Women at the Well: The Heart of a Graduate Student
Editor’s Note: Women at the Well is an ongoing blog series. Each month, a different woman shares how God is meeting her in her current season of life. Today, we’re thrilled to have Chelsea Smith joining us to talk about her walk with God as a graduate student.
Tell us a bit about yourself, your current vocation as a graduate student, and your normal daily routine.
I am 23 and currently a second-year graduate student at UNC Chapel Hill. I am working to get my PhD and studying breast cancer. I have been in North Carolina for about a year and a half now and have been working on making it a home. I adopted a puppy a year ago, who has become the best part of grad school! I am very close with my family back in Pittsburgh, and have also taken on long distance with my boyfriend of 6 years. I also struggle with multiple chronic illnesses, which make life much more unpredictable!
On a normal day, I wake up and spend some time cuddling my puppy before we get moving. I get ready, take him on a short walk, and head into the lab. I spend most of my day on the bench, where I am conducting experiments, growing cells, and reading papers. I also spend time on my classwork. Once evening hits, I’ll head home, eat some dinner and spend time with my dog, and then depending on the day, attend Bible Study, call my family, or have me time at home where I will craft, read, or catch up on some YouTube videos.
If we look closely, we see the hand of God working in our lives. How is Jesus reaching out to you right now, in your current season of life?
Moving to a new state where I knew no one was extremely difficult, not to mention in the middle of a pandemic. Also, I went through some of the hardest moments of my life, losing two of my grandparents. I had never experienced a pain like the grief of losing them, and had no idea who I could turn to for comfort when I was so far away from everyone I loved. I eventually started praying that God would bless me with not just any friends, but friendships that would truly fill the void I had being so alone in my new state. He soon answered these prayers with an abundance I didn’t expect! He blessed me with the opportunity to lead a bible study that has turned into one of the most beautiful groups of women who are dedicated to growing in their faith. My life quickly shifted from many nights alone, to having many plans and friends who were always willing to spend time together.
What truths about yourself has the Lord been revealing in prayer? How does acknowledging these truths in your heart affect your vocation in life?
Through prayer, I have learned that I really like to be in control of my life and where it is going. All my life, I had plans that I was determined to stick to, for example working towards getting into graduate school. I am starting to realize that what God has planned for my life is much greater than anything I can plan for myself. Acknowledging this gives me something to work on as I enter the second half of my graduate school and then also begin to consider where I will be going after I graduate. I have felt God is encouraging me to let go of some of my control and life planning tendencies, and instead allow him to direct my life.
Tayler Crabb, @taylercrabb.
How has encountering Jesus in prayer radically changed your life? What fruits do you see manifested in your day-to-day that flow from encounters with Him?
My life was radically changed about four years ago, when attending my first retreat. The retreat was focused on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and we spent hours in adoration, just being in God’s presence. At the end of the final night, I had an experience that could only be explained by God sending His Holy Spirit. During adoration, I suddenly heard “Corinthians 12.” Later that night, I was able to look in my Bible and realize, that is the passage of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and I knew I had just received them.
This experience in prayer allowed me to begin to root myself in my faith. Life quickly went back to normal after the retreat, but the fruit of joy was something new to me. I had never before realized the difference between joy and happiness, and for the first time I felt joy in even the hardest moments. Since then, whenever I am struggling and take it to prayer, I soon find joy in something small, and my mindset is changed.
It can often be easy to fall into the trap of discontent in our specific vocations. What has been bringing you peace lately? Do you have any habits, hobbies, or self care practices which fills your heart with peace?
This is for sure something I struggle with! It’s easy for me to question my choice to go to graduate school, when I see many friends with “normal” jobs, getting married, starting families, or still living near all their family and friends. When I feel this, I have found a few things that help me are, spending time with the women of my bible study, many of which are in similar seasons of life, spending time quietly in God’s presence in the church, and attending confession. I have found discussing my discomfort in my current vocation during confession to be very healing for me.
Some other hobbies that really can bring me peace when I feel discomfort include working out, going for a long walk and enjoying the beautiful parks near me, and also something I picked up more recently, embroidery.
What words of encouragement would you like to pass on to a woman facing the same choices and challenges as you?
I would encourage other women to follow where they feel God calling them, despite the fear. I was terrified of leaving home and going to a new state where I knew no one for grad school, but I knew in my heart God was asking me to. Not forcing me, but I could tell He was pulling me there. Taking that jump despite the fear will always be worth it. Also, don’t be afraid to ask God for what you need. If you lack fruitful friendships, ask Him for that, and give Him all control of making it happen. I have been surprised over and over at how He provides when you ask.
Meet Chelsea Smith
Chelsea is currently living in North Carolina and pursuing a PhD in cancer research. She grew up outside of Pittsburgh, PA, and lived in the city for four years while in undergrad, and Pittsburgh will now forever have her heart! Growing up, she was a competitive dancer, and she now loves trying to find other ways to stay active and healthy (including paddle board yoga!). She is passionate about her family, her goofy puppy, chronic illness advocacy, and the pro-life movement.