God took me where my results couldn't

2 Corinthians 12:9

At school I'd always been in all the top sets and got all As and A*s at GCSE level. I went on to do my A levels at one of the best colleges in London then left with AAB. However, when I got to uni things changed. It wasn't as easy to get the top grades. In the final year of my 4 year degree, I left a 4 and a half year relationship, lost my last living grandparent and my closest aunty who was in only in her 30s after a very short illness. This was all over a few months.

I was crushed and I didn't want to be at university anymore. I spoke to my mum about dropping out and just moving back home. To make matters worse, my final year was worth 70% of my pharmacy degree. I had a group project and didn't bother attending meetings because I felt so defeated. I did my fair share of work but couldn't stand facing people all the time. One of my group members scored me lower than everyone else on the presentation. This was also quite an important project. I knew I wouldn't be graduating with a first class degree but I had done all I could and I prayed for the best. On results day I found out I was awarded a 2:2 degree. Less than 1% off a 2:1 but because of my score in the group project they refused to change this or take anything else into consideration. I had appealed this with my university and lost. But God still gave me peace.

Through these hard times my relationship with God grew and I knew I wasn't facing all of this alone. My church acted as my family in Manchester and I felt comfort when I was in His house. Despite this, I still couldn't help but think that this degree would determine what jobs I could get, how much money I could make and what kind of life I would eventually have. I've only ever explicitly heard God speak to me a few times in my life. One of them was when I was on the train from Birmingham to see my sister, the day after I got my degree results, and He said to me 'I will take you where your degree can't'.

When I left uni I had no problem securing a pre-registration place where I had done a summer placement the year before. I passed my pre-registration exam on the first attempt and became a qualified pharmacist. After 8 months I was promoted to a pharmacist manager at 23 years old at the 2nd largest pharmacy chain in the U.K. The hours were long and I decided I wanted a change. God again placed me in a job as an editor for one of only 2 prescribing references in the UK. When I was ready to leave, I prayed again and God blessed me with two roles at once. One in Manchester and one in Berkshire. I'm loving my job now and I'm in a sector of pharmacy that is not very easy to get into, through a recommendation from a friend and a short 20 minute interview. Getting into this sector wasn't part of my plan for another few years. God has placed me in a top 20 pharmaceutical company where I haven't had to choose between a good salary and job satisfaction. Just with my 2:2 degree and a living graceful God.

Proverbs 3:5.

As Christians we need to understand that God does things in ways we don't think of. He can do things that we can't and even when our efforts aren't enough He will elevate us to levels that we can't get to ourselves. Trusting Him and letting Him guide our steps.