As I began my journey as a college student, I was unsure about Greek life. I knew I wanted to join an organization, but I had seen the movies and heard all of the stereotypes. I was scared that joining a Greek organization would pull me away from my faith. I thought that my morals would not be important to the sorority girls who I assumed only wanted to party. I have never been more wrong. I walked around campus the weeks before recruitment and I was surprised to see women encouraging each other instead of tearing each other down. I saw women working hard for their community and coming together for common causes. I saw women who praised God together and I knew I wanted to be a part of what they had.
In the fall of 2014, I made the best decision of my college career thus far; I signed up for formal sorority recruitment. Every one I met proved all of the stereotypes wrong. When I became a woman of Alpha Omicron Pi, I knew that God was behind it. The women I now share my letters with are my encouragers, my mentors, and my best friends. These women have shown me that having letters and having a strong faith are two things that can certainly coexist.
Your college years are supposed to be the best of your life, but of course everyone’s idea of making the best of four years is a little different. I am glad to have sisters who want to walk close with God during this time. That is the wonderful thing about AOII; we might not agree on absolutely everything, but we all have one thing in common and that is our sisterhood. As my sisters, they hold me accountable. They tell me when I am out of line and help me get back on track.
Growing in your faith during college is definitely not an easy thing to do. Temptations surround you constantly and peer pressure is at an all time high. It is very easy to stray away from your morals. Especially when you no longer have your parents setting rules and regulations. You are on your own and staying strong in your walk with God can be tough at times. It’s important to have some one to hold you accountable for your actions. AOII gave me over 100 accountability partners.
The women I call my sisters are the ones who I sit with at church every Sunday morning. We make it a priority to wake up earlier than normal once a week to grow in our relationships with Christ. They are also the ones who I dedicate my Tuesday evenings too. We attend our church's college ministry to strengthen our faith and we have fun doing it. We also clear the calendar for Wednesday nights when we meet for our small group Bible study. We are constantly praying for each other, looking out for each other, and holding each other accountable.
Society says my sorority sisters are the girls I party with, but I am telling you that my sisters are the girls I worship the King of Kings with. I cannot imagine where I would be without their love and support.
Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Alpha Omicron Pi gave me women that are constantly sharpening me and shaping me into the woman I want to be.
