I was standing in the parking lot last Tuesday talking to my friends Brian and Joe. Brian, like me, is a graduating senior and will be off to the University of Southern Mississippi to continue his education. Joe, on the other hand, just finished his second year at Detroit. He will be coming back next year, reuniting with old buddies and chatting about all the fun things he did during the summer. When he leaves for the semester break, it will be with the knowledge that he will be returning in September. He does not have to worry about goodbyes (perhaps permanent) and butterflies (about what lies ahead).
I'm starting to realize that it's done. This has not been the easiest feeling to grasp. For the last 17 summers, I have left school with the understanding that I would be back in three months. This meant that I never really had to say "goodbye," but rather "I'll see you soon."
It's different now. When I'm saying farewell to some of my friends for the summer, I must be cognizant of the fact that I may not see them for a very long time. This leaves me with great sadness, but this isn't going to be a post about how things are changing and how undesirable these changes can be. Rather, I want to embrace the new opportunities!
The most ardent readers of this space will likely notice that this improved view on life is a departure from my previous attitude. Let us look at how this change (or footsteps towards a change, as I am nowhere near being fully prepared for the future) came about. I graduated this past Saturday. As I was doing anything but counting down the days, I got to thinking about how apathetic I felt about the whole situation. I did not want to leave my comfort zone. I figured that it was silly and impractical to change after 17 years of doing the same thing. I felt woefully unprepared for whatever lies ahead. I was, for all intents and purposes, on Tilt.
When I awoke on the morning of graduation, I was greeted by a card. It was of the standard variety and bore a congratulatory message on the outside. Inside, however, I was judiciously reminded by a handwritten note that I am, in fact, ready for the unforeseen. It got me thinking, as will inevitably happen in such events. I concluded that I can look at change in one of two ways: either I could cower from it on my own, or approach it courageously with the help of the Lord. Why would I go against my Savior?? He will never forsake me! I know this to be true and cling to this when things seem dire. I needed Him again, and He picked me up for the umpteenth time.
I was listening to "The End" by The Doors. After spending some time getting lost in the music, I realized that the song could be construed to conincide with my life. I got to "THE END," and now I must choose which DOOR to open. There are many choices, but only one is held open by God.
I've been reading Genesis lately. God led Abraham through one uncomfortable circumstance after another. He was told to leave his homeland, sit idly by while Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, and kill his own son. Abraham did not question the infinite wisdom of the Lord, and was blessed immeasurably. The Lord did not put Abraham through anything he could not handle, nor did He leave Abraham to face life alone. We can all take comfort in this truth. God has us in His hands.
