Two Years Later

Life is funny sometimes.

I have a few friends who are graduating from high school tomorrow. I’ve been hearing about their Senior Prom, seeing pictures from the Senior BBQ and Grad Practice…all the things I did just two years ago. I look back and I can’t believe how much has happened in two years. I feel so far from that girl who graduated from Foothill on June 12, 2008.

Praise the Lord.

The change has been good. It’s helped me grow and got me where I am today. Senior year seems like a lifetime ago. And when I think about the fact that I’m seven years older than people starting high school, it sounds like a lifetime ago. But I loved those four years. I took some of my best classes to date, I had the most amazing group of friends, I learned so much academically, spiritually, emotionally.

Seeing all those Senior BBQ pictures inspired me to go back and look at my own. I totally remember that night. I remember thinking how much I would miss it. I still do sometimes. My first year and a half of college was the hardest of my life and I remember wishing for high school. Wanting to be surrounded by the friends who had become family. Wanting to be close to the people I loved.

Although I still miss it, I no longer wish for those days. They were wonderful, but the Lord has done a good work in me. He has brought me so much closer to Himself and that is the best thing. It’s all I want right now.

When I look back, I praise God for all the blessings He’s given me. Tangibly: being able to afford a private university, friends He provided at APU, going to Europe last summer, studying abroad in South Africa, deeper relationships with high school friends. Spiritually: growing closer to Him, growth from trials and pain, a deeper desire for His Word. I know I’m in a better place than I was the day I graduated.

It’s funny…you usually don’t expect your life to be this epic story. When you start to date someone, you have no idea what it will become and how much you’ll grow from it. I didn’t know that going to APU would lead me to South Africa, which was the best four months of my life. You don’t expect these decisions you make to have these life-altering outcomes. But they do. Which is why it is so important to run to the Lord and ask for wisdom. He does know how important these decisions are and desires the best possible outcome for us. It’s really quite amazing, when you really stop and think about it.

All I can say is praise the Lord He is in control and not me. Because right now, I know I’m exactly where I should be. The Lord brought me here. And I’m so thankful.