“Senior moments” have taken on new meaning. I watch her with one foot in high school and one foot in college, balancing college application essays, SAT tests, auditions, and scholarship applications. Never mind that she has five AP courses and is trying to figure out what she really wants to be when she grows up. (Which is looking like about right now).
Is it any wonder she’s had a few meltdowns? From them, we’ve both learned two life lessons that will extend far beyond college.
Lesson One: all our college planning and plotting will never be enough, and that is a good thing.
How sad to leave no room for God to work in a situation. How daunting to think it’s all up to us: write a good essay, save enough money, make all the application deadlines. What a relief to have an obstruction— an obstruction only God can remove. And to Him be the glory!
Lesson Two: In the midst of the frenzy, remember our identity and self-worth needs to be in Christ.
In the midst of endless essays, Christine said, “I can’t do this, I’m not good enough. I am going to disappoint you.” But that’s not a self-image based on God’s view of her. I said to claim Scriptures to reprogram her thoughts. That exercise is a lesson for all of us in whatever stage of life. Grab a 3 x 5 card and write a verse on it to claim every time the negative thoughts threaten. Right now mine is, “Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” (Psalm 25:4-5). I can pray that over my senior!
And so as we wait and pray, we: 1. Acknowledge that God is sovereign and can do far more than we can in our human strength. 2. Let His words of love and affirmation wash over us and show us our high identity in Him.
And in these senior moments, I’m not too “senior” to learn these valuable lessons right along with my senior.
About Ann Stewart
Ann just won the Christy Award for Best Debut Novel of 2017 with Stars in the Grass, originated AMG’s Preparing My Heart series, and writes “Ann’s Lovin’ Ewe” for The Country Register. When she's not writing, she's waving her arms directing musicals, teaching middle schoolers, or watching UVA Basketball, This is Us, or Madam Secretary. In her free time she hangs out with her husband, raising two lovely daughters and a whole flock of fuzzy sheep on Skye Moor Farm, in Virginia--where unscripted drama provides plenty of entertaining material.
- Web |
- More Posts(57)
