graduation.

Today I walked across a stage

After lots of anticipation.

After days, weeks, months, years

Of hard work, sweat, laughter, and tears

I am headed to a new destination.

Today my life turned a page

College chapter ends--conclusion.

After facing trials and challenges and fears

The future unknown, but exciting, nears 

It's time for a new introduction.

Today doors opened to my cage

Change comes, a new situation.

After time spent turning my gears

I turn to Him, for God steers

As I have finished graduation.

"...There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place." 

Deuteronomy 1:31

just finished.

I just finished my last final exam.

I ended my Children's Literature essay on the role of magic in fairy stories with this:
"The role of magic, and therefore the role of nature, in the story, and in life, is a direct reflection of the readers, and then writers, who take time to observe the nature surrounding them and then go one step further and give it new life."
Great last sentence for my last paragraph of my last essay on my last final exam for my last class in college.

And speaking of lasts...
On Wednesday, I used my graphing calculator for the last time. 
(Maybe forever.)
Then, Thursday brought the last honors course final exam ever.
Last night was my last night of studying.
And today, I finished my last final exam.
No tears.  If there were, they would be tears of joy.
Pure joy!

Accomplishment has never felt so good. 
All burdens lifted.
Everything finished.
Period. Statement. Declarative sentence.

Praise the Lord!

lasts.

There have been so many lasts in the past couple of weeks.  And there will be so many more lasts in the next two.

Last paragraph of last honors paper. 
Tears. Yes. Tears.
Last research paper.
Excitement.
Last lab report.
Pure joy.
Last Leadership Community meeting with Highland Baptist Church College Ministry.
Tears. Pictures.
Last Children's Literature class--my favorite class at Baylor.
Pictures. Sadness. Gladness.
Last day of class of my undergraduate education at Baylor University.
Custard with my roomies. Pictures. Nails done.
Last Sunday as official Greeter Servant Team leader at church.
Bittersweet passing of the torch to the amazing new leader.
Last coffee with special friends.
Tears.
Last Connection Group Bible study that I lead at my apartment.
Pictures. Laughter.
Last gathering of my Connection Group.
Lunch. Pictures. Tears.
Last hurrah with the small group I am in.
Dinner. Movie.  Laughter.

Many things are ending.  But that just means so many more things are beginning.  Life has gotten comfortable, too comfortable.  A dear friend of mine, who is a really cool person and who is also graduating, wrote this in a published article: "When a person starts feeling too comfortable in a place, it is probably a sign they need to leave."

It is time.  The old is getting old.   No, college life is not getting old in an it's-stale-let's-get-rid-of-it-this-second kind of way; it's just that it is the right time right now to bring in the new.

The hardest part of all these lasts is the people part.  God has richly and abundantly and exceedingly blessed my life with the dearest friends in the whole world.  I have not had to face too many "lasts" with people quite yet, but they are coming.  And I am sure the tears will be there too.

The wonderful thing about all these lasts is that they lead me to cling to my Lord.  He is the One who never changes, even though my life changes.  He is the One who is always there, even though I move to different places. 

No matter what I am doing or where I go, God is the One who lasts.  And lasts forever.
And He is the One who gives me such a peace as I slowly savor and enjoy each of my lasts.