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.

This is my God.

This is my God.  Stop as I did this morning.  Ponder Him.

"Death is naked before God; Destruction lies uncovered. 

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;

He suspends the earth over nothing.

He wraps up the waters in His clouds,

yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.

He covers the face of the full moon,

spreading His clouds over it.

He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters

for a boundary between light and darkness...

And these are but the outer fringe of His works;

how faint the whisper we hear of Him!

Who then can understand the thunder of His power?"

Job 26: 6-10, 14

This is my God.

ready to jump. and fly.

Here I am. 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests before God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

I stand facing my last week of my undergraduate education at Baylor University.  And Monday is already almost done.  I really have no clear idea about what is next, but it is okay.  To think that only four years ago, I would have freaked out at the thought of not having a firm, fixed plan for the next year.  God has given me such an indescribable peace that really does transcend my understanding. 

The end of college is like standing on the edge of a cliff.  I am about to jump off as I graduate, and I have yet to know where I will eventually land.  The wonderful and most comforting thing about it all is that He has me in His hands.  I jump, but God will carry me.  To where, and how, for what, or why I do not know.  But I know He carries me just the same.

I went running yesterday.  It was great to run the Bear Trail and look at the outskirts of the Baylor campus.  It is truly beautiful.  I really am going to miss this place.  After taking a cold shower and folding my clean laundry, I lay down on my bed to rest for a second.  And as I rested there, I realized that I am ready.

And I really am.  I am now twenty-two years and ready to be myself in a whole new world.  I am ready to jump into His arms and trust Him to lead me ever onward.  I am ready to start my life, go places, meet people, make my dreams come true. 

It is time.  I am ready to jump.  I cannot wait to fly.