New

There is a great deal to look forward to this week. I begin my final class on Wednesday and I start a new job tomorrow. My new position is still at the credit union where I am already employed, but now, I will be in management at another location. This branch is literally two minutes from my home. I am almost giddy about it. I get to learn new things, still go to my class (at an inconvenient time), and most of all meet and work with new people.

As I mentally prepare to move from my current position and the people I have worked with for the last 14 months, I am praying that I have made some impact on them for the Kingdom. How can I be sure? I think that maybe I'll write each of them a note that clearly explains who I live for and how important it is for them to choose who or what they will serve in this life. Yes, that's what I'll do. Tonight I will begin praying about what precise words will be in each note and I will urge God to prepare their hearts to read my Love note.

Now, as for the new co-workers I will be seeing each day in the future, they are my new mission field. God has provided a spectacular opportunity and I am certain He will open doors for His Name to be magnified.

LORD, let me be Your light.

Commence

Today is a big deal for me. I will actually fulfill one of my most desired achievements, graduation from the University. Today I will walk across a stage and accept a diploma (I know it's really empty, but it will be coming soon) that signifies that I have earned the honor of saying I have a Bachelor's Degree from a University.

The timing is perfect. Our youngest child is graduating from high school and will embark on a new phase of her life. This allows me to walk into a new phase of my existence. I am completeing this challenge only to begin a career. No doubt the possibilities that will present themselves to me in the next few weeks will be exciting and take much effort. I am ready. The ceremony is not lost on me. The symbolism of walking to the other side of the stage, accepting the weighty diploma and exiting the platform with a new sense of responsibility and duty is exciting. Now, rather than a single vision of parenting and all other things taking second place, the roles are switched. Those relationships with my children are still paramount, just different. Just how transformed is yet to be seen. I anticipate only excellent rapport with my new adult progeny.

How can one day make such a difference in my life? Because it isn't about today, it's about the 130 hours I earned through the years that allow me to take part in today's commencement.

Ok. I'll quit musing. Let's just get on with it!

What I've Learned

It's been one year since I began working outside my home and decided to go back to school full time. I must admit everything, yes everything, is different. My friendships, my family relationships, my housekeeping, and even my expectations for the future. Each paradigm I ever held dear, we might even call them ideologies, have changed. The transformations have not taken place without pain. It was time for the revolution, I didn't go willingly, but now I know it is all for the best.

I have learned:

I am only human. (This is really more of a reminder) This simple principle is reflected in the fact that I cannot please everyone, all the time. I have to prioritize and be satisfied with my choices.

Some friendships were relationships of convenience not intimacy. Some still continue to seek me out and keep up with me because they genuinely care for me and my future. This was a difficult and painful process.

I love learning. School has been an experience I will remember with great fondness. I hope I never quit exercising my brain and acquiring knowledge.

I always want to make time to serve God, family, and others no matter how busy and stressful life may get. This is where real fulfillment takes place.

I have put what I always believed I would be in the future away and I never again want to put my future in my own box. I want to follow, willingly and passionately, God's path for me. I will make plans and prepare for the future, but be ready for whatever God presents.

What I have learned is that learning never has to cease.

LORD, let me always be ready to learn.

Mother's Day

Somehow, each Mother's Day, I always conclude the day reminiscing about the day's events. Today was no different. My memories of today will include

An aromatic, perfect cup of coffee with Husband first thing this morning...
Life Group (Sunday School for us old timers) with friends...
Worship and teaching with my corporate church...
Lunch with my in-laws...
An enjoyable and enteraining dance recital (Granddaughter was the finest, of course!)
A visit with my Granny...
Home again...

Husband and I thought we would have an uneventful day of naps and relaxation since we had all our children and grandchildren over last night to celebrate the mothers in our family. Instead, every moment was filled with relationships, communication, and sharing our lives with others that are dear to us.

I wouldn't want it any other way!