I Walked

Today was graduation.  It’s official; I walked the stage to receive my diploma, be hooded, and received my honor cord for Magna Cum Laude.  I had many friends walked the stage as well.  The speakers at both the Baccalaureate and the Commencement ceremony were great.  It was as though they were speaking directly to me; their messages were so in line with where my life is right now.  I was truly amazed, and it is now sinking in that they were signs for me, signs to reassure me that I am doing what God wants me to do right now.  I feel so humbled.

This will make more sense if I explain a bit about my philosophy of life.  I’ve followed this philosophy for as long as I can remember.  I have free will, and I can do whatever I want to do, but things will go a lot easier if I follow the path the Lord has set out for me.  When a door is opened, I need to pay attention and go through it while it is there, if not, the path is likely to get pretty rocky.  I know this, because I’ve travelled that rocky road a couple of times.  I’ve learned to watch for, listen to, and understand the signs that are sent my way.  Life is a journey in which I travel through, and each experience I have had prepares me in some way for the next one to come.  The path I am to follow isn’t always easy, and during those times I get extra support.  God has a purpose for me, this I know, but I also know I will probably never truly understand what it is, not while I dwell here on earth anyway.

Last Sunday, I went to church with my parents at a little Methodist church in Medina.  The preacher was talking about death.  He asked us if we knew how long we had on the earth.  I knew the answer to that, but I didn’t tell him.  Learning that answer is part of everyone’s journey through life, at least that is what I believe.  We can be told by people, and I’m sure my philosophy is not new or unique, but I do think that we have to learn it not just in our heads, but also in our hearts and souls.  I’ll be here on this earth until I’ve fulfilled the role God has set out for me.  I have no idea when that time will be up, nor do I really care, I just suspect it’s a ways away.  Even still, I work to make sure my soul is ready any day, that’s just the way I am I guess. 

Yet, today I walked; I walked the stage for graduation.  A chapter of my life’s story has ended, or perhaps I should be saying my next journey has begun.  When I’m done, God will let me know, I only have to listen and pay attention.

The next chapter of my life starts kind of like this…

Recently graduated from College the single mom of two, has just moved into a little place in the country. Her oldest daughter graduated from high school yesterday and is already embarking on a life of her own, her youngest daughter is still in elementary school.  She has this truly awesome job, but it is part time.  She will have to struggle to get by until she can work full time again, but it will all be alright, she has her best friend right next to her, by her side.  She’s walking hand in hand with Jesus Christ as she embarks on this latest journey in her life.