I had not heard this song in probably three years, but it
has played on the radio at least three times since I’ve been home for Spring
Break. Coincidence? I think not. You see, I love music, and songs hit me harder
than almost anything, so I think this was God’s way of telling me, “slow down,
enjoy each moment, appreciate today for what it is. Allow yourself to be fully present
in this time and stop wishing for graduation, for summer, for your future job.
Stop stressing about needing answers for your future right now.”
So often, I’ve caught myself wishing for the weekend, looking forward to Spring Break, hoping to know what I’m doing once I graduate and impatiently waiting on answers. I’m way too excited for it to be summer already even though it’s only March that I so often fail to be fully present in the moment, to really live in the now. This semester I keep almost wishing this season of my life away because it’s a little uncomfortable dealing with the unknown. Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” The Lord has so graciously given me each day that I’ve selfishly wished away, trying to speed up time for my own pleasure. I’ve done way too little rejoicing and way too much whining, complaining, and worrying.
The reality of how fast life truly flies by keeps hitting me
as graduation gets closer. Last fall I always said, “oh I can’t believe how
quick my college career has gone by,” but I did not really understand the truth
in that statement or the gravity of it until very recently, probably this week
on spring break, really listening to that song. Each semester of college has
been special and unique, having its own extreme highs, and really low lows.
Some of my greatest memories have happened while at TCU. I’ve enjoyed four very
different football seasons, cheered on a phenomenal baseball team, met some
amazing people, and made friendships that will last a lifetime. Way too soon,
this chapter of my life will come to a close and I will be off to a whole new
adventure.
I am going to miss staying up way too late just talking and
laughing about life with my closest friends, learning about and growing in my
walk with Jesus with some of the most amazing ladies each and every week for
all four years of college, road tripping for football games, concerts, Easter,
and a bachelorette party, studying, surviving, and thriving with some of the
greatest future teachers out there, living with my best friends, etc. Because
all of this is going to come to a pretty abrupt end very soon (I don’t really
know how to prepare myself for it), it is so important that I “live in the
present, launch [myself] on every wave, find eternity in each moment,”
(Thoreau).
For all of you college seniors that are like me and getting a little antsy about graduation, wishing you would just have a job already, and forgetting to live for today, forgetting to love on those close to you, STOP. Refocus. “[Re]learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family Every minute should be enjoyed and savored,” (Earl Nightingale). Find joy in the little moments, say yes to dinner with your roommate, your best friends, even if it is the fourth time you’ve eaten out this week or you have a lot of stuff to do. You only get this time once, and you don’t get it back. Go on last minute adventures. Love your friends, family, and classmates better than usual. Really rejoice in the day the Lord has made.
You’re gonna miss this, and I am too, so let’s make the most
of it.
Yours truly,
Steph
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