Backgrounds

Something that I find interesting about life is that you always learn something. For many years of our lives we go to school to learn. That is school's purpose, but I think the world and the experiences it holds are the best teachers. As I look back over the past few weeks I have been here, the things that stick out in my mind as things that have been learned are not academic.

I think what I've learned most is that people, no matter how similar they or their situations may be now, come from vastly different life experiences. I often take having similar backgrounds for granted. Most of the people I grew up knowing and spending time with have life-stories similar to mine: Christian, middle class, white, and often home schooled.

But moving to college threw me into the vast whirl-wind of people: people of all nationalities, life experiences, hopes, dreams, and desires. Each of these factors brings something to a group or a friendship that is clearly unique to them and them alone. I'm a firm believer that where you came from has a direct impact on the person you become. Getting to know some people's stories helps you to know who they are now.

Our life stories are meant to be shared. They can be powerful leveling mechanisms, and I believe God uses them to share Him with others. Don't be afraid of your past. It makes you who you are.

You do not need to know.

When I entered ninth grade, everybody kept asking questions like this:
"Where are you going to college?"
"What are you going to do with your life?"
"What job do you want?"

Little thirteen year old me was scared.  I did not know.  Am I supposed to know what to do with my life?

Those questions have been sitting in the back if my mind for the past two years.  I always felt a little inadequate because I did not know what I wanted to do with my life.

I went to Creation music festival this past summer, and met a woman named Susan.  She was running a booth for an art gallery.  We started talking, and somehow we got onto the topic of what I wanted to do with my life.

She kept talking, and every single thing that came out her mouth struck a deep chord in me.  She talked about how she never thought she was going to be an art curator when she was young.  She did not know where life was going to take her.

She did not know, but God knew.  He used all of her experiences to prepare her for this job. 

This gave me comfort and joy.  Comfort because, I do not need to know what to do with my life.  Joy because, God, the one who created Nelson Mandela, William Shakespear, and Billy Gram, knows what he is going to do with my life. 

I do not need to know because he does.

(Ps.  I will answer your question about predestination and free will, Lindy.  I just need some time to think about it.)

Beads

The front cover of the current issue of "Baily's Beads"

My English class this semester is entitled "Literary Editing and Magazine Production." Since I will probably end up in some sort of magazine work after graduation, I was extremely excited when I discovered it's title. A class entirely dedicated to the science of magazine making! (Call me a nerd, but I get excited over this sort of thing.)

However, it gets even better. The main portion of this class is actually comprised of editing and publishing the school's literary magazine, "Baily's Beads:" a magazine that has won several national awards.

I'm not entirely sure what my role will be in the creation of the publication. We only met for the first time today so I don't know how everything will work out. I know for sure that I will be on the promotion committee with some intensely creative people that I look forward to working with.

The most exciting part for me is being able to work with other people in my department. These are the kinds of people who I will someday share a workplace and a professional field with. The magazine is also opening up a whole field of opportunities for me to establish a network and meet people who make a living doing what I want to do. It gives me opportunities to share God-given gifts and talents.

While I still am feeling overwhelmed and disjointed, I'm looking forward for the rest of this semester. I feel like it has something special to offer. Something that, like a bead, will gleam brightly on my string of college semesters.