A New Beginning

New beginnings can be both terrifying and exhilirating, alot depends on the type of beginning we face. This past January, 2015, I returned to school after 32 years away. During my time away I raised four children, buried one of them, and lived a full life. After the wedding of our youngest child I was re-thinking my life; reimagining it, really. Having a degree isn't important to everyone but had long been a dream of mine. Now, I had the time and resources to finish what I'd started as a 19 yr old college freshman, as a 51 yr old returning student. I was both exhilirated and terrified at the prospect. My fears were:

1. What would the other students think of me? How would they react to my presence? I know this seems shallow, but there it is. Young people were scary to me! Even though I had children their ages, I was intimidated by the prospect of interacting with my classmates.
2. What if I couldn't do it? What if i wasted the time and money by failing? I know, this too seems shallow. I doubted myself and my abilities. I mean, it had been so long since I'd sat in a classroom! What if I couldn't do it? What if I embarrassed myself?

Well, I am pleased to report my classmates did not eat me alive, as I'd feared. Not a cannibal among them. They accepted my presence and I found interaction with them to be encouraging and enlightening AND I am progressing with a 4.0 grade point average.

So, what of my fears? They proved to be unfounded, as many of our fears are. I am about to begin my Fall classes, on August 25, and I find myself facing the prospect with anticipation.

God says in His word, "In quietness and trust is my strength found". I can rest in Him, in all the many ways that life changes around me, because He is the unchanging constant of my life.

Peace to you, dear Reader.