Finals are over, dorms are empty and the Class of 2016 is getting ready to walk across the stage in one final salute to the last four years of college. Every time I get on Facebook or Instagram, I see another picture of someone in their cap and gown getting ready to take on the world and I can’t help but think one thing:
That should be me.
Four years ago, I graduated high school and set out for college in pursuit of that coveted degree. I had a great plan to graduate from Colorado Christian University in four years with a degree in youth ministry.
But that didn’t happen.
One study abroad program, two school transfers, and a semester off later, I’m still at least one year away from earning my journalism degree at Corban University.
It’s funny how things change.
Honestly, I’m having a really hard time watching the people I started this journey with four years ago walk across that stage and start their lives in the “real world.” Soon they’ll all get jobs, move to bright new cities and discover a world of opportunities right at their fingertips.
It feels like everyone I know is moving on to bigger things and I’m just stuck.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t regret anything I’ve done in the last four years. In fact, even though changing my path a million times slowed me down I think I’ve finally ended up where I am supposed to be. I think I am finally where God wants me.
But I still can’t help but feel like I’ve fallen behind in life.
So what do you do when God’s plan for you means letting your peers grow while you stay still? How are you supposed to be content where you are when they all get to move on? The truth is I’m not really sure, but I have an idea.
Be thankful for where you’ve been.
Sure, I could’ve stayed in Colorado, majored in youth ministry, graduated in four years and I would probably be just fine, but I would’ve missed out on so much. I would never have spent the night under the stars in the Australian outback, watched the sunset on the water in Santa Monica or seen the way the sun shines through the clouds after a hard Oregon rain. I wouldn’t have found a passion for writing, met the people I love so dearly or learned that sometimes all you really need is to just go home.
So maybe I’m not so behind after all.
I’ve experienced a lot in the last four years and learned more than just what I read in my textbooks. And if the choice had to be made between being up to speed with my peers or living the crazy life I’ve lived for the last four years I would choose my experiences every time. The truth is, I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t taken my time and done things my own way.
And I’m so thankful for the person I am today.
So if you’re ever feeling like you're falling behind in life or like the people you love are moving on without you, just remember that sometimes, we have to take a back road to find where we belong.
And maybe for right now, you’re right where you’re supposed to be.
