If I could graduate again...my Top 10 pieces of advice

What an exciting time! Your first piece of independence. No one there to tell you to go to sleep (or wake up!)! I was in your shoes not so very long ago. Looking back there were a few things I wish I had done differently....here are some little bits of advice from my journey.

10. Study abroad if you can. Go on a mission trip if you can.  Not everyone can do it - but I am amazed as I look at resumes today how many graduates of college have spent time in other counties. 90% of the resumes I see have some time abroad. If you get the chance - don't waste the opportunity to share the good news! It will also help you appreciate what you have and where you live.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost" Matthew 28:19

9. Find a way to make a difference. It doesn't matter what city you are in - there are needs.  My sweetest memories were spent in a 2nd grade class in Tuscaloosa with little kids who couldn't wait to see me each week! Finding your place to serve will help you in many ways - it is rewarding, it needs to be done, it relieves stress, it can help uncover your gifts and you have less free time. (Also a great item for any resume)!
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for The Lord and not for man." Col 3:23

8.  Call home at least once a week.  Your parents have spent 18 years pouring every minute and dollar into you. Honor their gift and call them! Share what is happening - Share how they can pray for you. You need to be reminded of where you came from and they need to know they did a good job raising you! Call them!
"Honor your father and your mother." Eph 6:2

7.  Put your Bible by your bed.  You are much more likely to open it if you can see it. Don't put it on the bookshelf. Put it by your bed. It has served you well before you got to college and it will serve you well now. Keep it where you can see it. Then open it!
"Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Pam 119:105

6.  Join a team or a club.  This one goes without saying. You know it's true. Idle time is not good. Find a group that you share a passion and share an interest.  These people will help hold you accountable.  Dance team, a sport, math club - it gives you a place to fit it. It will help minimize your free time.
"The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied."  Prov 13:4

5.  Be a good friend. You will meet lots of new people. You will make lots of new friends (See #2).  Sometimes all you have is your reputation.  Have people be able to count on you.  Be trustworthy. Trust is very difficult to regain once it has been lost.  Be kind. Some of my biggest regrets come from short sided decisions and being a poor friend.  Be kind.
"A friend loves at all times." Prov 17:17

4.  Don't drink and drive and don't ride with anyone who does.  I couldn't do a list without this.  Value your life and that of other people.  You will feel invincible- just this one time- it isn't that far....it only takes one time.  Do not put so little value on your life to end it over alcohol.  One more thing - you can never get addicted to something you never try.  You may see things you've never even drempt of - just leave it alone.
"Be not wise in your own eyes, fear The Lord and turn from evil." Prov 3:7

3.  Choose your friends wisely.  You are from a small town.  Your parents know their parents. Now, you will encounter people who you have no idea what the back story might be.  Be cautious as you build new friendships and relationships.  A good place to start is with #1!
"I thank my God every time I remember you." Phil 1:3

2.  Your decisions while you are in college DO matter.  Some of them will shift the direction of your life forever.  Make sure you are not making short sided decisions that will alter your life in a negative way.  Have fun! Enjoy your independence. But, realize your decisions will follow you.  So think wisely! A quick decision can have lasting implications.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts." Psalm 139:23

1. And finally....the mistake I regret most from my first week of college. Get Up and Go to Church! Do it that first Sunday! I was sitting in a dorm where I could walk to church and could see the church steeple from my dorm - but I slept in. I missed a great opportunity to see who might have been some of my best friends. (Because they were bold enough to get up and go to church without anyone telling them to do it!) You've likely gone to church the better part of your life - don't stop. Keep the habit! You will need The Lord now more than ever! You will face new challenges, new friends, new stress. Can't think of a better place to start!
"Commit your way to The Lord, trust in Him and He will act." Psalm 37:5

Lord,
I lift up this year's graduates. Cover them with a hedge of protection. Open their hearts and urge them to seek You on their own.  Surround them with friends that will point them to You.  May their light shine so that others may be brought closer to You.  Give them the words to say when they are confronted with new challenges.  Give them strength when the devil seeks to tempt them.  Comfort their parents as they miss their children.  For those of us who still have time - point us to those instructions to fill their heart and mind so that they might glorify You.
Amen

Being A Duck

If you have been on a team or in the professional world, chances are you have done a personality test at some point.  I've done dozens over my career. While the "character" might change slightly - one thing has remained the same....I am a Duck.

Consider what that means to be a duck....to our eyes they glide across the pond. It looks effortless and beautiful.  What our eyes miss is happening below the surface. Their feet paddling urgently to make that journey.  They are working so hard - but it looks easy on the surface.

I can only assume I was born a duck, since I have an identical duck sister :) It became very obvious early in my career when I would come to work at 8:30 and be ready to leave at 5:00 and not miss a deadline. Those who know me we'll also know I can count on one hand the lunches I've missed over those 21 years.  One manager asked, "How do you do it? You work so efficiently and make it look easy!" I hated to confess that I was a duck. That's what ducks do!

Being a Christian "duck" can also come with challenges. When outsiders see your life they may only see the surface.  Being a transparent Christian I seek to show who it is that is making that glide look easy. If I did not have Christ giving me the strength to make that journey I would have no hope.  "Ducks" May also be tempted not to ask for help because that shows weakness.  That temptation to "handle it" can happen with humans and with Christ.

I have realized even recently how unproductive it is for any personality type to keep those struggles from The Lord.  Do I truly think I can handle something that He can't? I imagine He is quite amused when I pretend I've "got this".

I have never slept.  J always chalked it up to part of being a duck. I convinced my husband that women are just wired differently. One night I got up, so that I wouldn't wake him, and went downstairs. I started reading old prayer journals as I was sitting there so frustrated about not sleeping. Guess what - not one single prayer for help with my sleep. I knelt down beside the sofa and cried out to Him. Ashamed that I was trying to handle this without even asking for help.  You can guess what came next - the best nights sleep I have had in years.

Lord, thank you for making me aware of my trait to make this life look easy.  Thank you for revealing the areas in my life that I have kept to myself. Thank you for urging me to be transparent enough to show my faults and struggles. My faults and struggles allow You to be the one and only one helping me glide. Amen

Psalms 57:2 "I cry out to God Most High. To God who fulfills His purpose for me."