Graduation

'Tis an interesting thing, is graduation. The idea of having finished something so time consuming like high school or college...and then it's over, and you "graduate."

Tonight I went to the graduation for TMC students out in Santa Clarita. It brought back so many memories of this day last year when I was the one walking across that stage to get my diploma and wearing the funny cap and gown. It's hard to believe that it's been a year since that day.

I remember being in college and thinking that three years would take forever and that graduating was a long way away. It ended up coming a lot faster than I thought it would, and now it's already another year later. And so much has happened since I graduated, I wouldn't even have thought it possible.

In my mind, graduation is just the fancy way of showing that you have completed something (like an amount of school or completing a degree). It's a symbol of accomplishment. For me personally, it meant finishing three years of study at The Master's College. Learning not only academic knowledge, but learning many life lessons. I learned so much in my time there, but I'd have to say that most of what I remember and still use today, is either what I learned about the Bible, or the lessons I learned about life. God used the time when I was at Master's to teach me some very valuable lessons, and ones I hope I never forget. So, when I walked across that stage, it wasn't just to show that I passed all my classes...it was also showing that I had made it through many challenges and life lessons those three years. I kind of think that was really the most important part of my college education...not the piece of paper that says I have a Bachelors Degree from The Master's College. One thing my dad used to tell me while I was still in college, "the piece of paper represents the fact that you persevered, were diligent, had a goal, and made it through." This was his encouragement to me when I was ready to give up and was having a really hard time. There was one semester I remember having such a hard time that I was thinking about quitting and never going back. It was the semester when my Uncle Chris died, I was taking 21 units, I was in four choirs, and I went on two choir tours. I wanted to give up so badly, I just got to the point where I didn't think I could do it anymore. But then Daddy so kindly gave me his "words of wisdom," I got back on track, God gave me the strength to persevere, and I was able to finish.

Anyway, just some thoughts I was thinking about graduating, college, and looking back on last year. Graduating from college is a great accomplishment, but I think what you take away from it is what is most important.