A blessed college life

Another class…another paper…another test. Earlier this semester, in the midst of midterms and endless activities, I was growing more and more anxious to move on to new experiences. Now that I am less than a week from graduating, I find myself looking back and reflecting on everything that I'm going to miss. When doing this, I realized something. I've had it pretty good.

There are many things that I can say I was able to experience that many people can't. For example, I've been to two football bowl games, the Final Four in basketball, four all expenses paid weekend conferences to St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Tampa Bay, and Nashville courtesy of HELM and, come Saturday, I'll be able to say that the current President of the United States gave the commencement statement at my graduation. Yes, George W. Bush is coming to Stillwater, Oklahoma. Many students are thrilled and hoping for the chance to meet him, while many have started making their protest signs. Regardless if you are a fan or not, it will be cool to say the President was at your graduation which I will be able to do.

Among all my college experiences, the things that I have the most pride in and I am most grateful for are the many times God has worked in my life that have molded me into the person I am today. In short, hindsight is a wonderful thing. When experiencing tribulations, it can be confusing and hard to see what God has in store for us. Yet it never ceases to amaze me when looking back and seeing God's hand at work, directing my life. From choosing to come to OSU, joining my fraternity, deciding on my major, and dealing with everything from relationships to a major surgery, God has had a major part in it all.

College is a busy, fast pace time in life. It definitely does not seem like it has been four whole years from when I traded my own room, home-cooked meals, and family security for a house of seventy guys, late night pizzas, and self-reliance. Seems like only yesterday that my mom dropped me off and said goodbye with me oblivious to what was in store for me in the near future. In addition, I have a suspicion that life after college does not slow down much either.

In the fast paced world we live in, I know it will always be a struggle for me to continually give God the time and focus He so deserves. It was definitely a struggle in college. I encourage all those whose life seems like it never slows down (especially my college brethren), to continually take time out for God and strive to keep your focus on Him. After all, it is the past experiences in my life that God contributed to that I treasure the most. I hope that when anyone takes time to look back, they can see God's hand at work and say they've had it pretty good, too.