9/02/2010

It'll all be over far too soon...

Senior year, so far, is unlike any other.

I was sitting in P Chem on Tuesday (Physical Chemistry, for those of you wondering), laughing and joking around with JT and my classmates, when I got really, really sad. I was pensive as JT reviewed the syllabus. Never again will I have classes as laid back as this. Never again will I be in a class where we all openly make fun of each other. Never again will I have a project where the object is to find God in thermodynamics. (Never again will I have a class where the main topic is thermodynamics.) I realized that I am going to miss this.

Yesterday, convocation took the place of a normal chapel. Unlike most students, I actually enjoy convocation and love having all the professors there with us. After a simply beautiful prayer by one of the professors, we sang Be Thou My Vision with the organ and trumpet leading. I had goosebumps and nearly cried as I heard a large portion of the student body singing along. I'm not a huge fan of supertraditional church services, and I usually could do without the organ. This, though, was breathtaking. The speaker (VP of Northeastern Seminary) challenged us to listen to the calling of God upon our lives. He posed this question at the end: What would happen if, for a week, we each wore t-shirts that declared what we are living for? If, right across the front, mine said, "Money" or "Looking cute" or "Getting A's" -- would I try to hide it? The message itself was convicting, but I couldn't help but think the whole time that I won't experience the overwhelming presence of God like that at any grad school I attend. I realized that I am going to miss this.

So far this week I've spent quality time with incredible friends of mine, two of whom have graduated and are moving many, many miles away. I've had more meetings than I can count. I've been intentional about getting to know new students. My binders aren't organized. I have a ridiculously long to-do list. Bowls and cups are multiplying in the kitchen sink. A stack of miscellaneous papers sits on my desk, waiting to be filed. Clean laundry has taken up residence on the couch.



But you know what? Who cares?!
I have my entire life ahead of me to wash dishes and file papers and put away laundry. Relationships cannot wait.
And they will not wait any longer.

Because the truth is, I am going to miss this.
It'll all be over far too soon.