Missing school?

A friend of mine said to me on the phone the other day, "You know when there is a constant in your life, and you don't realize how much you love it until it's gone? And then, when you do get the opportunity to experience it again for a moment, when it's over, you go through a sort of postpartum depression?" Okay... that may not have been the EXACT quote, but you get the gist.

I never thought, at the time, that I would miss the daily grind of SCHOOL. Of all things to miss in life, I had to pick school. Really?

I miss walking around campus in wrinkled sweatpants and rain-spotted hoodies, with soggy socks sticking to my feet because I was too lazy to put on practical shoes that would keep them dry- and instead am wandering in my slippers from class to class. And even though I slept through that dreaded 8am class because I was up too late watching a movie, and even though I have a midterm this evening for a class in which I haven't even removed the plastic wrap from the textbook- I couldn't be better.

I know that today holds opportunity to run into a familiar, smiling face (or two or three) and grabbing a slice of American Dream pizza on Monroe between classes.

I know that today holds opportunity for new friends and acquaintances, and a chance to touch their lives with the love of Christ.

I know that today holds opportunity for direction to land in my hands and show me what to do for the rest of my life through something a professors says, through something I read in the Barometer, or through a fleeting thought that runs through my mind.

And if not today, then there's possibly tomorrow.

Campus life. I hate to say that I am going through withdrawals because really, I am so thankful to be done with the all-night study sessions, the cramming that comes with midterms and finals, and the crazy amount of effort that goes into scheduling just ONE meeting for a group project. But I do miss it, without a doubt.

Full-time-job-world is SO different. It has been teaching me a lot of new things, of course- things like diligence and responsibility, and the particular workplace I have for now is challenging me in things like compassion and patience. I have enjoyed growing in these areas so far, and know I will continue to learn as long as I am willing.

It is a different season of life, one that is still very new and takes adjusting, but it is by no means one I would pass up. Whatever the Lord throws my way, I want to take and run with for as long as He has me in it.

The spontaneity of skipping class just because I feel like going to the beach instead is no longer an option (at least for now), but the chance to mature and grow, learning from the real adults around me- that's a pretty good opportunity for today.