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Topic: Graduation (08/30/04)
TITLE: GRADUATION By Roberta Kittrell 09/04/04 |
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That was what it had been. She had been like a drowning person, going down for the third time to rise no more. Then, at what had seemed to be the last possible moment, the Lord had pulled her out from the mire; and, as He pulled, all the filth was fell away and was left behind. She had heard that the Lord Jesus Christ made all things new; now she knew full well.
God had put her through a crash course to grow her quickly to the point where He could then initiate His next planned major step with her. In less than six years, He had enabled her to go back to college, graduate, serve Him in mission work and church service, and then she had found herself at a seminary.
In many ways, the years between her entrance in the seminary and graduation had been like a refiner’s fire. There were misunderstandings between her and other students and infrequently between her and one or two professors. Many weren’t used to having as a student one whose life style had been that of the ones they hoped to reach for the Lord.
She had taken a 7-month leave when she took care of her dying father, handicapped mother, and grandmother who was exhibiting more and more signs of senile dementia.
Now that she had the responsibility for her mother and grandmother, she knew she couldn’t honor God if she abandoned them to the permanent care of others and go away to be a missionary. Also, she knew she couldn’t bring relocation trauma into the picture for them. So she completed her coursework delving into counseling and problems of aging.
That morning she had awakened, got dressed, and began loading her car with the remainder of her belongings prior to attending her graduation. Yes, she had made it; God had brought her through. None of her family had been able to come. But she had her diploma and a picture to show them.
Her friend Ann was riding to Florida with her and then would take the bus back home to Texas. Ann had been short a few credits and wouldn’t be able to graduate until December.
Finally, just as they drove away from the campus one last time, the graduate voiced her depression. “It’s all over with. I’m so sad. Why? Because I am a nothing! Up until a hour ago, I was a seminary student. You are still a seminary student. I don’t have a position or any job. I’m a nothing!”
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Looking back 25 years later, she knows that it wasn't over; that that was only the end of a chapter of a life left in God’s hands.”
### Roberta Kittrell copyright 2004