Life After College

Tonight I started a new kind of class. I was emailed an address that led me to a random cul-de-sac in College Station, Texas to meet other Aggie seniors floating in the same boat as I currently find myself: quickly approaching graduation. We were welcomed into this immaculate home with walls full of windows by an elder couple who kindly greeted us, gave us name tags, offered desserts, then sat us down and encouraged us to share life experiences/goals for our lives in front of the group.

Funny how quickly you open up to people when there is chocolate involved. 

It was incredibly heartwarming to watch the couple interact with one another. They shared the story of how they met, their engagement, God's faithfulness, Army travels, and finally the bliss of the last 3o-something years of marriage. They joked about how the Mrs. initially asked the Mr. out instead of the traditional virtue of patience and laughed about how none of that mattered anymore as we youngins all just looked on in adoration of their obvious bond. She rubbed his back as he spoke of his past and he told us that she "lit up" his life. They spoke fondly of each other, naturally, without trying, and it was quite a sight that touched everyone in the room.

We went around the circle of couches one by one, introducing ourselves and saying why we had signed up to be in this particular study and what we hoped to get out of it.

When it came to be my turn I'm sure I had something witty to say but now, thinking back, I know the reason I have looked forward to this study. I signed up simply to be growing under a couple who has lived through the things they are teaching. I want to hear about marriage bliss or job hunting, or community. I want to hear of the woes and hardships and the live-in elderly mother sleeping in the room down the hall. I want to be told that it wasn't easy but trusting and pursuing God individually and together made it all worthwhile.

So after we each shared vulnerable pieces of our testimonies, the parts of our stories that occasionally have to be pried out of us because we aren't proud of them, we sat silently before a man who told us this:

"As a believer in Christ, you offer the world something special. You trust an everlasting God who will move mountains. You are valuable. I want you to leave this college experience with confidence, knowing we are there to answer any question you may have with honesty and knowing He has great things in store that are beyond what you can ever imagine. Your faith will change the world--leave here believing that!"

Suddenly, another bible study didn't seem like something else on an ambitious to-do-list. This living room became a place of safety, honesty, and encouragement and this couple-- sweet messengers of a powerful God, overflowing to a room full of eager, soon-to-be former college students.

I am so looking forward to the weeks ahead, Wednesday nights in-particular and plan to share as we go through various topics weekly, ultimately preparing us for 'Life After College'.

Stay tuned :)