There will be other July 4th's, yes, but none in 2014 ever again. For all of history!
Think about that for a moment, just really think.
.... #mindblowing #timegoes2fast #treasuretime
Haha I just thought I would put some hashtags in there ~ but I actually don't even have a twitter lol ;)
That's not the point ~ but, our nations' birthday is. What a glorious nation God has blessed us with! Truly, we have been blessed.
Entering senior year means, for me, thinking about college. I am not one of those people that thinks everyone must go to college, but now that I have decided upon my career choice, it is one that needs some college training! Therefore, I have decided to go to college. (My mom is praying that #2 choice works out over #1, since #2 is in Missouri and #1 is in Texas ;)
Anyway, as many of you probably well know, going to college is an extremely expensive ordeal. Even if I worked 40-hour weeks for two years (age 16-18), after taxes I wouldn't actually have enough left over to cover tuition, room, board, and various expenses. Wow. I was getting discouraged: WHY is it such a pain to go to college? Scholarships, grants, room, board, tuition, FAFSA (I am still unsure what that is...? Thank the Lord I am blessed with a good guidance counselor!)
It's enough to give even the hardest head a headache. (I should know ;)
As I was getting frustrated, the Lord gently reminded me of something. I have the freedom, the opportunity, to pursue college. Even the fact that I will have a high school degree next year means that I will be more educated than most of the world.
WOW.
What. A. Blessing.
It'll take work to go to college, but I have the opportunity. It'll take money to go to college, but I have the opportunity.
What Freedom ~ what Blessings!
Some people seem to think that Freedom means free stuff.
Actually, the only thing of real value in the history of the world that is free is Salvation.
Besides, that, even freedom doesn't come free.
I shall re-state: Some people seem to think that Freedom means free stuff. I think (and call me out of I am wrong) that Freedom means opportunity.
Thomas Edison said, "Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
Scripture says, "All hard work leads to profit."
I have been pretty much handed a high school education. (Yes, I had to study. But I didn't have to work 40 hours a week to earn money for books or fees: my parents did that for me. Yes, I had to be responsible to do my assignments. But who taught me to be responsible? My parents, who were also teaching 5 other children at the same time.) I would say getting my high school education has been "a piece of cake" (to borrow the phrase) compared to what the early advocates for education went through.
Yes, I have been handed a high school education.
So, I do have to admit, when I first thought of college I thought of it as a "right". I should have known that what I always tell others would come back and remind me:
With every right comes a responsibility.
I will admit, "Work" doesn't exactly make me jump up and down in excitement... but I do enjoy most work (usually once it's over. Mowing the grass isn't a "5-star Activity", but the sense of accomplishment after mowing the whole lawn, recording 30 minutes of exercise, and getting a tan all add up to a positive perspective on work! ;)
I have the Freedom to pursue college ~ of MY choice, in MY career choice! Therefore, I do not expect to be handed a college education, I will work for it. Honestly, you treasure it more if you've worked for it.
Lord, give me the guidance to know which roads to work towards!
Booker T. Washington reminds us, "Success is to be measured not so much by the position one has reached in life as by the obstacles he has overcome."
(Looking at college costs and logistics, overcoming that without having a bald head from pulling your hair out is success, right?? lol)
Being free and having responsibility sure beats being handed the moon if you haven't worked for it ;)
(You are all free to remind me of this later when I whine about some various obstacle.... which will inevitably happen...
Happy July 4th, dear readers!