Hard to believe

I was sitting in new student orientation yesterday at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary (part of Cornerstone University). Tomorrow is my first official class on my way to my master's degree. As I sat there and listened to the speakers tell us all about how to use the library and get student ID cards and parking passes, I just thought - I can't believe I'm really getting the chance to do this.

I've wanted to go back to grad school for a long time, pretty much since I got my bachelor's degree. I always figured I would do it someday, but I wanted to get into a ministry first, get established somewhere. Maybe wait a year or two. Of course things don't always work out the way you think they will. A year or two became six and a half.

For the record, I believe this way is the best way. Get your undergrad, get into ministry for a few years, then go back for the masters. I know some people go straight from undergrad to grad school, spending 8 or so years in preparation before ever setting foot in a ministry role. I guess that works for some people, but I've also known a few who wish they could have done it differently.

I guess on the one hand it makes sense because it is easier to go to grad school when you don't have a family to support and a mortgage to pay. I get that. But it also seems like sometimes you get prepared for things that don't ever happen, and you don't get prepared for things that you end up doing every day. Maybe a good dose of reality is a good thing before pursuing further degrees.

In any case, I'm really excited to be where I am. 2007 is a brand new year for my family. I'm going to a new school, working on a new degree, working part-time at a new church, and perhaps Don Henley said it best, "Everything is different now."

It's another step along whatever this journey is that I'm on. Honestly, I still don't have a clue where I am ultimately headed. That's ok with me. I am simply grateful for the opportunities that are in front of me.