Only days after college graduation, I'm realizing that my "occupation" is no longer "student." I will no longer be asked the questions, "What grade are you in?" "What year are you?" "What are you studying?" From now on it will be, "What do you do?" I will be identified by what I do, who I am, and that excites me so much. It also means that I am now an adult. There is no question about that. While in college you are still sometimes a kid, college student, almost there, kind of an adult but not really, etc. Now I am an adult, my occupation is missionary and teacher, and I am employed by God and who He has chosen to help me. I'm not gonna lie, that statement is super scary, but also really awesome. I couldn't have chosen a better person than our Lord and Savior to be my boss. He will never let me down, He will always come through for me, and with Him there is no set wage, He will provide what I need no questions asked. I know that if I have faith, this could be the most stress free, rewarding job in the world.
The Lord tells us many times to not worry.
He says Look at the birds! (yes God they are beautiful and carefree!)
I feed them, and don't you think you are more valuable than them? (valid.)
Do you think worrying will add an hour to your life? (absolutely not...)
So, why do you worry? (good question!)
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
I have felt like some version of an adult for a long time now. From the first time a child said "yes ma'am" to me, to being in charge of middle-schoolers at camp, to teaching sunday school, to leading groups into Mexico, and on and on.
That being said, I will always have people to look up to for advice and guidance: thank God for that. I would be lost without the people that have and continue to mentor me though life. I can be "in charge" when I need to be.
At the same time: recently, I caught myself skipping down the halls, at Samford one day, I raced Cara up the hill just because, I get scared when there are storms, and I am a baby when it comes to shots. In those moments, I am a kid through and through. I like to think I always will have that in me until my last day on Earth. So what makes us adults?
I've come to the conclusion that this conversation Jesus had with Simon Peter is the same one Jesus has with us. When we finally understand, when we finally take on the responsibility, is when we are adults: It takes place after Jesus helps the disciples from the shore catch fish in the Sea of Galilee. After they finished eating the fish they had caught:
"Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
... Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”
He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep."
John 21:15-17
Jesus commands us to feed his lambs, take care of his sheep, feed his sheep. If we love him, we should be happy to do this! I think that's what it means to become an adult. When we finally realize our purpose in life. We have been the lambs for so long, being fed and cared for. Now it is our turn to care for the lambs. Care for the children of God. Share with them why we love the Lord so much and why they should love Him too! So I can assuredly say I am an adult, saying "yes" to God's command. I am a teacher and a missionary and am so excited to help take care of the lambs. I also know that I will always be the girl who skips and giggles and is scared of shots. I know that I will always be a lamb too, being fed by those who have answered God's calling. Guys, if you love Him, feed His lambs and take care of his sheep! It's the most rewarding thing you could ever decide to do. Don't worry, He will take care of you, others will help you along the way, but you must help others. It's a command! When you are ready, say yes! I promise you it will be the BEST decision you ever make!
Some pictures from Graduation!
