Real Gurl Goes to College: SECOND TERM. Can I Really Do This?

The beginning of the second or winter term happened to coincide with the sudden need to move.  It was a stressful time to move and start another semester.  My very wonderful family, friends and life group came through and helped me get packed, moved and settled.  As I started the first week of the term under the clouds of pressure, I got scared.

The old voice loves to chime in at these times. 

"See?  First term was just a fluke.  You knew you couldn't do this.  Who did you think you were anyway?  Maybe you should just get out now."

I battled through the first week and then came my resolve:  I would drop Algebra II, the class that needs most of my attention, and replace it with something less homework driven.  I would pick up the math again in the spring.  That seemed right to me.  I immediately felt better.  Speech, Women's Health and Psychology 202 would be fine.  Just replace the math.

So I look through the courses that I am lacking, trying to find a good replacement for math.  I must hurry because I have already missed the first week.  I needed a history class and saw religion and Old Testament as an option.  I was thinking how hard can it be?  I grew up hearing about this stuff every week in Sunday School.  We will read about the beginning, Noah and the Ark, Moses and the Ten Commandments....I would really like that!

My first day of class found me waiting outside of Room 1610 with about 20 other students.  This teacher is precise and doesn't show up until just at 9 a.m.  As he approaches, pulling his rolly cart behind him, I smile.  He is a tall, lean, elder man.  He has white hair that I have noticed always seems to fly away, glasses, a bushy white mustache and best of all....about 15 pens/pencils in his shirt pocket!  I had a sudden dose of "what did I do" and then decided to make the best of it.  By the end of the first class, I really liked him and found myself very engrossed in the lesson.  He is very serious about the Old Testament.

That said, this is the class that I am struggling in the most.  I enjoy reading and talking about the issues and storylines.  I like hearing about the history of the battles and how the Old Testament, Hebrew Bible and Roman Catholic Bible compare.

It's the tests!  I just can't seem to conquer the material when it comes to answering the questions.  I am halfway through the term and I am struggling to have a Cminus!  So this Tuesday, at his invitation, I am meeting with him to get tips on how to study.  Honestly, I am surprised that I am having so much trouble in a class I am enjoying.  But this is where I need to override old shortcomings and get a different outcome. 

I always tell my women's groups:  If you don't like something, change it.  I need to take my own advice.

I CAN really do this.  I can, I Can, I CAN!

Resolution: A new beginning can happen any time

The word Resolution always brings thoughts of New Year's Eve and some extraordinary promises that we make ourselves.  It is such a formidable word and I suppose rightly so, since the intent of it is to make a life-change that we have previously found impossible to do.

I recently read that most people who make a New Year's Resolution have already given up on it by the eighth day!

As I wallow in this thought, and let my mind review my own resolution to lose weight, I come to a conclusion:  that most people make a resolution without any sort of plan on how to accomplish it, how to stay on task.  Do we need to take a class, purchase new tools, attend church, see a counselor?

We can't just say we have a resolution but must have an action plan to go with it.

If you and I are like the statistics, we have already given up on our resolution and have moved on to other things.  And if you are like me, that resolution still nags at you like a stone in your shoe!  And are we going to let a whole nother year slide by and end up making the same promises again next year?

Here is good news:  a new beginning can start any time.  It doesn't have to wait until New Year's.  A fresh start can begin with each new day, or even with your next breath.

My friend Mike told me once about being on a weightloss plan:  "Just think about one meal at a time."  He was so right.  If I look at how far I have to go it is daunting.  All I have to do is get through the next meal making right choices.  Just take one step at a time.  Don't look at the whole journey.

And if I fail, I can start again, because of His mercy.

There is a scripture in Lamentations that says His mercy and compassion fails not; they are new every morning. 

Resolutions are good.  It's even better to realize you can start any time.  Even with your very, next breath.

Dear God,  You have made a way when there seemed to be no way.  Your mercy allows for change and growth.  It is new every morning.  Thank you for helping me learn that perfection is the enemy.  I can always start over, try again.  Help me to plan to succeed but also to rise again when I fail.  ~Your Gurl