4 years is not long at all is it? 4 years is all I have. At best it’s what I have with the young women I am able to serve at the university. When we first meet, I love nothing more than looking into the wide-eyes of this darling student and telling her how brave, strong, and courageous she is. You’re here! You are doing something brand new and very brave.

Her legs are so wobbly at the beginning, trying to figure out how to stand with confidence while having no idea where to walk, who to talk to, and how many smiles to give in the course of the day. She is often faking it and hoping to make it. All of a sudden what used to feel normal and right and easy, like walking and talking, feel abnormal, wrong, and hard.

I tell freshman parents this all the time when they drop off that precious baby that first time. Imagine a beautiful snow globe with your house in the middle of it. The yard is there. The trees and maybe the dog are there in the front yard. The cars are in the driveway. Her car is in the driveway. The sun is shining and all is right and perfect and beautiful in this snow globe world. Not a smudge of a fingerprint on the glass of this globe. You can get lost in all the details of it if you stare long enough at it. It’s full of memories of the past and hope for the future. And then it happens. It’s a hot August day here in West Tennessee and it’s time to shake the globe up. You are actually shaking up 18 years of living and it’s time for her amazing dorm decor, all the clothes, her makeup, the fancy shampoo and conditioner, and all the skincare products to pack up and go. The car leaves the driveway and the snow globe has instantly changed. The snow globe has been picked up and is being shaken ever so slightly increasing in intensity with each mile driven, and each day that goes by those first few weeks and months away from home.

Is anything the same anymore? Everything is changing. Her stomach is upside down and you aren’t sure if this is horrible or horribly fun. The smiles are there but the entire family feels the effect of the snow globe now.

We used to go to Six Flags over anywhere all the time as a kid and finally graduated to Disney World not that long ago. The first ride I rode most recently on a trip to WDW was Tron. Have you ridden it? OHMYGOSH!! I am pretty sure I was screaming the minute I was strapped in! This 1st year of college and being in the upside down snow globe world is a lot like that ride Tron. You love it and scream your head off but you need it to slow down so you can get off and get your bearings. For the love of all things, let me catch my breath. I feel sick and scared but I love it!

This is college during those first few semesters. What am I doing here? When are things going to settle into place? I’m so so tired and want to feel the safety, security, and sweetness of home again. At some point the snow globe begins to turn the right way and things settle into place. It’s a new place but it’s settled. Imagine the globe. Home is there but it’s different. The cars are different. The people are different. The memories are different. Home is now in the sweet spot of a super cute dorm room, familiar classes and schedules, friends, fun, and dreams for a future they can begin to see. Mom and dad see this too.

And then you blink and it’s over. I’m sorry. We just got started. Those 4 years are done with the diploma in hand to prove it! That wobbly legged girl is asking, “What am I supposed to do now?” You mean they are handing me a degree and now I’m supposed to step yet again into a home with new friends and new responsibilites and expectations?

Oh, yes you are sweetie. Remember, you are strong, courageous and oh so brave. Look in the mirror. Who do you see? I know who I see. Sister, you not only walked but ran through these last 4 years like the champ that you are! Even with the bumps and bruises along the way, isn’t the Lord so very good? It wasn’t always easy was it? Sometimes we cried. A lot of times we laughed until we cried. Man oh man, your mind is sharp, prepared, and ready for the next challenge. Your heart is soft and tender because of all the beautiful souls you met and lived life with. Your heart is also full of gratitude for every twist, turn, and cuss word that came out of your mouth over the classes and people you wanted to run from. It was worth it wasn’t it? You are prepared and ready for what lies ahead so GO! Go in confidence that He who began a good work in you will complete it.

Mom and dad, they may come home for a minute but everything has changed. We say goodbye to the old and hello to the new. New is good. New is beautiful. New is…well…new.

What a gift to walk alongside so many girls over the years. Bring on each snow globe. We ain’t scared of the shakin’!