Achievement

In just five short days, I will have another year of college under my belt.  I have just one more summer break and only one more semester of college to complete.

The other night while driving home with a friend, we reminisced about the past year together.  We laughed about our late night chats and specific outings we had attended.  We realized how last summer seemed just like yesterday and how we are officially seniors.  We also wondered, had we wished our time away?  Did we accomplish what we wanted to this year?

Worry, doubt, fear crept into me as we tried to think of all we accomplished.  We struggled to remember every detail, but the memories that were recalled were enough to put us at ease for the moment.

That night, I crawled into bed and read my journal from the year that had just passed me by and found comfort amidst my questioning.

Yes. I had accomplished what I wanted.  I didn't even realize I had set a goal, but I did.  I didn't realize what I was pursuing, but I grasped it.

In my scribbled journal entries I had cried out to the Lord for comfort, for a closer relationship with him.  It seems that I wrote it over and over and over. I reread the prayers I had written asking God to come closer, just a little closer.

Today I can confidently say I accomplished just that through diligent prayer, a challenging community and faith.  I feel like I have achieved something greater than grades on a piece of paper.  I have received an everlasting gift.