The Next Phase

Today, I had the joy of catching up with three of my close friends from school. The big topic of each conversation was life: where am I now? For those three wonderful ladies, their lives consist of heading back to school and starting their last semester of college. For me, my life consists of getting a new job, creating a schedule for my life, and plugging into a young adult Catholic community here. The question they all asked was, "are you sad?"

I go on Facebook and I see that everyone is heading back to school. There's mention of their last semester, how they can't wait to be with their "family" back at school (that place really was a family), and how they are so excited to start the next semester. As for me, none of that is running across my Facebook status.

So, to answer the question, I am not sad. I am not sad that all my friends are going back to school without me. I am not sad that they get to be surrounded by so many wonderful people while I will not be around those same people. It doesn't phase me, none of it is phasing me, because I am beginning the next phase of my life here. I am starting a new job tomorrow (which I am so excited about) and I am meeting new friends through the Catholic community that I have joined. I don't feel left out of the BC bubble at all. I understand that I am where I am for a reason. I am so excited to see who the Lord brings into my life this round. Think of all the people He has brought into my life beginning four years ago. Why would I not be excited for the new people He allows to enter into my life?

Sure, I could wallow in sadness, feeling as if I am missing out, but I am not missing out on the life God has in store for me this next semester. He is going to do great things in my life these next few months, even though they are transition months. That's why I am not sad. I am not missing out because God has put me here for a reason, and I will live, discover, and grow with whatever He throws at me. This is what I look forward to.

I will surely miss my friends. I will miss the availability and the convenience that I had with them. However, I look forward to those days when I receive a phone call, when they come to visit, and when we set up coffee dates. I look forward to those moments and know that those moments count and will help us grow closer in friendship.

Sadness? No. Excitement? Yes!