I was challenged last summer to sum up my camp experience in just one or two words. To me, this sounded silly. I had been at camp for 10 weeks, 79 days, at this point and there was no way I could sum it all up in one or two words. However, once I began to think about it, there is so much to be told in just one word. Words are powerful and often overused, so to be able to use just one can mean so much more than a hundred meaningless ones. As this school year ends, I began to think about this challenge and challenged myself to sum up this school year in one word. What word did I choose?
Encouraging
To me, this word means many different things. The definition of encouraging is giving someone support or confidence and positive and giving hope for future success. This school year was all of those things and more.
First, giving someone support or confidence. I have found this in those around me this school year. This year was different from the last because of the people I was surrounded by. I was loved well by others, challenged to move and grow, and found community in many different places. I can evidently see how much the people around me changed my year because I wasn't excited and looking forward to going home like last year, but actually dreading the ending of this school year because it means not seeing people for three months. People make a difference in the outcome of any situation, which I can clearly see as I was encouraged more this year by being in the presence of others than I have ever been.
More than support from others, I have felt encouraged in my relationship with God. I was given hope for the future here at A&M and beyond. I was encouraged as I saw God's goodness and faithfulness to answer any and all prayers, in his own timing. In this, I grew in patience as I learned that He has great things for me planned if I just wait. Overall, I was encouraged to grow in wisdom of my creator because only through him will I find true encouragement.
This encouragement that I have felt this year does not end when finals are over. It is propelling me towards a summer in which I will get to encourage people just as I have been encouraged.
Now I challenge you to think about this past school year as we move into the summer and come up with your own word. Reflecting on these past eight months will open your eyes and make you realize how far you have come, how much you have learned, or how much you still have to learn.
