Growing up I was addicted to school. I thrived on homework and papers. Even though good grades are important, I got to a place of identifying with A's. If I didn't make A's, then I was not good enough. No one really put this pressure on me, but I felt as though people's appreciation for who I was came from the quality of my intellect. So when I got into harder work and A's became something I had to work a lot to earn, I spent every waking hour doing homework, studying, or writing papers. I was so stressed and anxious because everything I turned in had to receive an A, or I wasn't enough. Then God said stop.

At this point he didn't change my self-image, but more questioned what kind of life I wanted. Everyone always told me "C's get degrees." In theory, I understand this, but it never fully sunk in. I was constantly looking toward school whether it was in an attempt to get better grades or to try and convince myself I didn't need better grades. My eyes were still on the issue.

God took my eyes off. Although he wants our best, he doesn't care if you make an 80 instead of a 95. He will ALWAYS love you, regardless of what you make. Our life's purpose is in him, not grades. Yes we can use our degrees and jobs to bring him glory, but it doesn't matter if we get a B or a D on a quiz. What does matter is the people we spend our time with, the time we spend just focused on him, how we help other people, how we spread his love, and insert something you love doing here.

School is something we do just like a job, but it isn't the goal. It isn't our purpose. God loves who we are as people and how we spend our days loving people the way he loves us, not how many A's we get.

I learned that forcing myself to take time to go to worship nights, watch The Office, and have spontaneous donut breaks with friends is WAY more memorable and important than any A I could ever get.