Both are considered precursor points to major life stepping stones. Middle school is right before the exciting and new high school years and college is right before the launch into "real life" and careerism. Middle school is like the forgotten child. It's not like elementary where you get a lot of foundational skills and all the mushy attention, on the other hand, it's not high school where you have to make a good impression for the choices ahead; SATs, grades, sports, applications. In both middle school and college, one is trying to figure themselves out. Who do I want to be friends with? Am I any good at sports? Can I sing? Have I ever thought about theatre? Do I tell people what I believe in? A person can feel lonely and scared or can thrive and persist in either situation. Or maybe it's a roller coaster ride; up and down with the feeling of wanting to throw up from time to time.
Starting in middle school, I came into my own; figuring out who I was in the Lord, what kind of person I wanted to be, and how I was going to make it in this wretched life. In college I learned - and experienced- how God is for me. I began to get a glimpse into the bigger picture. I felt what it was like to be undermined. I knew how it felt to be accomplished, but unsatisfied; how it felt to be loved, but rejected; how it felt to be eager, but confused.
Maybe that's why I teach middle school, maybe that's why the college years are scary and exciting for me to watch someone experience. Maybe we should encourage one another, not just the go-getters, but the ones that seem confused and lost. Maybe we should pay attention to the journey and not just the end results. Check in with each other, love one another, every moment counts.
We underestimate how important every stage, every phase, every day is; each an experience that is significant.
Push forward, friends.
xo
Starting in middle school, I came into my own; figuring out who I was in the Lord, what kind of person I wanted to be, and how I was going to make it in this wretched life. In college I learned - and experienced- how God is for me. I began to get a glimpse into the bigger picture. I felt what it was like to be undermined. I knew how it felt to be accomplished, but unsatisfied; how it felt to be loved, but rejected; how it felt to be eager, but confused.
Maybe that's why I teach middle school, maybe that's why the college years are scary and exciting for me to watch someone experience. Maybe we should encourage one another, not just the go-getters, but the ones that seem confused and lost. Maybe we should pay attention to the journey and not just the end results. Check in with each other, love one another, every moment counts.
We underestimate how important every stage, every phase, every day is; each an experience that is significant.
Push forward, friends.
xo
