I’m going to college in roughly a month and a half. I don’t think it’s entirely hit me yet, but every once and while I’ll wake up and look out my familiar window and get hit with a wave of excitement for what is to come. There are faces I’ve never seen, waiting to met! Roads I’ve never walked, waiting to be tread. Thoughts I’ve never thought, books I’ve never read, sunrises I haven’t seen… Life is waiting just around the corner to be lived. The anticipation of it all fills me close to bursting.
But, of course, on the flip side of that, I realize that I’m leaving this lovely place I’ve always called home. I’m leaving familiarity and friends and family, and all the things I hold most dear in all the world. So while I have this itch for adventure, I am also filled with this desperate feeling of “oh my goodness! I need to enjoy the bejeebies out of every moment! The end is fast approaching!!!”. I feel like lately I run around in a panicked state of frenzy, seeking to get my fill of home and friends. It’s really quite exhausting.
The other morning I was sitting on the front porch, my legs plopped up on the railing, mug of tea in my hand, bewailing my many woes to the Lord. How do I decided what to do and make the best of my time? Lord, I’ll miss everyone! But at the same time.. I’m itching to start my adventure!
After a few minutes of that, I decided to read my Celtic Daily Prayer, as is my tradition. It was the first day of the month, and so a new theme began with the month:… Journeys. I smiled as saw the title page. I suppose God was listening to my prayers.
“Wherever He may guide me,
no want shall turn me back;
My shephard is beside me,
and nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh,
His sight is never dim,
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.”
Anna L Waring
This is a grand adventure, life. And whether it be going to college, having a baby, getting married, getting a new job, or any other of the many events we encounter in life, something we can be sure about, is that it is indeed a journey. And one God is guiding us on, ever so carefully. As I contemplated this new journey ahead of me, an inspiration came to me. What do you do when you’re about to go on a journey? You pack for it! You take into account everything you’ll need to survive and thrive, you gather it on your bed, and you pack it in your bag. Of course, as I go off to college, I will pack my real bags with all the college life necessities, but I realized that there’s something else I ought to be packing. I ought to be packing up my soul for its trip. Packing it with friends, family, rest, good (non cafeteria) food, books I want to read, thoughts I want to think.
So, dear reader, I will leave you with this; what is your journey? What are you packing? What are you intentionally filling your soul with?
Now I am off to drink tea and fill my soul with a good book.
May the road rise to meet you!
May you pack the bags of your soul well!
All for now,
Joy
Oh thank goodness Joy wrote this post! I thought Sally may have hit a mid life crisis until I got the the end where Joy signed off;) Whew!
Your excitement is catching Joy! Go and spread the love of Jesus as you embark on the next step of your journey!!
Very wise!
I, too, thought Sally might be pursuing college this fall. Your writer’s voices are similar, so pretty fun mistake!
Joy,
You are beautiful and inspiring…just like your mom!
Hugs,
Michelle
As soon as I read the first sentence, I knew you must have hijacked your mom’s blog, Joy!
Girl, thank you, thank you for this post. From one homeschooled high school graduate to another. I NEEDED to read this! I love your relish for life and adventure – it’s so infectious! Can’t wait to see where your journey takes you…maybe one day, both of ours will meet.
Cheers,
Grace
Joy, you are such a unique and lovely individual, wise beyond years and a drinker in of the life God gives. I just know that God is going to use you to accomplish great things for his kingdom. I can see it already through your written words. Whom does God choose? Those with a heart completely devoted to him. You are that girl. What an encouragement to see and anticipate with you all of the great things that the Lord has in store. Praying for you as you embark on your journey. May the Lord bless you, keep you, and make his face to shine upon you.
(your name suits you so well Joy, because you indeed bring joy. Perhaps God is going to use you to bring joy, his joy, to a world that needs it so much). Hope you have a wonderful day “packing” your bags. 
Great perspective, Joy!!!!
Love that poem!!
Joy,
I love you…
I will miss you…
I treasure my time with you…
I will always be your “Auntie” and will pray for you to discover all that God has for you on your grand adventure!
Love you!
Auntie Deb
Oh how I needed to read this. I too am going to college next month. My 3rd yr. – entering an intense year in a physical therapy program. I am a mom of 3 who hasn’t worked since I have become a mama. And though I have worked very hard to get great grades, and get accepted, I dread school starting because life as I know it will be over. I have gone to school part time till now, I will be gone all day every weekday.
It’s been hard for me to think of it as an adventure-and this post made me think I really need to start thinking that way… Thank you
Happy soul-packing Joy. Won’t it be wonderful to pull out all the wonderful memories you have packed in, come some hard or lonely day away from the familiar (yes, those days will happen). You are wise to pack thoughtfully so you are prepared.)
I too began te Journeys section of Celtic Daily Prayer this week and I smiled as I realized that it was speaking to me of where my husband and I are right now and the many paths we can choose. I’ll be praying for your journeys Joy, that the road will rise to meet you!