Every Season

Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children's games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that's new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season's change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

Lyrics by: Nichole Nordeman

The End of an Era

There's no denying it. My college years are coming to an end. And during this final stretch, everything is a last. Today I turned in my last paper, and tomorrow I'll hear my last GCC lecture. Some people seem absolutely thrilled to leave Grove City, but it's a very sobering experience for me...a time to reflect on the past and anticipate what's to come.

The future is uncertain. Although I have a vague conception of where I might be next year and dreams of what I'll be doing ten years down the road, it's all speculation. I suppose life is always that way, and this is yet another lesson in trusting God with my future. Trusting can be so difficult. But on the other hand, part of me likes this uncertainty. Where will I end up? The possibilities are endless, and it's as if I'm setting out on an adventure to discover what God has in store for me. Nevertheless, the beginning of this adventure marks the end of a wonderful experience.

The past four years have been amazing. I have made so many memories with some of the best friends I will ever have. [Entering sappy, sentimental mode] We've been together through thick and thin. We've grown together and learned together. We've laughed until tears were rolling down our cheeks on so many occasions, and on May 20th, we'll probably all cry together. College is nice, but relationships add the flavor, the sponaneity, the love, the depth, and the value that make it all worthwhile.

During the past four years, I have also learned about myself: my weaknesses, my strengths, and things that make me feel alive. Oh yeah, and all that academic stuff, too...like thinking critically, arguing somewhat cogently, yada yada yada. In all seriousness, though, Grove City has provided me with a wonderful, well-rounded education. It's a great school with an incredible faculty and a remarkable student body.

Although it's hard to say goodbye, to watch this fabulous time of my life come to a close, I am so thankful. God has richly blessed me with friends, experiences, a college, professors, and even classes that are worth missing. I will always look back on my time at Grove City College with thanksgiving. I am so blessed to have spent for four years here.