The conscious decisions we make during the first five years after high school graduation form the foundation of our adult lives.  It is up to us whether that foundation will be strong or will crumble under pressure.

      Allow me to use myself as an example of what not to do.  I had a bad case of teen tunnel vision, and did not take a critical look at myself until February 23, 1983, the day I gave my life to Christ.

      Graduation from high school was painful for me.  I did not realize why at the time.  I just knew I did not want to graduate.  Had I actually known what real life held in store for me...well, I'm just glad I didn't know.

      There are a few realities that each of us must face as the years go by--we all get our hearts broken somewhere along the line, eventually we are forced to pay our own way, and we see our parents in ourselves (scary thought for young people, but I have already glimpsed Mother in my mirror).

      At times, real life hits us from behind, no matter how prepared we may think we are.   An early college education, and a serious effort to understand those around us, would better enable us to adapt to the demands of the working world and to obtain a measure of self-confidence.

      However, a diploma alone can not prepare us for the devastation experienced because of an unfaithful spouse, the death of a child or the untimely death of a parent.  The strength to face overwhelming odds comes from within--a strength acquired only through God's mercy and grace.

      Over time, as with water erosion, the torrents we withstand chip away at self-centeredness, slowly shaping us into compassionate, somewhat humble, yet stronger

      All is not hopeless.  We can learn to bend with the wind, rather than snapping in two when slapped by a painful, unexpected turn of events.  Again, we must learn about ourselves and the people around us.  It bears repeating because we seldom buy what we've only see advertised once.  We must be aware, and follow the sage old advice someone's grandmother of long ago passed down:

      "Look before you leap."  "What goes around, comes around."  and  "Be sure your sins will find you out."

      The loss of a steady boyfriend in high school is a pain that fades with time--but it does take time.  Magnify that grief many times, and imagine the agony a betrayed husband or wife must deal with.  The responsibilities in a single mother's life do not go away in order for her to work through her grief.  Rather, the responsibilities multiply, and alone she must bear the entire weight of parenting, which only serves to intensify the absence of one who once represented hope, security and love.

We must consider tomorrow--today.  Graduating with at least a bachelor's degree before facing "real life" allows us to avoid juggling work, children and spouse while struggling to revive brain cells that had long been asleep.

So, when we are faced with major decisions such as whether to drop out of college to marry or make a baby out of wedlock, or whatever, we can turn to our Lord and ask He who has all the right answers before plunging to the rocks below.

The consequences of making wrong major decisions are not nearly as much fun as the excitement we might think taking the road less traveled would lead to.  We should dare to be different.  Down right corny in fact--by actually considering the consequences of not taking action; by actually praying, and waiting for the Lord's guidance.  After all, in the game of life, there are no instant replays, and we don't get "do-overs".

THE END