10 reasons you should take a summer course

Never do I share my opinion publicly without being asked, but this, I feel, has be on the top of peoples' minds and needs to be addressed.

Why did she take a summer course? Should I?

Glad you asked and yes.

Nobody wants to spend their summer studying or going to class, but let me fill you in on a few of the benefits that students never consider when deciding on moving back home for the summer or staying up at school.

1. The classes are smaller - instant friends
2. The teacher student ratio is smaller
3. The class is accelerated and forces you to stay on top of things
4. The material is condescend yet minimal to what can actually be taught rather than filled with busy work and homework assignments.
5. GPA booster (but we've all heard that one)
6. Teachers are more opened to hear you out on projects (this might not be the case for online)
7. Living out of the house will help you determine your gauge of responsibility and motivation rather than that mental lingering of your parents asking you if you studied for your class
--seriously, I'm going to spend alittle more time on this one because it is something you don't think about a lot. If you are living with your parents, there is a mental shadow that lingers when you are under their wing, even if you are a junior or senior with your last summer at home. It lingers because they. are. there. It is not a shadow of choice. You run the risk of shutting down motivationally (I just made that a word) because you know they will ask you eventually. Similar to the, "Did you clean your room? Phenomenon that it tends to happen after you have procrastinated due to your adolescent rebellion and aggravation. So go live on your own.
8. Sense of quick accomplishment (sounds shallow, but it was a 12 week class in 5 weeks...pat yourself on the back)
9. A continuing of an education is NEVER a bad thing! Staying in the habit of studying will increase your desire to study and study well. Not to mention the fact that 30 days makes a habit, and if you've completed a semester's worth, you are well past 30 days, so keep it up!
10. Less friends around, more you time. We all know you need it and want it.

Now the list can go one, but I encourage you to consider slowing down the exuberant summer plans and consider continuing your education throughout the summer. It is not only a reflective summer, but a rewarding one. I might be opinionated because I just completed my first summer course and am looking ahead to my second, but alas, I digress.

A Child Like Faith

All to often I find myself reminiscing on the most current events that I have been walking through. More recently and specifically, this summer. And then I find myself walking to work asking the Lord, "Why does it always seem to be 'difficult'? Why do I have to struggle?" Hear my out when I say struggle. I mean a constant pull and push, a level, a compromise, but more of a balance. There is struggle in life, but it does not necessarily have to overcome your youth and haunt you in your age. Its a struggle of balancing the responsibilities with the pleasures, and it's a joyous thing to learn. (Send masters of this occupation my way).

I have found, that within this summer, and a few months preceding my time here at Clemson, dully noting I am living on my own only with a preset amount of money from my parents, and what I have in savings, that I have been walking with Jesus in a way I never have before. I have been able to "trust in Jesus and just to take Him at his word."

How amazing is that? Amazing! He says, "I love you and I have set a path before you that is for your benefit and your prosperity." He NEVER says it will be easy, or normal, or conventional, or safe! How cool is that that we serve and love a God who wants us to live a life to the full that may bring stumbles and road blocks and adventure and prosperity?! I think a lot of us forget the prosperity part (See Jeremiah 29:11, an out of context verse, considering they were in EXILE) So keep that in perspective you cannot decided to live at home or work at a summer camp; at least you are not in prison.

I have been able to trust. I read a blog post by a woman well into her 20's writing that she had stopped asking God for clarity. Instead she asked God for trust. Faithful trust. Wow. Now how many of us can say that we honestly trust our Creator? In the American way, of planning and fast paced lifestyles, how many of us can say that we are 'ok' with NOT knowing what God has planned and living a life of trust.

I am not trying to be cliche; I'm trying to relinquish my heart's cry and desire on you to live life with an open and willing heart to trust that God is overwhelmed with joy each morning I rise to see that Christ's blood covers me, and I am going to live that day with child like faith. What if there were more people walking around with the unconditional trust of children and less worried faces mopping around?

That is how I feel this summer. Though I spend most of my mornings indoors, boomerang-ing between work and school and home, I feel the Lord walking with me each step of the way speaking into my days with words like, "Child, I love you and want you to trust me. I have a really cool plan for you, and all you need to do is live like me and trust me."

Live in this truth Beloved!

"But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope, The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness!" Lamentations 3:21-23