"Lessons from an 18-Year-Old"
By Claudia Nauman
This particular 18-year-old is currently communicating with me just once a month, and it's one-way, as I don't even get to speak, the nerve. To think, all the time I spent in the early years studying, sweating, praying, laboring over every detail (not enough), rejoicing over good news, hiding from my mediocrity, glowing in the triumphs and hiding some more in humiliation. For all of that I get once-a-month, one-way communication? Wow. What an ingrate.
In this forced silence, I've learned much, though, from my 18-year-old "friend." Perking to the top of my faint, foggy memories are: excellence can be attained, perfection is better left for God, grace is gorgeously good; choosing to journey along a road often leads to unexpected beautiful and ugly side roads, and simply starting is often an answer to, "How do we finish life well?"
If you are curious about "my friend," good. I'll withhold "my friend's" identity, for a bit, and hope the Spirit will help you un-derstand what "my friend" wants you to know.
Onward. As for excellence, it starts with imagination and scurries/dallies along through perseverance, hard work and encouragement. Prayer, Scripture-reading, meeting with fellow believers, do spur one on toward excellence, and at some point excellence always rather rudely asks: "WHAT'S IT WORTH TO YOU?" begging answers: is this necessary? is it worthwhile? what's losing out – family, health, sanity, time with the Lord, experiencing God – daily, obeying God, friendships, career? In my on-again-off-again pursuit of excellence it feels like training for a full-fledged triathlon, Lord, but only if I'm unwilling. Please help me Lord to will excellence in all that I have to do and in all that you've called me to do, and help it to not be too painful, please. I've been surrounded by your grace, again and again. Thank you.
"My friend" has frequently shouted, "this road." Often I've taken another. Which of the many roads, then? John the Baptist "paved" a straight way for the Lord. A road leveled and built with multitudes of repentant and ready hearts. Lord, may I have the strength and courage to walk your roads, fully prepared to maneuver the detours, potholes, diversions, beauty and fascinating paths flowing from them. Your grace will be needed for the ugly, decrepit roads. Thank you.
"What will you do now, Claudia?" nudges "my friend." "Oh, I don't know," I mumble. Eighteen years and you still don't know? Yep, I sheepishly think. Yep, I don't know. "My friend" reminds me that I cared, loved, protected, birthed "her" 18 years ago, and "she" was my main highway off which many paths have come: nearly 20 years at LCC; the miraculous birth of our children,Mirielle and Philip; knowing the sweetness, love and respect of a believing husband; growing in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior; glowing in the encouragement of fellow Christians; believing in God's healing power; witnessing God's healing power; praying in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ; knowing the love of unbelievers; rejoicing in God's Providence in calling those whom I love into His flock. What a delightful journey, dear "friend." Thank you.
"My friend's" your friend, too. Look up. Look down. Look on your screen or in your hand. "She's" been talking to you, too. For all 18 years. I do praise God for "her," all 18 In the Spirit volumes.
