So I just graduated high school last Friday. Those words still feel funny coming out of my mouth…can life slow down for just a second so I can breath and take it all in? I guess not really, but this post is an attempt to reminisce on my high school experience in general. I wanted to share what I have learned over the years and what God has taught me and placed on my heart. I hope this speaks to others still in high school, or maybe allows a fellow graduate to reminisce with me.

So here goes:

10 Things God has taught me through HS

1. Show LOVE. 

   My first thoughts used to often be judgment. I had a hard time accepting people with their flaws because of my very black and white view of sin (which I still hold)…But one day I realized: who am I? Who am I to judge someone for their actions? Matthew 7:5 says “first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” I definitely have some clumps in my own eye that I should take care of before looking into someone else’s. So my conclusion is

   1. Give people the benefit of the doubt: don’t blindly judge someone based on what you have been told. Gossip is a real thing full of FAKE words.
   2. Do not condemn someone for a mistake. But rather, show love to your brothers and sisters in Christ through accountability and fellowship. Sin is definitely not something to be passive about, but we also know that our PRIMARY job is to love one another, so be careful how you approach a Christ-follower struggling in sin.

2.  FIND BALANCE!!

   Trust me when I say I get it! Life is busy!! Athletics, studying, social life, sleep, quiet time, family. How does anyone expect you to fit this all into one day?! All I can say is learn to balance your time, and pay attention to how you prioritize your tasks. Because everyone knows we make time for what is important to us…what will you put at the top of your list?

3. FORGIVE.

   High school is WAY too short to live with anger and hold grudges. If it’s really that big of a deal, confront that individual!! They would probably rather talk for 10 minutes about why you’re upset if it meant keeping your friendship, than walk away wondering “what happened?” And if it’s not a big enough deal to confront that person about it, then why are you still upset? MOVE ON. You’ll be happy when you look back knowing you mended some lasting friendships.

4. It’s okay to be a little weird.

   Think about it. Life is so much better when you’re enjoying it right? (duh) But how are you enjoying it if you’re sitting on the sidelines blending in with everyone else?? That is SO boring. Step out!! You’ll have way more fun. Plus, their opinion won’t phase you in four years anyways.

5. Deep waters are so much better.

   At first glance, deep is scary; it’s vulnerable; it’s shady. But when you jump in and open your eyes, the best wonders are in the deep end! Now think about people. Shallow friends seems pretty nice…until you’ve found a deep, lasting friendship. Then the shallow individuals don’t seem as fun. We’re often made out to believe quantity is better than quality. Who got the most likes on instagram or the most favorites on twitter? These things are FLEETING and SHALLOW. And once you recognize this, high school becomes a lot less stressful because you no longer search for everyone’s approval. Instead, find a few meaningful friends, and build a relationship with one true reliable God.

6. ACT NOW.

   There is no later, there is only right here, this moment. So make a difference NOW. Find your foundation in the Lord NOW. Be a good friend TODAY. Work hard TODAY. Because when tomorrow finally comes, it is actually just a new ‘now.’ Which brings me to my next point:

7. WORK HARD.

   Nothing in life is given. This is a pretty common statement, but do you believe it? “Yeah yeah I know, work hard whatever.” You must not only believe it, but embrace it. Embrace the fact that you have the opportunity to EARN what you want. You GET to work for your starting Varsity position. You GET to study hard for your A+ in english. You have the tools to deepen your understanding of the Gospel and you GET to use them. Working may not be fun while you’re doing it, but when you focus on the end reward, the hard fought battle becomes rejuvenating.

8. You’re NOT too cool for your parents.

   Or your family in general. As many times as I have tried to rely on my classmates and many others, the people that are really ALWAYS around for me to fall back on is my family. Their bloodline may have forced them into my life but, man, without my family, high school would have been a lot tougher. A LOT. So instead of pulling away because you’re “too cool for them” pull tighter because you’ll need them soon enough.

9. Family fails too.

   They’re human just like everyone else! They may always be around, but sometimes they don’t come through. But that’s okay because the cool part about that is, as Christians, we know a God who NEVER fails and NEVER fails to love. He did everything to save you from your many many flaws, so I believe Him when He says He can handle all this extra stuff too. When the going gets tough, the tough fall on the Lord. 

10. Take the LEAP.

    This is by far the biggest thing I have learned. Despite my own assumptions and what most people tend to believe, God is not required to reveal His plan before we move into action. In other words, we do not sit idly and wait for God to shove us in some direction. It’s hard to drive a parked car!! Sometimes there will be a crossroad in which YOU have to choose a path without a clear picture of where you’re headed! You have to trust that through prayer and God’s guidance that you are making the right move. It is SO scary. I am a worrier (to say the least). I want to be in control, know where I’m going what could happen if I take this path or the next one, and so on. It’s a big jump, and the landing seems miles away. But as much as I hate the leap, I love the view I get when I trust God to bless the steps I’ve taken. The most reward I’ve seen in this life is from blind leaps of faith in full reliance on God to catch me on the other side. The jump is 100% worth it!!!!