May 20, 2008
A Very Good Idea
by Catey Yuen, RTF Staff Writer
It all started with a very good idea. Isn’t that always how it starts? At the beginning of the school year, I told God, “I’m really excited about school this year. I want to learn everything you have to teach me.”
He took me seriously.
It started with school. I moved into my first year of formal high school this year (though I’d been doing high school work for a few years before this one). That meant homework- and not just a little homework, but a load that convinced me that it would never end!
Then we brought home my brother. He came into our family through adoption, and babies who were adopted tend to be a little more demanding for the first month or two. They don’t come home as sleepy newborns, but as active (sometimes overactive) toddlers, in many cases.
School dropped on my priority list. I looked for every loophole, shortcut and way to cut a corner in my classes. And I figured out some pretty good ones. Then I felt as if God stopped me dead in my tracks.
It was time to do my work with excellence. That meant skipping out on doing some things that I’d much rather do. It meant working longer on projects and studying harder. I have an almost-photographic memory, so to actually sit down and study is pure torture to me. I had prayed for opportunities to learn. So he gave me some.
Now I’m here at the end of the year, staring ahead to a very blank summer. Part of me wants to make one big push to get all of my school work done really well and really fast. The other part of me is saying, “Why bother?”
Doing school is like preparing for a race. Some of you will go to college after you graduate. Others will stay behind and begin another part of their calling. Regardless of what you’re going to do when you’re out of school, it’s important to prepare for whatever God might call you to.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 talks about how when runners run, they have to go into strict training. Kind of like school. We have to work hard and be strict with ourselves so that we get a good training for our next path in life. Then, when we’re ready to run the real race, we’ll run in such a way as to get the prize. We’ll know what we’re doing, and we’ll have practiced throughout our training.
Bio: Catey Yuen is a novice author. When not hatching plots to catch the bad guys in her stories, she enjoys singing, memorizing Scripture and having fun with her family of seven.
Holly says:
Hey Catey, great post! I pray that you are a great encouragement to others!
Mrs. Frame says:
Thanks for the reminder! Today I will run the race to the best of my ability, as unto the Lord. You’ve inspired me, Catey!
Mrs. B says:
Wow! A good lesson learned. Many of us need to learn it. I’m sure this will be convicting to many out there. The fact that you were opened to listening and changing your path is the biggest thing. Good job! And press on! WE’ll be praying for you.
Mrs. B
Miss Jen says:
Awesome reminder. If we all worked with excellence at everything, even school work, wouldn’t Jesus be glorified thru us?! It doesn’t matter how old or young we are, we all can apply your words.
Thanks Catey!
With Much Love,
Miss Jen
Shane says:
Hey Catey,
Awesome post, and a great lesson for those of us who struggle with procrastination when it comes to school. Thanks for the encouragment and keep it up.
Shane
Hannah W. says:
Hey Catey,
Great work! I love it all it’s very encouraging to me!!! I hope to see you soon!
-Hannah W.
*E!e@h~ says:
Wow. That was good Catey. Good reminder for people like me who like to procrastinate….. lol.
Eleah
Nate de Andrade (A.K.A.) DUDE says:
I know exactly what you mean by loophole finding. I’m about to graduate and I can’t help but find myself rushing, skipping, or lying about my work to be done for good.
Word of advice to everyone: If you think skipping will get you to college, not to mention to college doing well, look and talk to those at your local gas station. I guarantee 99% of them will tell you that the reason they work there is because they didn’t care about their work.
PS Catey, gol’ dang but you’re a good writer.
Rebekah says:
Good reminder, especially during finals and projects when you just want to finish, perhaps even by skipping important things, and be completely done! Thank you! Congrats on the publishing too! Much love always, Rebekah
Kyla T. says:
I love you. That is such a great reminder for next year. I never thought about it that way. God can be glorified in us when we are diligent and hardworking. Good on ya.-Kyla*