To Finish Something in Life

In life itself, there are many things that we start. We start school, we start jobs, and we start families for example. Yet, it is not guaranteed that we will finish any of those things. I used to scratch my head at why some schools have kindergarten graduation. Now, I understand. Its about climbing levels and finishing something you start. Just last night, I completed the course work required to recieve my Bachelor's degree. It was a sigh of relief, it was a time of happiness, it was also sad. The Lord has blessed me tremendously. I am so grateful to God for the people in my life who helped me along the way. I have many good and bad memories of school itself. I remember Brenda and Spring, two women who I worked with first in school on learning teams. I remember, Crystal, another woman who I became friends with over our debates about life, family and school. I remember Mr. Sandoval, one my earliest teachers who is no longer among the living. I remember so many people who have touched my life. Now today is a new day and I am just as excited and scared as I was that first day way back in 2003. Foolishly, I did not count the cost, when I started school. I knew that there were challenges but at the end of the day, I did not know how much I would have to pay, in time, in sacrifice and money. Yet, it was worth every frustrating moment. One night in particular at school, I remember sitting in my car, recently after my separation from my wife and crying. I wanted to give up. I wanted to quit. I wanted to run away, but God and school taught me the value of finishing what I started. I started many things in my life but failed to finish many of them. In the bible, Jesus tells us that importance of finishing. His last words on the cross are reported to have been "It is finished". The work that He came to do was completed. He no longer had to endure suffering and persecution in the process of completing the work His Heavenly Father had assigned Him to do. It will be well with us to complete the work we have been assigned to in life. There is no quitting. Quitters often languish in life. It is the one who endures that inherits and is blessed. "Blessed are they that endureth, for they shall inherit all things". My small accomplishment is great in the eyes of God, because it is what He ordained for my life. Now, the real work begins. I encourage one and all to endure. Struggle and strive. Last night, a word came to me. It was this. "You will never be good without striving for excellence". It has a double meaning. You will never receive a good grade (B), without striving for an (A). If I dont labor to recieve an A, at least, I will not recieve a B. Both A and B are the best grades one can recieve in school. Mediocrity and being average will never produce good or excellence. In order to finish something in life, you must ascribe to that principle.