119 - Call To Community

The single most moving moment, that time when I felt complete peace about leaving our daughter at college, was during a Call To Community conducted by the university. It was a worship service structured much like a church service, with group singing, performance songs, a responsive reading, scripture, a dedication address from the university president, and corporate dedication prayers read by parents, faculty, and upperclassmen as each group in turn surrounded the incoming students.

It still brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart when I recall those moments.

This school has my daughter's back. She will have fun and do crazy things; she will get sick and face discouragement; but she is there to receive an education and grow in her walk, and I am confident that the faculty and support systems in place will guide her all the way.

And maybe a few phone calls home will help, too. I'm not complaining that in the first week, there have been many of those.

During this Call To Community, we were all encouraged to set our phone alarms for a daily reminder at 1:19 p.m. At this time each day, we are recalling the school's theme verse for this year:

How can a young person maintain a pure life?
By keeping it according to your word.
With all my heart I have sought you;
Do not let me wander from your commandments.
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I might not sin against you. - Psalm 119:9-11

This is my daily prayer for my children, for our friends and family, for the other students at school. I'm praying it for you.