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Call Me Junior

by Thomas Hardy

Once again, Labor Day brings about the end of summer. But this year is different than before. Two years ago, I started high school. Last year, I got my driver's permit. Next year, I'll be finishing my high school career and looking forward to college. But this year? This year is sort of the no-man's land of high school. It's between everything and signifies nothing. This year, you can call me Junior.

I Prefer Excitement

It may sound a bit melancholy, but I'm not really sure what to look forward to this year. I see nothing but "blah" on the horizon. Nothing of interest is scheduled -- no major life event or big turning point -- so I'm not sure how to feel. Ambivalent seems appropriate. Or maybe apathetic is a better choice. Whatever college-level word I decide on, it won't be "exhilaration".

But I'll be honest: I prefer to feel excited.

So maybe I won't just go along with the scheduled stuff. If nothing big has been preplanned for me this year, then maybe I'll just do a little planning of my own!

One-Shot Service

At my church youth group, our Youth Minister is always talking about how we need to do more service projects. He wants us to do more than just get together once in a while to play and pray. His vision is that we will someday be a very "real" presence in our community, working to help others and improve things in general.

Our Youth Minister organizes a service "field trip" about every other month. We've gone to the children's ward of the hospital, served meals at the soup kitchen, helped deliver holiday meals to needy families, and numerous other things. But it's always a one-shot. It's always an event -- something that is here and gone.

It doesn't have to be that way, does it?

Make a Difference

As of today, my junior year looks rather uneventful. But I think I'm going to change that. I think I am going to make it a year to remember.

This year I want to find an ongoing service activity -- something that I can continue to volunteer my time to month after month (or week after week). I want to do something that will make a difference in the lives of other people.

If I can find a service activity that I can commit to, this year will end up being something special. When I make a difference in the lives of others, it makes a difference in my life too. This boring, in-between year could end up being better than all of the other high school years combined.

And who knows? I may be very pleased to have you call me "Junior".

Life Applications:

What are you looking forward to this year?
If you had to choose an ongoing service project, what would it be?
How do you feel when you make a difference in someone's life?

Copyright 2002 by Brandon Jubar
All rights reserved.