I am the mother of four children, and my oldest is a senior here at CLHS. Having a senior is the beginning of the “next” parenting phase. This phase is where we encourage (somewhat reluctantly) our child to begin preparing for adulthood.
Does adulthood mean college, entering the workforce, or something different? I’m not going to lie this has been a stressful and scary time for all of us. We have spent the last six or so months visiting big colleges, small colleges, public colleges, and private colleges trying to determine what is the “best” fit for her. As we’ve visited all of these colleges, one question is always asked …“What opportunities do students have to get involved?”
Why is this question so important to so many parents and young adults? 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
It’s simple — getting involved provides opportunities to make friendships and friends are important. My husband and I are not from Fort Wayne so we found ourselves living in a city with very few friends. One of my biggest blessings was sending my daughter Abbey to St. Peter’s for preschool just a few short years ago (okay, 15 years ago). It was great. She had eight friends her age, and I had five hours a week to myself.
Although I did enjoy my alone time, I was grateful when her preschool teacher asked me to join their MOPS group, a new program they were starting at the church. MOPS opened the door for me to meet some of my very best friends, grow my faith, and become involved in many different activities at the church, grade school, and now high school. The friends I met by getting involved in MOPS have been there for me in good times and bad. They are my prayer warriors, my cheerleaders, and my second family.
Getting involved can be scary because you are often asked to step out of your comfort zone, but taking that first step just might provide you with immeasurable blessings.
So, I will continue to push Abbey and my other three children to get involved, and I pray they will be blessed with friends who will encourage and build each other up.
Wendy Bentz,
CLHS Parent and Director of Development Services