My house, like thousands of other
across Scotland is waiting with baited breath for the text, email or
letter that will determine what happens next in the lives of our
teenagers. Yes, tomorrow is exam results day. And for some it will feel
like the end of the world if they don't get the results they are hoping
for. For others it will be a day of celebration. I remember getting my
own results, even though it was 30 years ago. I was happy, I got into
the university course I wanted. And as a mother, I have been here twice
before, once with a child who didn't get what she needed and thought it
was the end of the world. It wasn't, but that doesn't make the moment
any less painful. My second time was hard because my son didn't have
exactly what he needed, but got into the course anyway. But there were a
tense few days until he found out. And now for the final time I wait
with a child for the results that will determine whether or not tomorrow
is a happy day. She has another year to get qualifications if this
year's results aren't what she was hoping for. But it would be nice to
have a relaxed 6th year knowing that the academic qualifications are
already achieved.
Exam results are not the only thing that determine what kind of life we have. I have experienced the good and the bad, and have enough life experience behind me to know that our lives can take very winding routes to get to where we want them to be. And there are more important things than exams. But I know that tomorrow the results will be the most important thing to people who are getting them. There will be tears of joy and tears of sadness. I just hope that through it all, people will be able to see that there are opportunities for those who will take them. They may not be the ones that we planned, but they may work out better than we hope. I believe in a God who only asks us to trust Him for our future and the future of our children. He will lead us along the path he wants us to take. And following Him is more important than any qualifications we may gain.
So if your results are good, I rejoice with you. if your results are not as good as you hoped, I weep with you, but not the weeping of the hopeless. Rather only tears of disappointment that turn us to God for guidance as to the next step along the path of our life.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Exam results are not the only thing that determine what kind of life we have. I have experienced the good and the bad, and have enough life experience behind me to know that our lives can take very winding routes to get to where we want them to be. And there are more important things than exams. But I know that tomorrow the results will be the most important thing to people who are getting them. There will be tears of joy and tears of sadness. I just hope that through it all, people will be able to see that there are opportunities for those who will take them. They may not be the ones that we planned, but they may work out better than we hope. I believe in a God who only asks us to trust Him for our future and the future of our children. He will lead us along the path he wants us to take. And following Him is more important than any qualifications we may gain.
So if your results are good, I rejoice with you. if your results are not as good as you hoped, I weep with you, but not the weeping of the hopeless. Rather only tears of disappointment that turn us to God for guidance as to the next step along the path of our life.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
