Followers

Monday, 6 August 2012

Results

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.

No comments:

Post a Comment