A Big Day in Charlotte

   Today is a big day in the Charlotte Bowman's household..Sawyer goes off to college. Mom and Dad and number one son, left pretty early this morning for Brunswick, Maine and a new adventure at Bowdoin College. Everyone left looking happy and excited, but I imagine, deep down, that there were some other emotions that were being kept under wraps. Different emotions for each of the three, and for the sister left behind, and for each, a wonder of how it will all work out.

   Thirty-one years ago, we had the same situation in our Apison household. Dwayne was going off to Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. We got to take him there, get him set up in the dorm, give all the sage counsel that we could think of, then just leave him on his own and pray. There was a sense of pride that he was on his own (somewhat), and that this could be a great experience for him. He was going to continue his running with the track and cross country teams, and we had no doubt that he would do well academically.

   As I look at Sawyer, I see the same sort of attributes. A willingness to work hard in the areas of athletics and academics, a responsible attitude, a good moral compass, and an ability to interact and get along with a diverse group of people. Will he have some problems, some of which he may pass along to the folks back home and some he may not? Will there be opportunities for growth as well as opportunities for being less than his best? Sure, but he has what it takes to prosper in that environment.

   I gave him a book as he left, Thriving in College, written by a college professor in California. The gist of the writing is that a young person can not only survive in college, he or she can actually thrive. Hopefully it will remind him of the things that it takes to come out strong on the other end of the experience.

   Here are some of the things that I pray for him as he enters this new realm.

   That he will find Christian friends.

   That he will stay healthy.

   That he will keep his life in balance athletically, academically, socially, and spiritually.

   That God will be close to him and bless him in all he does.

   Amen