Don't be afraid of your freedom!

That's it. It's over. I'm done. I'm free to do whatever I want any old time!

I emailed the LAST paper of my seminary career last night. I have no more papers due. No more books to read. No more obligations to fulfill to obtain my Master of Divinity degree. All I have to do is show up at graduation and get the piece of paper that has my name on it followed by "M.Div".

I can not believe that I'm finally here.

I remember ten years ago, taking a lunch time walk at my job at Cannondale Bicycles. I was trudging up a hill contemplating what I would need to to do to pursue this call to ministry that everyone was telling me I had received....a call that I was just starting to hear myself. 

I didn't have a bachelor's degree, I had been out of school for 18 years. How would I even get into a 4-year college? I ticked off the steps in my mind and named them with each footfall up the hill - 2 years of Community college, transfer to a 4-year university, complete my bachelor's degree in 5 years, go to seminary, get my M.Div. in 3 years, find a call, get ordained, be a pastor.

It seemed like an impossible dream. A fairy tale. One of those "if only" scenarios that we play in our minds, especially when we're trying to pass the time on a lunchtime walk, and trying not to think about the drudgery of the job that awaits us back at our desk. 

I did it. 

I made the dream a reality. 

I managed to do it without the Community college step, but other than that I've pretty much stuck to the plan that I rattled off climbing up that hill. 

I still have a couple of steps left on that list....but the longest part of the journey is over. I would say the hardest part, but I know the part that lies ahead is going to be pretty darn tough at times. But just like the longest part of the journey, it will also be full of rewards. 

Look Ma! Top of the world!