I'm Not As Cool As I Thought

Dorm life is not for the faint of heart.

Can I get a big Amen?

My 20s didn't include living with girlfriends and sharing everything from tank tops to toothpaste. So, you can imagine my excitement over spending four days with my daughter in her dorm last week.

When I got off the plane, there was my beautiful grown-child waiting to escort me to my temporary digs.

Meghan excitedly led me to the temporary place she calls home, her dorm. The odiferous scents of Bath and Body Lotions and microwave popcorn greeted me in the hall and battled it out for first place. Sleeping in her room that evening was going to be fun, right? After a long day of travel and meeting many precious gals, I bedded down for the night. I was sure I was fitting right in, I thought, as I climbed under the covers.

Was I sleeping on a ping pong table? What type of college trickery was this? How can anyone sleep on a mattress as comfortable as a cement slab?  My back caught and immediately reminded me of my middle age. What had happened? I used to be the life of the party. Reality hit me like a baseball bat between the eyes.

Before I realized I would be sleeping on a ping pong table.

After four days of living at The Master's College, I learned a few things:

• The next generation has given me hope for our future. Worshipping with a thousand, twenty-somethings, has a way of piercing your heart. I wish I could attend chapel three days a week with those amazing kids. Chatting with young women about future plans and faith in God does a mother's heart good.
• College has no bed time.  "Mom, would you like to attend the 9:30 pm prayer meeting?" "9:30? Oh honey, God isn't up that late. I think there's a scripture somewhere that says He only takes prayers until 9pm, let me go find it." I tried to convince her. Seriously, those girls are up studying and hanging out until the wee hours of the morning. Yeesh.
• 43 is a great age. Grey hair, flabby arms, and bifocal contacts - yeah, I'll take em'. I wouldn't go back to my twenties if I could.

Stepping back on the plane and heading home, I realized a few things; God has a hand on my precious child. I happily embrace my age. And, I'm not as cool as I thought.

I know you're here because I can smell you!

As Meg started climbing up a hill, she nervously began to grind her gears and ride her breaks. The thick smell of burning brake pad soon filled the tiny car. “Meghan, what the...”

“Mom! I don't need your help. I have driven a stick-shift before.”

Fear fueled her anger, which fueled mine. Once, we were driving again on flat roads I asked her, “What was that all about back there!? Why are you mad at me?”

“Mom, you get me nervous,” she stated matter-of-factly, her eyes staring straight ahead.

“I get you nervous? Seriously?! But, I barely said a word.” Was she using me as her excuse for her poor driving performance back there?

“I can't explain it Mom. You get me nervous.”

My presence was powerful in her midnight blue Elantra. I had no idea. Words didn't need to be spoken for her to know how I was feeling while sitting in the front seat beside her. I couldn't help but think about how as Christians we bring an invisible presence wherever we go too.

A mighty presence of the Holy Spirit, Christ in us. A sweet perfume to some, the scent of death to others. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. 2Cor. 2:15-16


My feelings were hurt again. I'd invited someone over for dinner and at the last minute they called to say they couldn't come. I wanted to throw my triple-layer chocolate cake out the window.

"Why do you continually poke yourself in the eye, Joanne?" Paul asked. He's such a cool drink on a hot day.

"I guess I always have hope they will want to spend time with me."

"Sweetheart, they're just not that into you." Encouragement is not his greatest gift.

But, the above scripture came to mind. Even though I don't bring up Jesus in every conversation, could it be they feel His presence here in our home?

I'd like to think so.

I have the rotten stench of death to some. No matter how hard I try, there will be people who don't want to hang out with me, even people I love.


What about you? Do you stink around some people you know? How have you handled those situations?

Graduation Pictures. (Made you look.)

For those of you who recoil at the mom-blogs who share yet another post of their precious children...move along.

There's nothing to see here.

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