Nostalgic Monday

In the hospital of the lobby where I work is an information desk. It is staffed by two groups of people.

During the daytime, the senior citizens take over it. They are lovely, always smiling, and I’ve never seen them standing up in all my time there.

During the evening hours, the desk is invaded by 12 year old brainiacs. No joke, these guys are so young their parents have to drop them off at the door. They have their calculus books in their laps and their specs on the bridge of their noses. Once in a while, I hear them giggling about something or another. But for the most part, they look down when I walk by.

They want to be doctors. Or so they think. They are full of hope and promise and zeal for a profession they think will fulfill their deepest longings and dreams. I know. I was one of them once, a long long time ago.

Now I simply walk by and smile, wondering what will become of them.

Will they stay the course? Will they do the work? Will they be able to overcome the occasional failure that is sure to come their way? Will they endure to the end?

My mind drifts back to my own life. So many dreams accomplished, so many goals met. Now I’m chasing other dreams, and in some ways, I’m like the 12 year olds at the information desk – full of hope and promise and zeal.

Will I stay the course? Will I do the work? Will I be able to overcome failure? Will I endure to the end?

I wonder what they think when they see me walk by, my 12 year old friends. Do they think I’m happy? Do they know I’m still just like them – chasing a dream, a hope, a promise?

Seeing them makes me sad – both the senior citizens and the playground crew. Life is short. Life goes fast. Seasons change but the elements remain the same. And eventually, the end.

The point isn’t to become a doctor, a speaker, a writer, an influencer. At the end all that matters is knowing the only one who does. Every act, every thought, every goal for His glory and pleasure.

The measure of success is a life lived faithfully one day at a time.

That’s a hard truth to accept after years of hard work. That’s the best truth to hang on to when you’re still chasing a dream. Stop looking around you, behind you, ahead. Fix your eyes upward and work for the one who sees.

Because the end is the just the beginning.

It’s monday and I’m feeling nostalgic. See you tomorrow.

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