Leaving home for college is one of the most life-changing events in a young person’s life.
I know when I left my home in Chicago to attend school in New York I felt as if I was leaving the planet for outer space.
My father flew with me to New York LaGuardia and helped me manage my bags as we took a cab alongside the Hudson River. Admiring the scenery outside the window I felt excited to start this new chapter of my life. Dad helped me get settled as best he could but eventually let me go.
On my own for the first time with no safety net.
This true test of independence would not be as easy as I hoped. You see, I attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. Here, school starts in July with a summer session focused on military training. While my hometown peers shopped for cute bedding to match their future roommates, I endured a crash course in military basics and field training with a lot of people yelling at me constantly.
Nothing was familiar. The constant “hurry up” lifestyle and lack of sleep took a real toll on me. I began to doubt my choices. I was responsible for myself with no one to fall back on.
Thankfully, on Sunday we received a break from the chaos with time allotted to attend church services.
I quickly jumped at the chance. As we marched up to the Catholic chapel I longed for something familiar and a little peace. Just one week away from home felt like a lifetime! As we filed in the sanctuary and took our seats I felt at home. I knew that no matter where I was in the world, my family and friends were listening to the same Gospel message that day.
Our faith not only strengthens us but it joins us to the body of Christ. As tears of gratitude dripped down my cheeks, I felt renewed. My cup filled back up, I knew I could handle one more week.
I claimed my faith that day.
I knew the Church would always be my home. I can do this.
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” Psalm 28:7
