August 2016, Vol.4 Issu.1
For This Day
For this Day By: Hannah-Beth Kline My heart felt tight with anxiety. Every breath I took was a conscious effort. My eyes stared pleadingly at the gray-blue carpet, hoping it might swallow me whole. August 13th, 2014: House Retreat. For the first time in many years, I stood completely alone at a new school; one insignificant sophomore against hundreds of accomplished strangers. Wadding my new House shirt into a nervous ball of wrinkles, I mentally wrestled with a plethora of doubts. Suddenly, out of nowhere, in marched six girls. For a brief second, I glanced at their smiling faces, wishing I had the courage to approach them. To my absolute astonishment, all six of them walked right up to me. I blinked. It was no mistake. These girls had walked into this room to find me specifically. For as long as I live, I will never forget their introduction: “Hi! You’re Hannah-Beth! You’re new! We don’t get
so many new people in high school so we’ve already studied your CDA Connect Profile and are thrilled to meet you in person! Welcome to Coram Deo!” The greatest wordsmith could not have crafted a more perfect introduction. An introduction. A ten-second “hello”. Seemingly trivial, right? Yet in that moment, in that tiny act of reaching out, these six girls unknowingly provided me the courage to make a pivotal decision. For months beforehand, one burdensome doubt – that I was neither fit nor destined to attend this school - hung oppressively on my shoulders. But by accepting me without question even before they truly knew me, these six girls helped me to close my eyes and dive head first into this mysterious new adventure. At the end of the day, as I rode home breathless and beaming, my entire perspective had changed. My doubts as to whether I would fit in at CDA lay prostrate on the ground. Upon my shoulders rested nothing but overwhelming contentment. I had found where I belonged.
My dear readers, this is a wake-up call to both incoming and returning families. To our incoming families, a whole-hearted hello and a word of encouragement: do not be afraid. God does not direct without purpose. Therefore your coming to this school, this treasure trove of opportunities, is no mistake. Enjoy this blessing to the fullest. Never let apprehension hinder you from investing in what you truly love! Coram Deo’s design allows students to invest in a multitude of activities without robbing them of academic success. Furthermore, let nothing manipulate the identity God has placed in you. At this school, you will never be torn asunder. No matter what your talents and interest, there is a family waiting with open arms behind every activity. I shudder to think how quickly my talents and grades would have deteriorated were it not for my theater family, my choir family, and my House of Wright family constantly lifting me up and pushing me onward. To our returning families, a warm welcome back and a call to action: open your hearts. While most of you are busily writing the third, fifth, and in some cases the twelfth installments to your CDA book, remember those who are just now beginning. You look back upon chapters-full of adventures, but they must face the tyranny of the blank page. You share the same Author; why not share the same stories? A warning: apathy and embarrassment serve as your greatest enemies here. Do not shrug off this calling, saying “there are hundreds of students here! Why should I be the first to introduce myself?” Further, do not let small embarrassments, such as forgetting someone’s name, keep you from the blessings of new friendships. For all of us, introductions are not just an obligation to cordiality. It can be the first step of your next big adventure. Jump
in!
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.