Article June 14, 1999 Issue

DON'T LOSE YOUR COOL

Melanie Ann Wahlberg

To prepare for college graduation, I attended a meeting designed to help students make sure they were fulfilling all graduation requirements. During the meeting, our facilitator announced a deadline for submitting certain documents. She remarked that she was sure we all had taken care of this, since the deadline had already passed. However, I hadn't yet submitted these documents, so it appeared that my graduation could be delayed, which would seriously disrupt my plans.

I knew I could turn right then to God, and I did. My prayer was simple: "Thy will be done." I reasoned that because God is all good, His will included a perfect outcome that could only bless me. I also recognized the need to give up my own agenda and listen for God's direction. Despite having to wait almost an hour before the workshop ended, I didn't feel panicked, distracted, or frantic. Nor did I feel a need to reorganize my life mentally in case I didn't graduate on time. Though I didn't know how the situation would turn out, the most gentle and reassuring feeling of peace settled over me.

After the workshop, I asked the facilitator if there was anything I could do to graduate on time. She thought a moment, and then said, "If you are willing to fill this application out tonight and submit it tomorrow morning, we will extend the deadline for you." I gratefully accepted, thanking God for this simple resolution and, more important, for a better understanding that harmony is always available to us through prayer. I had felt so close to God throughout this experience.

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