Am I Out of the Woods Yet?

I posted this photo to my Instagram last night with the caption:

Grad school has me thinking…

‘Am I out of the woods yet?’ Nope. It’s only September.

And yes I just referenced Taylor Swift.

 

I had read a devotional that morning from “Thirty One Days of Prayer for the Dreamer + Doer” that talked about seasons in life. It seems like I blog a lot about seasons in my life on here, but I guess it’s something I can easily apply.

In the devotional it asked “Would you describe your current life season as being in the valley or the mountaintop?” Neither I thought. I’m right in the middle. 

Taylor Swift’s song “Out of the Woods” automatically popped into my head. Honestly don’t ask me why, but it is the perfect metaphor.

Here’s how the chorus goes: And I began thinking “Am I out of the woods yet? Am I out of the woods yet? Am I out of the woods yet? Am I out of the woods? Am I in the clear yet? Am I in the clear yet? Am I in the clear yet? In the clear yet? Good.”

No. No I’m not out of the woods. No I’m not in the clear.

I’ve basically just stepped into the woods and made it maybe 400 yards.

And no there are no woods in West Texas. Just plains. But stick with me. 

Being in graduate school has me in the woods. I have to keep my head down and focus on what is in front of me and work through the brush and trees until I get to the other side. I can turn all around and all I see is woods. I have to work hard to keep going and keep pushing to the other side. I don’t have the time or energy to focus on anything much else going on. 

But I know my time in the “woods” of grad school isn’t going to last forever, very short actually. Someday I’ll be in the clear. I’ll be able to confirm along with Taylor Swift when she asks“Are we in the clear yet?” I’ll say in unison with her, “Good.”

Honestly, by writing this don’t think I’m already ready to be done with grad school. Not at all ready actually. I love it and am so happy I made the decision to pursue it. But man is it a lot of work and mostly a lot of reading

But sooner than I probably want I’ll be out of the other side of the grad school forest. And I’ll be writing on here about whatever season I’m facing next. 

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

I’ve made it a goal this semester to wake up every day and be thankful for the place I’m at. Some days I could of used more sleep or may have tons of reading to do, but I truly am incredibly blessed to have this opportunity. I know not everyone gets the chance to pursue their education, especially higher education. Thankfully I have the strong desire to do so. So as I go onto campus today to prepare for another presentation and work, I’ll try to be thankful for this season and try not get stressed out. 

If you made all the way to the end of this blog post and can something understand my metaphor of being “in the woods” then you deserve a hug or a high-five. 

What season of life are you currently in?

Have you ever had a “in the woods” season?