Placing Your Teenagers in God's Hands

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

About seven to eight months ago, I began praying about my 16-year-old son’s college search. I’ve been asking God to lead and guide my husband, son, and I to the best college suited for him as we compared and visited schools. We had a rocky beginning as we debated what schools we wanted our son to attend and where and what we could afford.

As we each did our research, our differences soon faded, and we began to see things eye to eye. The first school we visited, which I believe was God’s leading, was Indiana University of Pennsylvania—IUP for short. The visit entailed a 6-hour road trip and an overnight stay at a hotel, but it was well worth it. We were greeted with a wonderful presentation about the university in an auditorium, a comprehensive campus tour of the buildings and business school (my son’s future major), and a free lunch in one of the many campus cafeterias. IUP rolled out the red carpet for visiting parents and prospective students, and we enjoyed every minute of it. All of us really liked the school and its academics. We were very pleased.

Westchester University

Next, we visited Westchester University, but we weren’t too thrilled about the school. The campus wasn't as nice as IUP's; the tour was rushed; and we didn’t get to see the business school, which I later learned doesn’t have state-of-the-art facilities like IUP does. 

Today my husband, son, and I took a spontaneous, two-hour car ride to Bloomsburg University. There were no campus tours scheduled, but we wanted to see the campus anyway because we were curious about the school. The campus was really nice, and from what I’ve read they have a wonderful business school with state-of-the-art facilities.

In July, IUP has four early-decision days scheduled for prospective students. We decided to register for one of those days and revisit the school. When we arrive, we’ll drop off our son’s transcripts, SAT scores, and letters of recommendation at the admissions office, enjoy another presentation, campus tour, and free lunch, and return to the admissions office to see if our son has been accepted. That’s right, we’ll know the committee’s decision that same day. I’m looking forward to this visit. I’m praying my son will get accepted. If he does, he’ll receive a great education in a rural environment at a great school that has so much to offer.

Bloomsburg University

What I’ve learned from this experience is that God’s hand has been leading and guiding us every step of the way. And He will continue to do so until He places our son in the right college he’s supposed to be in. It’s all in His hands. All we have to do is enjoy the ride.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may you continue to direct our search for the perfect college best suited for our son. May you place him where he ought to be. And when you do, may you help him study hard, get good grades, graduate with honors, and find a job that he’ll enjoy. In Jesus’ name, amen.