My First 60 Days After High School: Preparing for My College Life

By Vanessa Ebling

What happens the day after you graduate from high school? You start a new path in your life! My First 60 Days after High School will challenge you to step up in your faith as you step out into the world. This devotional will encourage you to keep God first in your life as you ponder, pray, and make decisions regarding relationships, classes and activities in college. Let these daily Scripture readings and practical, relevant advice strengthen and prepare you for the college path God has planned for you!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 28, 2013
• ISBN: 9781449781989

Vanessa Ebling

Vanessa is an English teacher at Valley Lutheran High School. She is a chaplain, youth group leader, and editor/curriculum writer for Prairie Lakes Church, Cedar Falls, Iowa. She resides with her husband, Dave, in Waverly, Iowa.

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Copyright © 2013 VANESSA EBLING.

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-8198-9 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8199-6 (sc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013901590

WestBow Press rev. date: 1/28/2013

Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

Path of Life

Now What?

Fellowship

Happy Heart

Dinner, Anyone?

Good News

Rejoice!

Dance for Jesus

I Will Praise You!

Thirsty Soul

What Does it Mean?

O Be Careful Little Mouth

Trust Him

He Loves You

Best Friends

Delight in God

Listen

Gentle Whisper

Heart’s Cry

Bee-line for God

Don’t Sell Out

Grace-Giver

God’s Thunderstorms

Overcoming Obstacles

Danger Signs

Escape Route

Transformed

Submit to Resist

Pure Thoughts

No Higher Authority

God is in Control

God’s Got Your Back

Heart Whisperer

God’s Marathon Runner

Church it

Take Me Out

Worry Wart

Rest from Burdens

Humbleness

Light of the World

Stand Firm

Bold Bumper

God’s Names

Living Word

Sword of the Spirit

Sustain or Rescue?

Giant Conqueror

Humbled by Mockers

Forgiving Heart

God’s Truth

God’s Eyes

Wise Friends

Explore your Gifts

Jesus with Skin on

Harvest for God

The Master Planner

God of Order

False Counselors

Wise Teachers

Learning to Love

To Hayley

Acknowledgements

This devotional would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of my wonderful family, in particular, my husband Dave for understanding my desire to reach teens through this devotional and supporting me throughout the process, and my daughter Elizabeth for helping with design and content. My friend Renee encouraged me to publish this book and used her amazing photography skills to take my dreaded author’s photo. I would also like to thank one of my former students, Lindsey Clement, for sharing her God-given talent by drawing a wooded path for the book.

Hayley, this book is dedicated to you. Your tragedy inspired this writing, and my prayer is that it will help you heal. I love you dearly.

Lastly, but most importantly, I thank and praise my Lord Jesus Christ, who rescued me, sustained me, and loved me through all of the ups, downs, tragedies and triumphs of my life. Jesus, You are my life.

Preface

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path

(Ps. 119:105).

Ever tried walking along a dark path without a light? It can be very painful, frustrating, humiliating, and sometimes rather scary. My college path was one bruised knee or sprained ankle after another. Most of the time I walked in darkness. I was a Christian, but I didn’t use the light I needed; I didn’t use the Word of God.

God’s Word is the only way to truly illuminate the college path that God has planned for you. It can save you from a lot of bumps, bruises, and injuries to your faith. I am going to walk a little while with you along this path, sharing His Word and adding a little wisdom, a touch of humor, and a splash of experience.

I wrote this high school graduate’s devotional because of my three passions: my relationship with Jesus, my relationships with teens, and my love of writing. My own path with Jesus started when I was fifteen; God convicted me of my sins, and I repented and gave my life to Him. My attempts to connect with Christians during high school were unsuccessful; I always felt like an outsider at Bible studies or youth gatherings. When I entered college, I was spiritually weak and vulnerable to the world around me. Eventually, I found myself hopelessly lost in the poor choices that I made regarding friends, activities, and dating. In my darkness, I chose to marry an unfaithful, non-Christian alcoholic. My choices not only affected me, but forever changed the lives of my family. I truly believe that if I had sought out the mentoring, encouragement and advice of older and wiser people that I obviously needed during my college years, I may have made wiser and less painful choices.

Now as I join in the lives of my students and my children, I can encourage those who are struggling --with a smile, a hug, and a word of advice-- because I know that my God is a God of redemption. He rescued me from my abusive marriage