College Questions

Blondechick and I sure had a great time visiting Wheaton College.  More accurately, she visited Wheaton; I visited with friends!

And it was probably more helpful to me than sitting on an Old Testament class, because it gave me a chance to process--out loud, which always helps me--some of the decision points we are facing in the coming months.  A big one is whether a Christian college education is worth the cost.

When I was choosing a college, it never ever crossed my mind that I might want to choose a state school or a secular private college.  I think I must have instinctively guessed that if I was going to leave the security of my church and family and become independent, it would be good to be surrounded by Christians as I first spread my wings.  I didn't think of a Christian college as shelter, but as support--like warm, friendly air currents to help me lift off.  Storms may come later on, but you want nice weather when you're first learning to fly!

Of course, I also chose the college I did because I thought the professors there would be academically excellent, and good mentors as well.  I hoped to make Christian friends there that I would have for the rest of my life--which happened!--Papa Rooster included!  I wanted to gain a Christian perspective on the world, and I read so many good books, heard so many good speakers, had so many stimulating conversations that all brought me much further along in my adult faith.

And I see Bantam19 and Blondechick17 and I think of launching them from our home...and I want, for Blondechick especially, what I received.  She wants it too, and the expense seems like a good investment.  But B19 is a more confusing case.

Because of his autism, we're not as certain that he can handle a full course load.  We're also not sure how well he will function independently--whether he can manage time, money and priorities--and we have little sense of what direction to steer him.  There is no clear area that he's gifted in or passionate about that will translate to a career, that we can identify yet.  So it seems unwise financially to start him out in a traditional college setting.  What he wants is to live at home, work and take a few classes in computers, and that seems like a good plan to us.

But are we short-selling him?  If he were able to complete a four-year degree--and surely we could find a school where he could pass classes as he's done successfully all through high school--his options after college would be greater.  He would benefit as much as Blondechick from a Christian environment while he transitions toward independence. 

And there are several potential hitches in our current plan.  One is if he's unable to get a driver's license.  Then how will he get to a job, or get to class?  There are buses, but I'd have to drive him and pick him up at the nearest (not so) bus stop.  He'll attempt to pass the driver's test in June, and God could surely smooth the way before him...but how likely is he to get a job if he can't say that he has a driver's license?  And if he doesn't have a job, what will he do all day?  He'll play around on the computer and watch reruns of Star Trek, if we let him.  So we should keep him busy taking classes, but where?  The local community college?  The local state school?  Maybe it makes more sense to have him live in a dorm and take more classes, if he doesn't have a license or a job...and we're back to the original question of whether the Christian environment is worth the cost?

Lord, you know the plans you have for him, plans to prosper him and not to harm him, plans to give him a hope and a future.  Reveal to us, Lord, what we need to know to put him on the right path.  Go before him and prepare the way--the license, the job, the education--if these are things you have planned for him, and give us the patience, the trust and the faith we need to wait for your timing on these.  And if they are not in Your plans for him, prepare the alternatives--and open our eyes to see them and our ears to hear about them.  Give him direction when he prays, Father.  Help him to hear your voice and follow it.  You made our son.  You love him and you have a future for him.  Help me trust and not be anxious.  Amen.