i need your help

Seven months ago, I took on a task that has since pushed me and challenged me in ways that I never wanted to be pushed or challenged. But I could not be more grateful for it. I learned to initiate conversations with strangers, friends, and family about a subject that can be awkward and uncomfortable for everyone, including myself, to discuss. Yet Jesus has so much to say about it. That subject is money.

Seven months ago, I began fundraising to go on Young Life College staff in Germany for a minimum of five years. It has been a gift to have these conversations and invite people to be a part of what God is doing. 

Seven months ago, I had 0% of my budget raised. Today, I have 70%. And my goal is to be 100% funded by the end of this year. Will you help? Please watch the following short video to learn more!

To give, go to giving.younglife.org and search for "Stutts" under "A Young Life Staff Member's Ministry." Then select "Amy Stutts (TDS Chair)." All donations are tax deductible. Thank you!

class of 2014

Don’t you just hate it when you’re right, but the person who was wrong wins or gets their way? I don’t mind being wrong. But if I’m right, and things still don’t go my way… Something in me screams it’s an injustice. That it’s not fair.

I don’t think God is too concerned about what’s fair though. I think He’s more concerned about people knowing Him. I think He’s more concerned about my transformation to become more like Him…

Seven months ago, I took my last final, turned in my last paper, curled my hair, put on a pretty dress, and then covered it up with an unflattering graduation gown. But I didn’t care because it was my graduation day!

Now fast forward…

Two weeks ago, I discovered that I hadn’t actually graduated… I was less than happy. Not only was I not finding out about this until seven months later, but I really did graduate. I fulfilled every single requirement. The school’s records, however, showed that my degree was never awarded because I “never submitted my Senior Writing Requirement”. False. I submitted it once my junior year only to later discover it was never recorded, so I re-submitted it my senior year. Except apparently it still wasn’t there.

My initial reaction was that I’ve earned this degree and it’s not my fault that I don’t have it. I did everything right and now the people who are at fault are either not fixing their mistake as quickly as I think they should or they’re trying to fix it by changing my graduation date to May 2015 instead of May 2014. Okay, no. That’s not good enough. Because I want my diploma to say 2014. And I want my name on the Senior Walk to be under 2014. And in my head… That’s what I deserve. That’s what I’ve earned. That’s what I’m entitled to and I don’t think that’s unreasonable.

But is that what this is really about? God is sovereign and He could have made sure my paper was recorded either of the first two times it was submitted. But He didn’t and it wasn’t. Out of the thousands of people graduating, I was the only one whose degree fell through the cracks. The only one.

But is it really that big of a deal? Is angrily demanding that my name be engraved in one sidewalk instead of another forgiving someone who just made an honest mistake? Does the possibility of the wrong year on a piece of paper give me the right to yell at someone, who isn’t even at fault, but just had the misfortune of picking up the phone when I call? No. Jesus says I’m better than that and He calls me to a higher standard. Maybe graduating with the class of 2015 is worth it if it aids in the process of me becoming more like Christ. My life, every aspect of my life, should point people to Jesus. And if that means sacrificing something, even something I’ve rightfully earned… Then who cares?

Jesus laid down His rights. Then I should lay down mine. Especially one as insignificant as this.

(**UPDATE: I’ll officially be graduating with the class of 2014!)