Education—What’s the Point?

Back in college, one of my classmates asked me an interesting question. “So, if you want to have children and stay at home with them, what’s the point of getting your degree, especially a Master’s?”

I had several answers for him—he was sincerely trying to understand my point of view. First, I didn’t know if, or when, I would get married, as one never knows what the future holds. Plus, I had the opportunity to go to school, which is a blessing that should not be taken for granted. And finally, because finishing my Master’s degree was one of my goals in life.

Last night, after my husband and I completed our Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) homework, that “finishing college” conversation came to mind. Our assignment had included video-taping our interactions with Rachel and reviewing what we did well and what we needed to work on for next time. Brandon told me he was impressed by how I could turn even everyday activities into something therapeutic, and the way I could get Rachel’s attention and hold it.

While his words touched me, I couldn’t help but wish to see that old friend and tell him how much my education has come into play over the past 15 years.

Aside from the families I was blessed to help professionally, I had no idea God planned to give me an autistic child of my own. All I knew back then was that I felt led to be a speech-language pathologist.

Once I graduated, I felt led to work with preschoolers, including children with autism, which had not been my intention. (I’d always pictured myself working in a nursing home.) It’s amazing how deeply God loves us and how much He cares for each step of our lives.

So, I will continue to tell my children and anyone else who will listen, education is not a waste of time.