From Oddball to Special

I stood in line with several other College of Education students preparing to enter Garrison Hall at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, USA, where I would be officially recognized as a graduate—an educational specialist.

Unlike my previous graduation from a master’s program, this time I would be hooded. My professor, Judith Jenkins, had sent out an email instructing me to carry my hood over my right arm, but as the line moved along, I noticed that none of the other graduates carried their hood. I saw several wearing their hoods.

I felt a little strange, but my daughter and stepdaughter reassured me it was OK. I was not so sure. I felt tempted to put my hood on so that I would be like all the others. But I did not. I chose to follow my professor’s instructions, even though I did not understand. The families of the graduates marched with them up to the front of the Garrison Center before moving to a designated spot. Each graduate presented their card to the announcer, who read the degree and the name of the candidate. When my turn came, I handed my card to the announcer, and then, before I could move forward to receive my diploma, my professor came over to me, handed me a book, took my hood, placed it on me, and hugged me.

Suddenly I no longer felt like an oddball.

I felt special—it was an experience I will never forget.

My daughter recorded the event, and when I sent it to friends and posted it on Facebook, no one had any idea of the story behind the hooding.

Perhaps they thought everyone did that.

All I can tell them is that I went from feeling like an oddball to special in the blink of an eye. Then I realized that as God’s child and an Adventist believer, there may be times when we feel like oddballs because we do not walk the same path as the rest of the world. We may even feel uncomfortable being different.

We may be tempted to follow the world instead of following God’s instructions. But in God’s eyes we are very special. We are His “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Peter 2:9, NIV). Help me, Father, to remember that when I feel like an oddball, in Your sight I am special—as are all who follow You and not the world. Help us to always hold fast to Your hand, Father.

Sharon (Clark) Mills