My son is waiting for those college acceptance letters. The big ones that bring the residence hall sign-up forms, not the small ones that are only large enough to convey the sincere regret the institution feels so deeply at having to turn down that perfect son or daughter.

I have played out the possible scenarios in my mind a thousand times, or ten thousand. This seemed so easy when I did it. One application, one acceptance, and one way to pay for it. God's call seemed so certain.

And the shape of that call has emerged, clearly formed in that early decision. Clearly the right decision to have made.

What if more than one big envelope shows up? Each opportunity seems so great, and so different. And all I want, have ever wanted, is for him to discover the shape of God's hand on his life. Now I am afraid there will be too many choices and not enough shaping. How do you decide?