It is graduation time! It’s a time to honor, celebrate, and reflect on your child’s successes. It is your child’s time to shine. They have completed a milestone for sure. They have worked hard, made grades, finished projects, played on multiple sports teams, served on academic clubs, been a part of school activities, and have made a ton of memories and experiences. Many of those experiences have taught them lessons, many they cherish and some they wish not to repeat. Through the years they have learned the value of friendship and the cost of it. Who can forget those middle school friendships and experiences? Some friendships lasted through high school, while others changed. The parents certainly haven’t forgotten those times. Furthermore, our graduates have received much advice and wisdom.  The truth is that the amount of advice our graduates has received cannot be measured. Everyone from parents, grandparents, teachers, guidance counselors, admission counselors, friends, church members, Gospel group leaders, and many others have invested in our graduates.

Graduation is also a time to honor the parents. Who could forget about the caregivers who have spent the last eighteen years teaching and training their children for life’s journey? As many parents can attest, there have been many teachable moments in those years. Not only for the student but also for the parent. By way of reminder to parents, those teachable moments do not end at their high school graduation. They still need voices speaking truth into their lives, particularly godly advice and truth. They have not graduated from life and are still in desperate need of grace-saturated and truth-giving parents. The prayers, wisdom, and guidance do not stop once they receive their diploma. There is yet more life experiences,  journeys to travel, and milestones to reach. They still need godly counsel! Yes, some of them may act like they don’t need it, and yes, some of them may shrug off the wisdom, but deep down they still need it. They have completed a significant milestone in life; however, their next journey is about to begin. College! Careers! Relationships! Decisions! The prayers must not stop for our graduates. We must continue to pray that they will seek God and walk with Him during the next journey. They will need Him close to reach their next milestone. Truly, day by day they are going to need Him!

Graduation is also a time of reflection. It’s acknowledging God’s sovereign hand working through time to bring about this momentous occasion. We must remember to thank Him for His grace and blessings. Our children are a blessing, and it is moments like this that remind us of His love. Further, reflection also reminds parents about the concept of time and change. How much have our graduates changed over the years? They have probably changed a lot since middle school, or better have. In fact, family photos remind us of their life and how much they have changed. Some parents might question, “Where did all the time go?” It seems like yesterday they were learning how to ride a bike. Now they drive cars and go to jobs, and with a little coercing, run errands. Time indeed does seem to go by so very fast. Who can forget the first pulled-tooth, and the bumps and scrapes, and the growing pains from childhood to middle-school? What about the awkward middle-school to high-school transition?  So many memories come to mind. No parent will forget the art contests, sports games, and anything that students found interesting at that particular point in their life.  To be honest, God used those explorations to help mold and shape their character.  Some of them were wonderful memories, and others were trials. Either way, they helped shape our graduates right before their parent’s eyes. The time invested is priceless. Wisdom, love, support, they all have been deposited. Now, our graduates stand at the end of one milestone, ready to take on the next journey. For sure, they will achieve more milestones, have fantastic experiences, and face obstacles. The only way to confront them is hand in hand with Jesus. Parents, we partner with you in prayer for your graduate. Graduates, we pray that you will glorify God with your life. We are excited to see and hear how God uses you in the next journey. Congratulations. We celebrate with you.

Psalm 16:7-11

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

in the night also my heart instructs me.

I have set the Lord always before me;

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

my flesh also dwells secure.

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

or let your holy one see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.