Last night, my youngest daughter, Kate, graduated from middle school. This was an exciting celebration for her and a significant milestone for us – we are officially saying peace out to middle school :). 8th-grade graduation represents the end of an era and the beginning of the next chapter – high school. I am so proud of Kate. She has done so well in middle school, and I am excited to celebrate her tonight as well as to look forward to all God has in store for her in the future.
Graduations are some of the best moments in life. The accomplishment. The celebration. The achievement of completing a challenge deserves recognition. As a pastor, I have a front-row seat for so many graduations. Whether in my own family or in our church family, the spring brings a plethora of graduation cards, parties and events. To be there when babies are born and then watch them grow up in the Lord, it is always so sweet to walk alongside families and to rejoice in these significant markers in one’s life.
At church, we have the Rolling Hills Learning Center. It is so precious to watch these preschoolers at graduation and see their parents, grandparents, teachers, siblings all celebrating the moment. It is beautiful to think about how many people are pouring into this child’s life and to think about the spiritual foundation they have for going forward in their life.
From preschool, it is 5th-grade graduation, then 8th-grade graduation, followed by high school graduation, college graduation and maybe even graduate-level graduation. All significant moments that represent markers in a person’s life. The culmination of hard work and investment of time, energy and effort, and the beginning of a new chapter.
You celebrate what you value.
When these graduations come, take the time to celebrate. May is such a packed season; in fact, we are starting to call it “May-cemember” because it rivals December on the busy scale. But, don’t miss it. Take the time to be present, to celebrate, to congratulate and to ponder the incredible work God is doing in the child’s life. We all value progress, accomplishment and achievement so celebrate it well. Take a lot of pictures and make the graduate feel special.
The celebration is for them and for you. Speak words of blessing and encouragement into the graduate’s life. But, also, realize the celebration is for you as well. As a parent, sibling, teacher, coach, and church leader – God has allowed you to have a part in their story. What a joy and a blessing! Your prayers, time, energy, effort and investment have mattered. Now, the graduate is going out carrying your spiritual DNA. Pray they prosper and God uses them in a mighty way for His glory! Pray they can celebrate at many other graduations, their own and others in the days and years ahead.
As Christ-followers, we should be preparing for our own graduation one day. In life, we are on a journey to grow, learn and progress deeper into Jesus all the time. We should be maturing in faith, grace and love. And, ultimately one day, we will walk from this life into the next life and stand before our Lord and Savior. At this graduation, we will hear, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” And, then we will celebrate! We will not throw our hats up in the air, but we will lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus. At that moment, all the hard work of praying, reading His Word, serving His Church and more will feel like such a joy. We did it! Really, God did it through us. And, we will celebrate with our brothers and sisters in Christ for all eternity. This life is the proving ground for our faith. So, let’s give Him our best, and let’s show what we value. Happy Graduation to you and to yours! May God be glorified in it all and may we celebrate well!