Graduates – the World is Your Oyster!

You did it, Grads, and we’re so proud of you! I know it’s not a laughing matter because the pain is real, but this guy amused me with his sentiments about the graduation situation. The other photo here is of a virtual graduation where robots were used to represent the graduates. Can this be the Twilight Zone?

I've sent off dosh-loaded graduation cards to some of my beloved family members because -- well, there won't be graduations-as-usual. I’ve been entertained by the way some of you moms and dads are making sure your graduates are being applauded – signs in yards, drive-bys, photos, and expressions of love and support on social media. Congrats to all of you -- graduates AND parents! It's a great feat to have made it to this Rite of Passage even though all those 12 years (and more) have ended abruptly in a lack-luster way of celebrating you. But, the celebration isn’t the goal – the accomplishments, perseverance, tenacity, fortitude is what matters. So, well done! What a memory you'll tell your kids about one day!

Of course, you were supposed to have had a BIG graduation party to kick-start your accomplishments. But, instead, you’ve already been introduced to the world of complexities and challenges. In the commencement speeches, you were supposed to have heard “the world is your oyster” as you embark on your adult life. Everything is open to you like the metaphor of an oyster that there’s a chance it has a pearl in it. I’m believing that you will find MANY pearls!

Here’s some GOOD NEWS -- you’ve gained a head start on conquering. You’ve acquired a great start on mental toughness and being a winner and winners never quit and quitters never win. Go forth into this world declaring that “if God is for me, no one (or thing) can be against me!" (Romans 8:31) Run your race. You’re in it to win it – regardless of the way your graduation looked. I pray that all of you graduates pursue God's will first and foremost -- being a God-pursuer. Because as a God-pursurer, you'll land right where God intends you to land.

To all Graduates and Dreamers – “Before you ever came into being, God called your name. He formed you with love and intricately designed every part of who you would become. You truly are made "in an amazing and wonderful way" (Psalm 139:14). You are here because God looked out over all of time and space and chose you for this generation right here -- right now! There will never be another you or another opportunity to do what only you are chosen to complete.

So, go out there in boldness knowing that you don't have to be like anyone else. You are chosen for one life — yours. And the wonderful news? Whatever God chooses for you to do, He has equipped you for it. Being chosen means that success is simply obedience and trusting God will do the rest. Being chosen means that you have God as your partner every step of the way. We'll be cheering you on every step too! The best is yet to be for you and we can't wait to see it unfold. Now show off that life by making it the best life it could ever be for God, others and YOU!

Cheers to the Underachievers who Overcame!

Cheers to the Underachievers who Overcame!
I love following my friends’ posts on Facebook and social media -- especially this time of year when they are proudly celebrating their children's graduations and academic achievements, as well as announcing the ivy league or major state universities that they will be attending in the fall. I always congratulate the entire family because it takes a village -- an entire village of teachers, coaches, counselors, mentors and most of all, parents and siblings that helped facilitate those achievements. I applaud all of you. Oh, the places those graduates will go!

For today's post, however, I'm leaning into those families who were over-the-moon thrilled because they even made it to graduation because it was a tough field to hoe for their child. They didn't have the financial means to put their kids in all of the sports, clubs, groups or other extracurricular activities. I want to cheer for the single moms or dads who didn't have a village to support them. In fact, they had to work two jobs just to put food on the table and ensure their kids had a sack lunch to take with them instead of buying cafeteria food.

I want to applaud all the young people who were willing to get an after-school job to help out with the family budget. I want to celebrate those who weathered the storms of conflict in their home where parents weren't getting along or where a sibling or parent’s health required their extra attention. Maybe they had to step up and be a cook and do more chores to help out. God bless the young people who were willing to walk to school or ride the bus while other kids were dropped off at the door. God bless them even more for not complaining – for sticking to their goals of finishing. And they did. They walked across that platform to receive their diploma because they earned it. Here’s what I know…..the eyes of THE ONE saw them and I’m quite sure He is bursting with pride and joy because they are one of His and He will use them.

Regardless whether you are the best of the best, the star athlete, the “best dressed”, the one voted “most likely to succeed” and the leader of all…..God can use you, too! Just look at St. Paul who was a renown scholar AND a servant. And, God uses "commoners" -- like most of us. Just look at His disciples -- fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot. I pray God blesses each and every one of you -- those who are blessed with means, talents, and abilities and those who are stretching to be the best you can be and have talents and abilities in your own right! I praise God Who specializes in using very ordinary, everyday people AND those with degrees and pedigrees to change the world. The over AND underachievers are designed by God to be those who do something that lasts throughout eternity -- to do some things that outlast us. We aren’t so entangled with stuff as we are caught up in bearing the burdens of others even less fortunate than us, being the hands and feet of Jesus to the hurting, the ones Who wake up saying “What are my marching orders for today, God?” Wherever we’ve been and wherever we’re going – may it be God’s divine plan that assures us we landed right where we were supposed to land – right in the smack dab middle of God’s plans and purposes for our lives.

So here’s to the overachievers who worked hard, studied hard, and received the accolades and honors you deserved. And, here’s to the underachievers who overcame so many obstacles and you MADE IT! Now, may we all come together to be the kind of people who are radical in our faith and determination to be examples of God’s love in the world and who help change it!

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Graduates -- Oh the Places You Will Go!

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the graduate photos and accolades that you moms and dads, friends and family members have been posting. No question -- Graduation Day is exciting, sweet and, oftentimes, combined with fear and trepidation about what the future holds. "Where are they going? What are they going to do? Where am I going? What am I going to do? Will they be okay? Will I be okay?" It's a wonderful time of realizing dreams and goals were accomplished and it's also an uneasy time of wondering about what the future holds.

No doubt, these graduations bring joys and the immense feeling of accomplishment AND a “Whew! We did it!” said by those who made a huge investment of their time and treasure into this big day. That long-lasting commencement ceremony is over, along with the speeches about pursuing your dreams, trusting yourself, taking risks and embracing change. For many graduates, well, the future is bright and exciting and nothing short of fantastic. For, others, it may be a stretch and a process of figuring out what to do with all this acquired knowledge along with the apparent responsibilities that loom up ahead.

Whether or not we realize it, we all have expectations of how our lives are going to go. We have pictured it time and time again in our heads. Some picture traveling the world while pursuing their dream job. Some picture a white picket fence with four beautiful, well-behaved children and an always-loving husband or wife, while others see themselves owning a Fortune 500 company by the time they turn 25. And, there is absolutely nothing wrong with pursuing dreams, but first and foremost we must know the importance of including God's plans in our plans.

Here’s the best case scenario for these wonderful and accomplished graduates AND you and me. Jeremiah 1:5 & Psalm 139:14 says “Before you ever came into being, God called your name. He formed you with love and intricately designed part of who you would become. You truly are made in an amazing and wonderful way". The fact is none of us are on this path by coincidence. We are here because God looked out over all of history and chose you and me for a particular time and purpose. We could have entered the world a hundred years ago or a thousand years from now. But we are in this generation, this time, and there will never be another you and me or another opportunity to do what only you and I are chosen to complete.

So, to all you Graduates – here’s my prayer and thoughts for you….”Go out there in boldness knowing that you don't have to be like anyone else. You don't have to do what any other person has done. You are CHOSEN for one life — yours. And the wonderful news? Whatever God CHOOSES for you to do, He will equip you. Being CHOSEN means you will be given all you need. Being CHOSEN means that success is simply obedience and trusting God will do the rest. Being CHOSEN means that you have a great big God as your partner every step of the way. Those who love you will be cheering you on every step, too! The best is yet to be for you and we can't wait to see it unfold.

“Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

In the Light of Eternity

One of my favorite sayings is “In the light of eternity….it just won’t matter”! And, I usually say it when discussions go controversial, or when I'm making a trivial decision. Bottom line, like the “God quote” here, this life is just so short, why should we sweat the small stuff? We’re going to spend much more time in heaven, than we are on earth. In his book, "Purpose Driven Life", Rick Warren said “Earth is the staging area, the preschool, the tryout for your life in eternity. It is the practice workout before the actual game; the warm-up lap before the race begins. This life is preparation for the next”.

When we really understand that there is so much more to life than just the here and now, and we understand that this life is just preparation for eternity, we’ll begin to live differently. And, my saying “in the light of eternity” will make much more sense. We’ll be able to handle every task, every circumstance, every relationship “in the light of eternity”. Those things that once seemed so important to us—the activities, the problems, the conquests will seem quite unimportant on the radar. Maybe on this earth’s radar, a BIG DEAL. On heaven’s radar, not even a blip on the radar screen.

That’s why, on the day of my Sweetheart’s graduation to heaven, I became his Mid-Wife. I coached him to “Push, Baby, Push!” to the other side….for there he would be living where the wonder and splendor of heaven is beyond explanation. What I knew, is that I loved him too much to keep him from one more minute of the bliss that awaited him. It was time for his BIRTH-day in heaven -- where "in the light of eternity", he was home sweet home.