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!

And, I Think to Myself......What a Wonderful World!

I’m loving being in WA and back to my routine of taking my two youngest grandsons to school and picking them up in the afternoon! Yesterday morning, as we headed out of the driveway, we heard on the radio, Louis Armstrong singing “And I think to myself, “What a Wonderful World”. Suddenly, I had a sweet memory. As Louis’ song continued, it was the background as I told them this story:

“It was our first morning home from the hospital, and the doctors had just told us they had done all they could do to help Papa get well. Papa was lying in his bed. Do you remember how he could see the lake from the bed?" Both of the boys remembered. I went on, “I can’t even imagine all that must have been going on in Papa’s head as he looked out our bedroom windows that were open wide that morning. Wasn’t it so cool how Papa and Nana’s window faced the little lake (the accompanying picture is that view)? I’ll bet Papa was thinking about you guys and what fun he had fishing with you down there! It was such a beautiful morning. The water was smooth as glass, the fish were jumping, and the birds were chirping really loud. Then the doorbell rang. It was our new Social Worker, Melvin – a really sweet African American man, who was so happy and joyful. A social worker is someone who cheers you up if you might be sad. I think God picked him just for us. After he asked us lots of questions, I asked what he liked to do. He said he loves singing in his church’s choir, so I asked if he’d sing a song for us. He immediately began singing. He had a great voice, and he was singing this song that we’re listening to, right now. Just think about what Papa was thinking when he heard these words:

I see trees of green, red roses, too. I see them bloom for me and you.
And I think to myself, “what a wonderful world”.
I see skies of blue and clouds of white, the bright blessed day, the dark sacred night. And I think to myself, “what a wonderful world”.
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky. Are also on the faces of people going by, I see friends shaking hands, saying "How do you do?" They're really saying "I love you".
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow. They'll learn much more than I'll ever know. And I think to myself, “what a wonderful world”. Yes I think to myself, “what a wonderful world”.

Brennan said, “What did Papa do?” I said, “He smiled real big!” Brennan said, “That’s what I thought!” And I replied, "And he's still smiling real big, and he's probably singing "And I think to myself, what a wonderful HEAVEN!" We all laughed because we just KNEW that's what Papa is doing!

Reach Out and Touch Someone

We all know the power of a caring touch. The doctor who treated us, the teacher that dried our tears, the hand holding ours at a funeral, the hand of our sweetheart reaching out to hold ours, or a handshake of welcome at an event?

Shouldn't we be reaching out touching others also? Many of us do. We use our hands to pray for the sick, or to reach out with a congratulatory high-5 or even to write a letter or make a call or bake a pie for someone who needs us.

My nephew, Mark David Lawrence, a Skilled Nursing Facility Administrator, in the early 90's, opened an 8-bed AIDS unit in his facility. That was still at a time when healthcare workers and the general public were uneducated about the disease, and the rumors ran rampant as to how AIDS was spread. Mark and his medical team, spent hours teaching and training. They opened the unit, and were full within a few weeks. One day, during his daily rounds, he learned a valuable lesson.....the power of a simple touch of his hand as he shook the hand of a new patient, and held it for a moment. Tears welled up in the patient's eyes and he uttered the words, "You are touching me, and you are not wearing gloves". Out of all the classes and seminars he attended, the most valuable lesson Mark learned in caring for people, was simply the touch of his hand on someone who was hurting.

Let's make the difference in someone's world today....by reaching out and touching them. They'll know they are loved, and appreciated when we do! Diana Ross sang it so well: "Reach out and touch somebody's hand -- make this world a better place, if you can!"

We Will Change the World

What a Motley Crew the disciples were. There's Peter -- one minute he was walking on water by faith, and the next, he was sinking in doubts. He was impulsive, emotional, and, then His worst failure was denying Jesus. And, then there’s Matthew, a dishonest tax collector. And, you gotta’ love Thomas who, to this date, is known as “doubting Thomas". But, then....old things passed away. Peter became a bold evangelist/missionary and one of the greatest leaders of the early church. Matthew heard Jesus words, “Follow me”, and he left everything and obeyed. His eyewitness account, is the first Gospel of the New Testament. And, I love that Thomas, though he initially doubted the resurrection, became a man of great faith. He found the truth and also became a great evangelist and missionary. Yes, they changed the world.

And here we are 2,000+ years later -- do you see in this photo how Jesus is pointing His finger at you and me? Though this is a photo and script from "The Bible Series", the message is clear….God is calling US to change our world, also. Though we may have hang-ups, fears, doubts, and other character flaws, and even, like Peter, deny our Lord by our actions, the transforming power of Christ can change US from being a member of the Motley Crew to dynamic and devoted followers of Christ. Like Peter, Matthew, Thomas, and the millions of others throughout the ages.....let's heed the call, and do our part. Could it be that's why God put us here, at this time, to carry on the message, and be a WORLD CHANGER, too?

Good Friday? or, Black Friday?

Shouldn't "Good Friday" be called "Black Friday"? After all, on this day, the most scandalous betrayal of justice in human history took place. He wasn’t guilty of any crime or sin. After the illegal trials, this loving, compassionate, giving, caring, innocent Man was stripped and tied to a post. He was whipped and beatened -- too horrible to even imagine. He was betrayed by His friends,and spit on by countless people, some of whom, just a few days before, treated Him as royalty as He entered the city. He was forced to carry a wooden cross to Calvary where nails were driven through his wrists and ankles and He was left to die. And, bottom line, He could have called ten thousand angels to his side, but He refused. Instead, He died there for you and me.

What is this message? For us, to never again wonder if we are loved. God thought our eternal life was worth the death of His only Son. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, would never perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16) NOW, we know why it's called "GOOD FRIDAY".

Someone asked Jesus, "How much do You love me?" He answered, "This much," as He spread out his arms and died. This is a TRUE love story written with you and me in mind. Isn't that enough reason for us to slow down and literally put on the brakes, today, to REMEMBER and GIVE THANKS for this GOOD Friday when HE loved us -- TO INFINITY and BEYOND!