One Day: A Graduation Post

One day a preschooler was playing with blocks at school

He loved to sit and talk with his friends at lunch while sitting on a stool.

He loved to run around the playground

He liked to laugh and yell, but now we no longer hear that happy sound.

This preschooler was to graduate and go to the school where big kids go

He will still go to big kid school but we will miss seeing part of him grow.

One day a high school senior was riding with her friends

She loved just being with them because they were people on whom she could depend.

She liked to read new books and enjoyed learning new things,

But now it feels like something may have just clipped her wings.

This high schooler was to graduate and go to college

She will still go to college but for the last part of high school she won’t be able to see her friends and learn as much knowledge.

One day a college senior was sitting in class

She enjoyed learning about her major; it made her feel like she was headed for first class.

She loved work at her job and to play sports

But now, for some reason, she may feel out of sorts.

This college senior was to graduate from college and go out to share her knowledge many places,

She will still earn her degree and graduate; but, for the last part of her senior year, she will miss seeing her college friends’ faces.

   Thus far 2020 has been an interesting year. We had about 2 months of what seemed like regular life, and then it all came crashing down. COVID-19 has taken our jobs, health, freedom, and probably much more. Now, it has taken away the chance for people I know to walk across a stage, or a platform, and show their friends and family that they completed something really big.

   No matter where you are in life, graduation symbolizes the closing of a chapter. Sure, you will probably still talk to your friends from the old chapter but things will probably never be the same. Graduation helps you open a new chapter. You will get to move on to new places and meet new people.

   I am a preschool teacher and a coach. I know many preschool students, high schoolers, and college students who will not get a traditional graduation. They may never have what some of us have had. But that also gives them a choice.

   The graduates can choose to be bitter about not getting something they were probably looking forward to, or they can choose to rise above it. I have seen many of these people I know rise above this challenge. Are they still upset? Sure, they may still be upset. But, they know that being upset will not change this situation. They are following the words of Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

   In this case, instead of the word “them” we can insert the word “it.” We should not be afraid of this virus. Yes, it has the ability to take away our health and even our lives but we have someone we can trust in. God is with us. God has a plan. If God is for us who (or what) can be against us? We may not like our current situation. BUT, we can rise above it. We can choose to lean on God because he is always with us.

   So, will you choose to rise above this situation? Will you trust in God and his plan?

Congratulations to the class of 2020, whether you are in preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, or college you have achieved a huge accomplishment. I pray that you will trust in God during this difficult time and remember that he is always with you.

   Image from here. 

Kindergarten Graduation

   Last year I was blessed to be a Kindergarten teacher.  I specifically remember Kindergarten Graduation. The students worked so hard to memorize songs, lines, and verses. They did a phenomenal job!

   I have experienced graduations when I was young as well as when I was old. I do not remember my personal preschool graduation, but I do remember many preschool graduations I helped out with. They are a little different from High School and College graduations. In High School and College students who graduate are looking forward to either College or the real world. Those graduations are a milestone and very serious.

   What is the difference between preschool/kindergarten graduation and High School/College graduation? For one thing, Preschool and Kindergarten students are younger. As stated before, High School and College graduates are going into the real world. But, at Kindergarten graduation I was reminded of another difference.

   In Matthew 18 the disciples went to Jesus and asked him “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus called a child to him and said that unless we become like little children we will not enter the kingdom of heaven. It is difficult for the disciples to understand this lesson. In fact, it is difficult for anyone who has not had interaction with children to understand this.

   At Kindergarten Graduation I was reminded of this lesson. I watched my students put on their caps and gowns, look at their gifts, and talk with excitement about the ceremony. Their eyes lit up with every kind word, hug, and gift they received. Then the ceremony began. The kids sang their hearts out. They had such enthusiasm when they sang; and, if they messed up, they did not care. They just kept singing.

   Children have an innate curiosity about the world around them and faith in those around them. As we grow, we tend to lose our curiosity and faith. We also tend to lose our thankfulness for the things God has given us.

   So, whether you are younger or older, graduating or not I encourage you to remember to have faith like a child. Will you choose to be thankful for what you have been given? Will you be enthusiastic and curious about the world around you?

   Matthew 18:1-5, Jeremiah 29:11, Mark 10:13-16

   Image from here.

Do You Care?

   When I was in my first semester of college I stayed on campus. While there I hung out with new friends, completed school work, and grew in God.
   One day my friends and I were walking up to our dorm. I was talking with them about different things. One of the girls was on the soccer team, and I was not. I mentioned something about playing soccer in high school and the girl said she didn't know I played soccer. I said "I've said I have played soccer before." She said "I don't know your life." This was a common saying of the girls in the dorm because it was in a movie. I finally said to her, "do you care?"
   Many times we walk through life thinking about what we need to do next. We also think about our needs, or the needs of our family members. I'm not saying that's not important, what I am saying is that I feel we have gotten away from what God called us to do.
   Your life is not about you, it is about what God can do through you. The order of precedence in your life should spell JOY: Jesus, Others, and You. Your relationship with God should come first then your relationship with others. It is only through this order in life that we will make an impact on others and reflect God's glory.
   I'm not saying that we need to drop everything and go to another country to help others. You can make choices every day to show others that you care about them. Rather than saying, "I don't know your life." You can take the time to get to know others. You can simply ask someone how her day is going, and actually listen intently to the answer. You could give someone a gift like chocolate or their favorite food. It does not have to be big and extravagant, just do something to make a difference and reflect God's glory. Then others will look at you and see something different. This will make them wonder what is different and you could have a chance to share your faith.
   So, have you been choosing to say: "I don't know your life" instead of getting to know people? Is your list of priorities in the order of JOY? How can you make a difference and reflect God's glory today?

   Philippians 2:4 and Matthew 6:33 

Graduation: The Importance of THAT Piece of Paper

   Today is the day that all students look forward to. Today is the day of graduation. It’s a time of laughter, excitement, sadness, and nervousness. But, once the graduate gets that diploma it is a time of happiness for everyone because that is what he/she worked for.

   Whether you graduate from high school or college you earn a diploma or degree. This piece of paper gives you power. But, as Spider-man says: “with great power comes great responsibility.” Many students who graduate may think that that piece of paper gives you the power to have a better life. I mean you were in school for 12+ years of your life. All of that was to prepare you for adulthood and the real world. Now that you have passed all your tests you get to have a great life, right?

   I’ll tell you right now; when you graduate it is far from peaches and cream. Sure, it is nice that you finally get to be in the world and earn money. This piece of paper is not a ticket to the good life. Rather, it is your ticket to change the world.

   We need to care about others and make a difference in the world. Our main purpose in life is to reflect God’s glory. In order to do this we cannot just think of ourselves. We need to work hard to help others. Helping may look different to everyone. For a construction worker it may be working hard to make homes for others to the best of his/her ability. For a physical therapist it may be working hard to make someone feel better.

   You get the point: whatever we decide to do we need to do it with 100% effort. That is the way that we will reflect God’s glory. That is the way that you can change the world.

   So, will you choose to change the world? Will you work your hardest and to the best of your ability? Will you reflect God’s glory?

   1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:17, 2 Timothy 2:15