What is your graduation story? It is that time of year for tears of celebration or tears of disappointment. I look back and remember the day but then I blinked and here I am 36 years later. Remember when your parents told you that life passes in a flash? Not a lie like I walked to school both ways uphill and didn’t even have soles in my shoes. LOL. I shared one of the most outlandish stories of a student who couldn’t bring herself to tell her family she was not going to be able to walk across that stage. Listen to the story on my dreamsdontfade.com site.
Good Lord, maybe I am stressing for the students on the bubble. Hives, how does one just break out in hives? All around my torso. Confused the doctor as I never fit into the easy diagnosis. It just itches and the welts sting when I scratch. So, sitting there trying not to scratch the doctors says, “don’t scratch as it breaks blood vessels and bacteria under your fingernails can cause an infection.” Okay, Gross! Then of course the follow up statement is “I know that is easier said than done.” As I squirm in my seat. I do have to say that hives are not as bad as the itch from shingles, but still just as uncomfortable. Here is another suggestion: hey just don’t wear anything around your waist until it clears up. Okay, that is not helpful at all. So, antihistamine and small dose of steroids I go to hopefully end this itching torture zone.
Both scenarios got me thinking about all the advice we get over our lifetime. Some good and some bad. Some wise and some spoken by a fool. A few I wished I would have chosen to use which would have kept me from making decisions that ended in painful consequences. Sometimes you just need reassurance that the mistakes you make aren’t the end of the world. But some of the worst decisions deepen understanding and we do learn from them. Procrastination will not get these seniors graduated. That one F can be haunting as you miss your moment. That is the time when a wise person comes in and helps the young person move on. Rebound and take this other path so the goal looks different but is possible.
James in the Bible is a good example of mistakes made, but what a comeback. James, the half-brother, of Jesus who rejected the idea that Jesus was the Messiah; the “Christ” foretold in the Old Testament. Then when Jesus was crucified, James looked at his doubt and tossed it aside to become a very strong believer and follower of Christ. In his wisdom he advised:
“We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check” (James 3:2).
Yep, then he talks about the whole animal is controlled like a horse with a bit in its mouth. Or a ship in strong winds cannot be steered by a small rudder. His whole point was that none of us is perfect, and we all make mistakes. It is what we do with those mistakes that make the difference in our life and the lives of others. Advice is important when you know which wisdom you are listening to as there is two kinds:
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3: 13-18).
Prayers for this next generation of graduates. May life be kind to them. Lead them in making wise decisions as they are the hope of the future of this country. May they feel your spirit in the direction of good choices and listening to wise advice so their lives are enriched and that they know their true value.
Okay, now just Wow, oh, Wow, Powerhouse. Metal singer, Dan Vasc, performs “Amazing Grace.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89g9yMGFGlM