Graduation

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." 1 Corinthians 1:10

This Saturday I went to my niece’s graduation in Missouri.  We drove four hours and spent Friday night in a hotel one and a half hours away because most hotels in the area were filled with all the families traveling to attend this and other graduations in the area. On Saturday we drove to the college at around 11:00 as the gates to the stadium opened up and the crowds of families filled the stadium, the field with lawn chairs, blankets with family members selected their location to view their graduate as they walked in. This group of graduate supporters sat in the stadium until the ceremony started at 2:00 PM. The cool day in the morning had turned to a hot sunny day.  It was a happy, friendly, celebratory crowd sharing sunscreen, beverages and happy memories. 

Then the procession began, cheering and cameras snapping as you could hear, is that her? Is she wearing a white collar or red?  There he is, there he is! 

The ceremony proceeded to the guest speaker at which began a very positive encouraging speech to the graduates, then, as she stated, she snuck a Trojan horse in and began speaking on her own political agenda.  She stated she felt she needed to speak out on her agenda whenever she could.  The crowd was not pleased.  Unfortunately some couldn’t hold back on their opinions, booing and derogatory comments could be heard. I felt upset, sad, and disappointed that she chose to think only of her agenda instead of those graduates who had spent years working up to this moment.  Also, disappointed in those that began rebelling back at her. 

I felt upset, thinking that if it hadn’t been a special day for my niece I might have walked out of the stadium. I was feeling stressed and uncomfortable, then I told myself I was here for my niece, her friends and family members to share in this joyous event.  I turned to prayer.  I prayed for the graduates, the family members, the faculty, and all those who were a part of this occasion, yes, including the speaker. 

The speech was over and then we watched as all 1200+ students’ names were read and handed their degree.  At the end we left the stadium a little sunburned, a little tired for sitting in the sun for 5 hours; but the pride we felt was still there.

We went out to dinner with family and new friends.  It was a wonderful ending to a celebration of achievement.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray for those that are graduating, families of graduates, faculty and staff of those educating our youth.  I pray that even in those moments of stress, unexpected detours, disagreement of opinions in the world that we still remember to listen to your words.  Remind us to ask for your guidance in our own actions.  Remind us to ask your guidance in making our agenda not one of ours but one for all. Amen.

Lori Hood