Yesterday afternoon my son Caleb graduated with a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University. Besides the fact that he looked dapper in his cap and gown, I was proud of him for other reasons. His program of study was difficult, and he persevered. He made a series of good choices and now will have a career that is just right for his gifts. Not least, he is a terrific role model for his younger siblings.
During the ceremony, we waited for probably a thousand graduates to walk across the stage before it was Caleb's turn, and in those few seconds, we whooped. We hollered. We whistled. Yes, we lost all sense of decorum because we were so proud. We couldn't contain it, so it just spilled out.
I've been to a handful of college graduations and a plethora of high school graduations before, so this was really nothing new. Let me tell you, though, that it took all the self-control I could muster to not stand up and yell, "That's my boy!" because yes, this was different. This one was my child.
If you know me well, you know that I wake up a lot in the night and think. Something about the quiet evidently spurs my brain to decide now! and my thoughts tend to tumble out through my pen or my keyboard.
In the early hours of this morning, I can't help thinking about what it is like in heaven when any one of us makes our Father proud. Now, we know from Psalms that we have angels sent to minister to us: "For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone" (Psalms 91:11).
I like to imagine those angels walking around with cameras to record every moment of goodness: those times when we've encouraged a child, the times we were busy but stopped to help a stranger anyway, the times we've volunteered at a homeless shelter. It makes me wonder: how many times have we made Jesus jump up from his place at the right hand of God, pump His fist, and shout, "Yes! Did you see that?" Do you suppose there are instant replays in heaven? Does our all-knowing and all-seeing Father gather everyone around to celebrate those victories?
The fact that our Father knows should influence us to act in ways that are pleasing to Him, and I love contemplating how He sees each of us as special and gifted. I don't know about you, but that gives me incredible hope as well as a determination to do my best.
Thank You, Jesus, for my son Caleb. Thank You that just as I am proud of him, You are proud of all of Your children when we do something pleasing to You. Please be with us and guide us, that we will act in ways that are holy and upright and loving. Amen.
I've been to a handful of college graduations and a plethora of high school graduations before, so this was really nothing new. Let me tell you, though, that it took all the self-control I could muster to not stand up and yell, "That's my boy!" because yes, this was different. This one was my child.
If you know me well, you know that I wake up a lot in the night and think. Something about the quiet evidently spurs my brain to decide now! and my thoughts tend to tumble out through my pen or my keyboard.
In the early hours of this morning, I can't help thinking about what it is like in heaven when any one of us makes our Father proud. Now, we know from Psalms that we have angels sent to minister to us: "For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone" (Psalms 91:11).
I like to imagine those angels walking around with cameras to record every moment of goodness: those times when we've encouraged a child, the times we were busy but stopped to help a stranger anyway, the times we've volunteered at a homeless shelter. It makes me wonder: how many times have we made Jesus jump up from his place at the right hand of God, pump His fist, and shout, "Yes! Did you see that?" Do you suppose there are instant replays in heaven? Does our all-knowing and all-seeing Father gather everyone around to celebrate those victories?
The fact that our Father knows should influence us to act in ways that are pleasing to Him, and I love contemplating how He sees each of us as special and gifted. I don't know about you, but that gives me incredible hope as well as a determination to do my best.
Thank You, Jesus, for my son Caleb. Thank You that just as I am proud of him, You are proud of all of Your children when we do something pleasing to You. Please be with us and guide us, that we will act in ways that are holy and upright and loving. Amen.
