Graduation and the TRIALS ahead!

 

Graduation happened this weekend for two of my GRANDDAUGHTERS and a few other "ADOPTED" GRANDDAUGHTERS. When we get to this point of the year, I am always a bit reflective and remember some of the great things of the past. 

I am a YANKEE fan. This weekend was a little rough for us. The Yanks played in LA against the powerhouse DODGERS and the first two games weren't pretty. But, last night they finally played well and WON! Stephanie and I have been Yankee fans forever. We even lived outside of NEW YORK CITY for a period in our life and had season tickets to the YANKEE games. We took our young daughters to YANKEE STADIUM on many occasions. That is why our girls became Yankee fans. For the MOST part our family agrees on IU SPORTS and YANKEE baseball. We cheer the Bronx Bombers TOGETHER because they grew up with it. We SUPPORT them even through the rough games like Friday and Saturday. I guess you would say I indoctrinated them. 

I have tried to also INDOCTRINATE my girls into the faith, also. I have not always done my best in that area of life, especially in my younger years. I placed work and "getting ahead" as a priority over my family and over teaching them about Jesus. As I got older, I realized how important that was and the opportunities I missed. I pray each day that every one of my DAUGHTERS and GRANDKIDS find hope in JESUS. I pray they depend upon him and their relationship with HIM will help them navigate the TRIALS of LIFE. 

As they graduate, grow their own families, face their own trials, my ability to protect them greatly diminishes. When I see my daughters and NOW my GRANDKIDS go through trials and pain, hurt and loss, I ache. I mostly ache for them out of the realization that I CAN NO LONGER FIX their problems for them. It is then that I realize HOW BADLY THEY NEED JESUS. 

I started reading 1 Peter today and he was encouraging the people of Asia minor to rely upon their faith.

"And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold -- though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." (1 Peter 1:5-7, NLT)

My FAMILY will face many trials in this life. Stephanie and I have faced many trials in life. When they leave the NEST and have to face life trials, I PRAY their FAITH will get them through. I pray I did enough to "indoctrinate" them, teach them, and model the faith for them. I feel helpless, but I can PRAY and I DO BELIEVE God will answer those prayers.

Heavenly Father, I come to you today lifting up the graduates of 2025, my granddaughters that just graduated, and the friends that are graduating. Please protect them, LORD, from the enemy. Help them to rely upon you through the trials and the pain. Help them to realize YOU are THERE for them, even if their faith is weak. Watch over them as they navigate this sinful and evil world. Thank You LORD for all you have done and all you will do in their lives. AMEN!