Congratulations to the Class of 2018

This devotional article was published initially in the August issue of Mature Living in 2009. My memory was jogged during Ralston Baptist Church’s 120^th anniversary celebration when I reconnected with Arizona Ridgway and her family. Arizona, a 2018 graduate, agreed for me to republish this as a tribute to the class of 2018. The students in the photo below were in my third-grade class. Arizona was a precocious second grader when I wrote this.

The Thread of a Hymn

            Our church has a Sunday afternoon service periodically at the nursing home in our area. We always sing hymns followed by a brief, inspirational message delivered by our pastor. Usually the highlight of the afternoon for the residents is the fellowship with our church members prior to and following the service itself. There is always joy expressed by the residents at seeing our pastor’s children, especially his daughter Arizona.

            Arizona is seven years old. Her father named her “Arizona” after his beloved grandmother. Arizona has such exuberance for life. She also exhibits a love and sensitivity to the Lord seemingly beyond her young age. 

Our pastor has mentioned how often he recalls hearing his grandmother, while doing mundane farm chores, worship by singing her favorite hymns, one of which was In the Garden. It was one of the hymns we were singing that afternoon. As I played the piano in our small, informal worship service, I heard distinctly Arizona’s sweet, lilting voice singing above all the adult voices, “And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.” I was struck by the power of the moment.

 The strong thread of the hymn connects a little girl with the great-grandmother for whom she was named but never met. Yet a greater strand of the thread is the message of the hymn that transcends the decades that separates the great-grandmother from her namesake. Little Arizona lives in a vastly different world with more mind-boggling technology than Great-grandmother Arizona could have fathomed, but the timeless truth of a Savior who is ever with us remains the same. How this typifies the latter portion of Deuteronomy 31:6, For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.

What powerful threads connect all believers to those who have gone before! May we ever seek to internalize and rely on these eternal realities of our faith that remains our only hope and stay in an ever-changing world.

              As I looked at the faces of the eager third graders in this photograph by Blunck's Photography, I thought of so many wonderful memories made with these students during 2008 and 2009.
            I recounted many family members, especially grandparents and great-grandparents, of these students that I know or knew. In light of the connection between Arizona and her great-grandmother, so many of these seniors have older family members who set examples worthy of emulating. I have observed grandmothers who exemplified unconditional love and support for several of these students. My mind flooded with names of grandparents and great-grandparents of these graduates as I recalled sacrifices they made for their families.
           Much-loved seniors of 2018, as you turn your tassels and toss your caps, reflect on your older family members who have passed on but desired greatly to see you reach goals that would benefit others and bring honor to your family name. Remember your daily actions and choices not only impact you but reflect on your family. Your success can bring a worthy distinction to your family name. I pray you recall this scripture verse as you go from Woodland High School into the world to reach your dreams and goals:

You should want a good name more than you want great riches.

To be highly respected is better than having silver or gold. 

Proverbs 22:1

Congratulations Woodland Class of 2018!

Another posting focused on Jake Marsh, a WHS 2018 graduate, can be accessed at:

https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2015/05/jakes-indomitable-spirit.html