Graduation Day

Today I had the privilege to be present at the graduation of the 2007 kindergarten class. For the past four years their parents had readied them for that day last fall when they entered kindergarten. Now some nine months later they have graduated to the first grade. Now, for the next 12 years their parents ready them for the day they graduate high school and go out into the real world. For 13 years we prepare them. We buy books, pencils, pens, crayons (the digestible kind) and whatever else they need for classes. We help with homework. We meet with teachers. We do all we can to assure that our children have the best of educations. We want them prepared for the world that lies just ahead. But, is that the only graduation we prepare them for?

Paul wrote to Timothy, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (2 Timothy 3:14). And we hope that our youth will continue in the things they have learned. But, there is another education and another graduation that we are to prepare them for. At the end of their earthly run we have to make sure they are prepared for eternity. We have to give them a spiritual education.

Starting from the early days of their youth we are to start bringing them up in the ways of the Lord. Paul continued writing to Timothy, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). Our job of educating our children in the ways of the Lord starts in their youth. We are to teach them the ways of salvation. We have to ground them in the faith. Just as we ready them for school, we are to also ready them for the graduation day when they graduate from this world to the next.

The text book we are to use is the Holy Bible. Paul wrote, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). By Grounding our children in the Holy Scriptures we help them to be ready for the BIG graduation day. We prepare them for the day that they graduate into the presence of the Lord.

As I looked over the kindergarten class of 2007 (I didn’t have a family member or friend in the class, I just happened to be there), I couldn’t help but let a few tears fall as I looked at the future doctors, lawyers, nurses, janitors, housewives and whatever else they will become. I couldn’t help but say a prayer that each one would one day graduate into the Kingdom. May God richly bless and keep all the graduating classes of 2007.

Around the world of Blogdom tonight:

Trey Morgan has career day; What do preachers do?
John Dobbs is turning away from the mirror
Neva Cooper has gone to the storm shelter
Matt Dabbs looks at the Parent Child relationship with God
Lisa Leichner thinks kids are funny
Bobby Valentine has Heaven (11)
Chris Gallagher has some random thoughts

I will be off line most of the weekend. I hope y'all have a safe holiday weekend.

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keeop You: All Y'all!

Bobby

Bobby Cohoon
North Carolina, USA
cohoon@embarqmail.com