Big Steps
I wrote this article for the church bulletin for our “Bridge Event” in which we recognize our graduating seniors and send them off into the college ministry. Since I spent a whole 20 minutes writing it, I thought I’d share it with people who will actually read it (as opposed to those who read the bulletin).
Today, I witnessed something incredible.
He walked.
Twelve months ago, he couldn’t even lift his head, and the today he walked over and grabbed my leg.
I really shouldn’t be surprised. After all, that’s what his legs were made to do. And most babies do that at around his age. They smile, then they roll over, then they crawl, then they walk- with a bunch of other stuff Mom wishes she’d caught on camera along the way. It’s all part of a process the will continue with potty training, his first Star Wars action figure, the first day of school, baptism, first love, (Kate- I’m sorry you have to read all this) first heartbreak, graduation, college, marriage… and one day watching his own little one take his first steps.
But today, he walked!
As we prepare for “Bridge Sunday”, many mothers and fathers are remembering how their own children took those precious little steps. They are saying “We survived!” and “Where did the time go?” and “Did I prepare them enough?” all at the same time. They watch as precious little feet take big steps into colleges, careers, and independence. They look on as their children, who once tripped and stumbled as they learned how to navigate the living room, will now have to trip and stumble as they learn how to navigate the world. But, they will hold their breath and close their eyes, because they know that their children were not meant to crawl forever, that their legs were meant for walking, even if the some steps might be wobbly and uncertain.
We celebrate this time of transition with these teens to honor the past and rejoice in the hope of tomorrow. Graduation is not the beginning of the journey. They have already navigated the perilous halls of high school. But it is not the end, either. It is simply a benchmark in life, reminding us of the path they tread, their accomplishments, and the potential that lies before them.
Before they leave today, make sure you congratulate each of these teens on a job well done and offer them a special blessing for their futures. Rejoice with them, while as the family of God, we can watch these young adults take their first steps.
IN HIM,
Blaine
