Graduation Musings

My goodness. When they say it takes a village, they aren't wrong.

I'm so, so grateful for all the love I have received today. Joshua and I spent the weekend in Atlanta getting ready for all the graduation festivities. He has been an INCREDIBLE support to me, all our marriage long but particularly these last three years. He has taken over so many of my usual "duties" in the family so I could have time to study and write papers. I remember when I first said, half jokingly, that I ought to go to seminary. Josh looked me straight in the eye and said, "I've been praying about this for the last few years. I wondered when you would figure it out for yourself." Babe, you're simply the best. I couldn't have gotten here without you. Thank you for loving me so well so I could follow where God is calling me.

Ashton has been such a blessing as well. I had tremendous guilt for this rather monumental upheaval in his life in 7th grade. Up until that point, he'd always had me at school with him, and we pretty much did everything together. That year, I was no longer at school with him, I wasn't able to check up on his homework, I was often locked away in my home office studying. I cried a lot that year, feeling torn between my desire to be a good mother and to be a good seminary student. I thought I was failing him as I was trying to follow God. Just last week, on Mother's Day, Ashton wrote this in a handmade card: "You're a hard worker. These past three years of your seminary adventures, I have seen nothing but pure dedication and determination from you. Seriously, it's absolutely insane. I mean, it's always been this way. When you want to achieve something, you do it. You have incredibly inspired me. I want to be just like you." Holy cannoli, kid. Thanks for reminding me that all of this was worth it.

And oh my gosh, my family and Josh's family - their support has been invaluable. Between pitching in to care for Ashton, encouraging me to follow this wild yet wonderful calling, and simply being present for me, particularly this day, I am so, so grateful. Thanks to Jane and Joe and all of Josh's family for being there today for my graduation. It means the world.

It was so much fun to celebrate this day with friends, too! Friends who are graduating, and friends who will graduate in the next few years. I am so thankful for all the relationships I've built in my time at Columbia. I'm grateful for the love and the laughter and even sometimes the tears. Thanks for putting up with me. It's been a blast, and sorry, but y'all aren't getting rid of me that easily now that I've graduated. I think you're stuck with me.

And y'all, my church family SHOWED UP today! They brought a BUS to my graduation! And so many others drove on their own as well. I think I had my own cheering section today! Some of my youth came, some of my fellow church staff came, and lots of members came too! (Some of them call themselves LOLs - Little Old Ladies) What an absolute honor to grow up in this church family. Many of the folks who came today were at the same church on the day I was baptized in 1981. I know my church family loves and supports me, and I realize what a blessing that is. They have encouraged me all these years, they have cheered me on, they have helped support my family, they support my ministry in our church... Wow. I don't deserve their goodness.

And if I ever forget it, may the memories of today remind me of God's love for me. I am grateful to God who knows my name, and calls me by name each day to do good for God's kindom here on earth. And may it be a reminder to all of you that God too knows you by name, and that God is calling you to step out in love and faith each day to follow that call. God is indeed good. All the time.