ddykema5@gmail.com

Nov

2020

Emotions

Have you ever wondered, “Now where did that feeling come from?” Why am I angry, depressed, anxious, frustrated, on the verge of tears, etc.? These and many other feelings are an indicator to us. We would be wise to take notice of them and consider what is causing these emotions. The best place to help us understand this is God’s Word. What does God’s Word say?

“As a man thinks in his heart so is he.”

(Proverbs 23:7)

When we have various emotions, it is important to ask ourselves a few questions.

“What are you thinking?”

“What are you wanting?”

Our emotions do not come from a vacuum. They do not come from nowhere. They come from our thinking. We may be experiencing emotions and not even realize what is causing these emotions. They came from our thinking.

What happens according to Proverbs 23:7 is we begin to think a certain way and we develop habits of reacting. We look at situations and think:

This isn’t fair.

Why did this happen to me?

I deserve better than this.

I can’t handle this.

Where is God in all of this?

This did not happen how I wanted it to happen.

As we think these things, we begin to respond with emotions such as anger, depression, anxiety, fear, frustration, annoyance, etc.

Every circumstance in life that happens to us never takes God by surprise. When we fail to trust Him, we begin to think the above thoughts, and then the emotions follow.

Here is the struggle we have, we have these feelings and too often we begin to act on them. We all have heard the phrases, “if it feels good, do it.” Or “do whatever makes you happy.”

What happens when what makes us feel good ends up feeling bad. What happens when what made you happy yesterday, makes you unhappy today. Do you see the challenge with following our emotions? They are always changing. Our emotions oftentimes are not speaking truth to us.

So what do we do? God has given us emotions for a reason. What is the purpose of them? Part of the purpose is to give us a key to our thoughts.

So what are your emotions telling you about your thoughts?

Do our thoughts line up with Scripture? I would say about myself that so often my thoughts do not line up with Scripture. It is something I need to work on daily, even minute by minute.

Many times we follow our emotions thinking that the actions that are produced by our emotions will produce the results that we are desiring. We want something, our emotions follow suit and then we act in whatever way necessary to get what we want. This then develops a pattern.

Here’s an example. We are driving down a 2 lane road and we come upon a sweet elderly couple taking a Sunday afternoon drive on Monday morning. You are already running late to that appointment that you need to get to. There are so many cars coming the other way, you can’t pass the sweet elderly couple. What emotions begin to be felt? Anger, fear, frustration, anxiety, etc. How are you thinking? Won’t this couple drive faster? I need to get to my appointment or I am going to lose this opportunity. If I lose this opportunity, I won’t be able to pay my bills. So then what actions begin to follow? You might start honking. You start looking at your phone while you drive trying to find a different way- which could cause an accident.

This is an easy scenario to pick on this poor person, but it happens in our everyday lives. We want something and when we don’t get what we think we should get, we begin to experience emotions and so often these emotions produce sinful behavior.

So what is the solution?

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

This renewal of our minds needs to be a daily and sometimes even a minute by minute thing. As we are tested, we will then see what is really in our hearts. We will see what we are really thinking.

So when a situation comes into your life and you react, ask yourself “what am I thinking, what am I wanting?” This will help you to understand why you are experiencing the emotions you are having.

Nov

2020

God’s Poetic Masterpiece

Last week we looked at our identity through the lens of Scripture, realizing that our roles are not who we are but rather we gain our identity from who Christ says that we are. Let’s continue this thought a little further and explore another identity that Christ gives to us and then what the purpose is.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works

Which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

From this verse we can add one more thing to our identity: His workmanship. . This word workmanship comes from the Greek word poiema. The word poiema can also be translated poetic masterpiece. We are God’s poetic masterpiece. Let that thought sink in to your head and heart for a minute. You are God’s poetic masterpiece. There is no other person on this earth quite like you. You are an original. There is no duplicate, even children that are born identical have some distinguishing characteristics. Each and every one of us is unique.

Not only are you unique, you are God’s Masterpiece. When we think of a masterpiece, we think of something that is the very best. A Masterpiece must also be made or created by someone who is a Master. A Master is the best in the business. They have taken years to hone their skills. We are not created by any ol’ master. We were created by the God of the Universe. You are so amazingly designed and made. God “knit you together in your mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139: 13). Doesn’t it amaze you to think that God formed you from the joining of 2 microscopic pieces of DNA from your parents? The Master Designer of the Universe intricately put you together.

You are so special to Him, He does not want you to think of yourself in terms of the roles that you have. He wants you to think of yourself in terms of who He tells you, you are. He wants to give you your identity. When you look at a painting by Monet or the artwork of Michelangelo, you marvel at the piece of art. As you admire the art, you begin to turn your attention from the artwork to the artist. You marvel at the talents and abilities of the artist. You marvel at their creative skills. You wonder where they received the inspiration to make such a masterpiece.

The artists receive their inspiration from God and His creation. God is the author of creativity. He is the author of beauty. He is the author of genius.

God created you as His poetic masterpiece! You are the fulfillment of His design and creative genius.

When we go to the art museum and look at a piece of art, we consider the talent of the artist. When people look at you, do they marvel at the Master Craftsman who created you?

We are God’s Poetic Masterpiece for a purpose. That purpose it says in Ephesians 2:10 is to perform the good works which He also created for us to do. We all at one point or other wonder what we are supposed to do with our lives. This usually happens when our roles change. However, there is never any shortage of good works for us to do. We just have to get off our couch, open our eyes and our hearts, and get busy.

As we get busy doing the good works which God has prepared for us, our goal is not to get the praise and the glory, but rather to be on display as a piece of art – a poetic masterpiece – pointing to our creative and awesome Masterful Designer.

You are God’s poetic masterpiece. You were created for good works. These good works that God prepared for you to do are waiting for us to do so we can through them bring honor to our Creator.

Every day, remember who you are. You are chosen, an adopted son/daughter, forgiven, redeemed, and God’s poetic masterpiece. Go and fulfill the good works prepared for you and while you are doing those good works, remember who you are.

Oct

2020

Who Are You?

Have you ever heard someone say or even said yourself, “I don’t know who I am?” I know there was a time in my life when I said that. I assume there are many people that during this time of change due to the pandemic there are many people that have lost sight of who they are. Their jobs have changed, or they don’t have a job. They used to be out with people all the time and now they are home looking at the same four walls and computer screen. Zoom meetings and conference calls just are not the same. Granted many people are seeing their lives return to a new normal that involves more social contact, but it is still not what it was.

Too often we begin to look ourselves through the roles that we hold rather than the identity that we have been given. When we no longer function in the same capacity at our jobs and that role has changed, have you lost your identity? When the kids grow up and do not need you like they used to, have you lost who you perceived that you were? Did you gain your identity from your role?

Our roles change throughout life. Children grow up and become parents. Students grow up and become teachers. Employees become the employer. As we advance each day of our life, our roles are changing. However, these roles are not our identity.

Too often, these roles do become our identity, and when these roles are taken away from us or they change we begin to experience emotional upset. We experience a mid-life crises, depression, anxiety, fear, anger, etc. The parent whose children have grown up and are now on their own look at life as if it has no purpose. The employee that has worked for the same company for 30 years all of a sudden is let go due to budget cuts no longer knows who he is or what his purpose is.

These are all difficult situations that so many have found themselves in due to this pandemic. Lost jobs, change in jobs, change in work location, change in parenting, etc. I do not at all want to discredit the challenges of each of these changes, but we must not look at these changes as a change in our identity. Our identity should never change.

Let me say that again. Our identity should never change no matter how much our roles change. So where do we get our identity? As a believer in Christ, I get my identity from what God’s Word says about me. These things that God says about me applies because I have put my faith and trust in Christ as my Savior. If someone does not believe in Christ as their Savior, these things that Paul has written about us in Ephesians would not apply.

Ephesians 1:4 “even as He chose us in Him…” You are chosen by God the Father. When you feel forsaken by man, never forget that God has chosen you.

Ephesians 1: 5 ”He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ” You are a son/daughter of God. If you feel forsaken by your family, remember that God has chosen you to be His child.

Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” You are redeemed and forgiven. We deserve hell and God has redeemed us and forgiven us. He sent Jesus to pay the price for our sins. A price that we could not pay.

So you are not the roles that you have. You are the identity that Christ has given to you. You are chosen, a child of the King, redeemed, and forgiven! Those things will never change. Hold onto and remember the identity that will never change rather than the role that can change on a dime.

Oct

2020

Even the Rocks Cry Out

Last month Dave and I did a bucket list vacation. We had never camped together before so we went “glamping.” (As our daughters fondly referred to it). We also went to the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan, which we had never been to. I have lived in Michigan for 20 years and have never been to the UP so it was quite a bucket list vacation. We went to Tahquamenon Falls, Sable Falls, Pictured Rocks, the Soo Locks in Sault Saint Marie, and we stayed at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. It was a wonderful vacation and God’s Creation was magnificently on display.

Have you ever seen the stars when there is no light pollution? The sky is alive with the light from the stars. I stood and looked up in awe and amazement of the beauty and wonder of our God. I had never seen so many stars.

The thing that amazed me the most was Pictured Rocks. Pictured Rocks is in Munising and is a wonderful display of beautiful colors on Sandstone rock. The colors come from different minerals. Red and orange (iron), blue and green (copper), brown and black (Manganese), and white (limonite) are the common colors that are seen.

As I listened to the recording tell us how these colors and these rock formations were formed, all I could think about was Luke 19:40 “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” The rocks are crying out the glory of God. The rock is porous sandstone allowing for water with minerals to trickle through causing the staining. This could have only happened during the flood. This great amount of rock laid down in this way allowing for the water to flow through and displaying these beautiful colors from the minerals carried by the water could have only happened through the mighty power of an omnipotent God.

Yet, as we went on this boat tour the beauty is attributed to happening over millions and millions of years of formation. The world has been so blinded to the truth of God all around them in Creation. This year more than ever, I have viewed the beauty of the colors of fall and exclaimed out loud how beautiful God’s creation is. Do you ever praise God’s name out loud, even when you are by yourself, over the beauty of His Creation?

I then think if I am so overcome with emotion over the beauty that God has given for us to enjoy in His creation, how magnificent heaven will be. I rode my bike 20 miles this week and I started just before sunrise. The trail was awash with beautiful colors and the sun was rising giving off the beautiful colors of orange and yellow and it lit the sky. I was in awe of the beauty around me.

If that scene is so breathtaking to me, I cannot imagine heaven being better. But it will be because we will be with Jesus. Looking into the face of Jesus and being in His presence at all times will be even more magnificent.

As you go about your days, enjoy the beautiful sites that God has made for you to see. Take time to praise His name. So often I say, “Lord, do You see the beauty of these fall colors, this sunrise, these stars?” I know He sees it, but I want Him to know that I see it too and I am praising Him for it.

He made the world for us to enjoy and then praise Him for it. Do you?

If you don’t “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” (Luke 19:40).

Oct

2020

Commit your work to the Lord

“Commit your work to the LORD,

and your plans will be established.”

(Proverbs 16:3)

I read this verse last month and it struck me in a different way. I have been reading a Proverb every day for years. I love how God brings different things to light at different times in our lives when we need them. It reminds us of His Sovereignty and of His care for us.

When we think of the word commit we think of fully dedicating ourselves to something. God wants us to fully dedicate our work to Him. As I read this verse, I was struck by the word “work” in this verse. I have 3 different things – work – that I do. I have been asking God for wisdom and direction in each of these, but never really thought about committing them to the Lord. As I started praying this prayer to the Lord, I began to see some changes.

God has given me the work that I do. He has seen me responsible enough and able enough to do that work. Do I turn around and commit it to Him? He has given it to me, do I give it back to Him knowing His plans are sovereign?

It is the laying the work that I do at His feet knowing that He knows what is for my best and for His glory. I began to pray “Lord, I commit to you my nursing job. I commit to you my real estate job. I commit to you my counseling job.”

As we commit our work to the Lord, then our plans will be established. It is the dependency on the Lord and the realization that He knows what is for our best. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom.8:28).

I have been praying this prayer for my daughter who needed to find a job in her field, and God provided her one. It may not be exactly what she is looking for, but it is a job that will challenge her and she will be using her degree. Praise God for His goodness.

In the idea of committing, we are relying on God. When we do this, we realize our dependency on Him and also realize His sovereignty. We may never understand “the plans that are established” by us for the Lord, but we certainly can use what He has given us to increase our faith in Him.

So when you drive to work tomorrow and the next day, or you get out of bed and sit down at your desk because you work remotely “commit your work to the Lord.” He gave you that job for a very specific reason. Are you seeking to fulfill that reason? Yes, it is to help provide for our needs, but what about the people you work with. Do they know you are a believer because you are honorable in your job? Do they see the love of Christ in your words and actions?

As you begin to change your prayer, watch how God answers and then be sure to follow His lead.

Aug

2020

Joy and Sadness

“Even in laughter the heart may ache…”

Proverbs 14:13

This is the time when so many of us as parents have mixed emotions. I love that Scripture speaks to this. We are not crazy. It is normal. Many of us are sending our kids off to college (if they can attend in person) and we are happy for them, but sad for us. I am so excited for the next stages of life that all of our children are entering, but I am sad for the stage they are leaving behind. The blessing for me due to Covid-19 was that two of our daughters were home from college for five months rather than three months.

Every year since they started attending Cedarville University, I have taken a picture of them next to the door of their room. Now, we have two that have graduated and live in apartments. In a matter of two weeks all three of our daughters moved into new places. They are living in new places and entering new chapters of their lives. Isn’t it exciting to see what the next step is for them? Isn’t it exciting to see how our children embrace the new challenges that they face? Don’t you love the phone calls and the stories? I cherish all of these things.

When I look at what the converse of this would be, I am thankful for the growing pains. The converse is that they live in our basement and don’t become and do what God created them for. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10). God did not create our kids to be holed up in our basement. He created them and made them for the good works He prepared beforehand for them to do. I certainly don’t want to be in God’s way for the good work that He is going to do through them.

So as hard as it is to watch our children fly and be independent, let’s rejoice in the positives. Let’s focus on being an encouragement to them. Send them letters. Send them packages. Be available when they call and be a listening ear. Sometimes, they don’t want advice. They just want someone to listen. So listen well. Follow up with a text. Remind them how much you love them. Remind them who they are in Christ. Remind them that their identity is found in Christ and not in who their friends say they are or who they feel they are. In all of these wonderful reminders, we will remind ourselves that even though they don’t need us to cook supper for them they still need us. They just need us in different ways and part of our new job is to figure out what these new ways are.

Remember, your job as Mom and Dad is just as essential, it’s just different. Go figure out your new place. Your kids will be glad you did, and you will enter new doors of life as well. You may not move, but the Lord also has new and great plans for you. As believers, we all are “His workmanship.”

Jul

2020

And above all

I haven’t written a blog post in a while. So much is happening in our country and everyone has such a wide variety of opinions about all that is happening. Of course, I have my opinion too. I hope we all do. Most importantly, I hope that we are able to engage each other in a peaceful conversation whether we agree or not and try to understand the perspective of the other. As I watch the rioting and the looting and rhetoric that continues to plague our country, I keep thinking about two words – RESPECT and PEACE.

As a little girl, I grew up in a predominantly white community. We were very poor and were even on food stamps for a while so we could have food to eat. I just learned this week that my grandparents even paid our rent for six months. I remember how hard my dad worked and how much we struggled, but that did not negate any of the values that we were taught. Just because we were so poor, it did not mean I was ever allowed to be disrespectful to anyone. Just because we were poor did not mean that we were not taught the value of work. Just because we were poor did not mean that someone owed us anything.

No one owed us anything. We had to work for it.

I was never taught that someone’s skin color meant anything other than they were different than me. The song I learned as a child keeps going through my head “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red, and yellow, black, and white; they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.”

I not only learned this as a child but I internalized it. Jesus loves all people and therefore so should I.

As parents, we have a responsibility to teach our children. God loves all people and so should we.

The part of all these demonstrations that is disturbing is the vandalism that is taking place. Our country has given us the freedom to protest. Our country is a country of the people, by the people, and for the people. We have the freedom to let our voices be heard. This is a wonderful freedom that we enjoy.

What has gone terribly wrong with these protests is the disrespect that has come from them. Disrespect does not breed respect. Two wrongs do not make a right. If someone wants to be respected, they must also show respect.

If we want to experience peace, we must pursue peace.

When I see protesters yelling at police men/women, I want to ask what they think they are accomplishing. When vandals run through stores looting and setting things on fire, does that make the shop owners want to stay in those areas?

The other thought that keeps running through my mind is a question that Jesus asked, “Whoever is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone…” (John 8:7).

None of us are perfect. We have all committed wrongs. There needs to be justice, and this needs to be balanced with grace. I don’t know where the balance is. Sometimes there needs to be more grace given and sometimes there needs to be more justice applied. The problem we are seeing today with the looting and the rioting is that the mobs are not seeking peace, rather they are taking justice into their own hands. When the people take justice into their own hands, there is no restrictions and no boundaries. It is chaos. When a police officer steps out of bounds and does the wrong thing, there is justice.

My heart grieves for all who have lost their lives during this time of turmoil. So many senseless deaths. I am saddened that George Floyd died and the means by which he died. Since his death more than five people have died, countless have been injured, and millions of dollars’ worth of property has been damaged. Is this the answer to the problem? Do more wrongs make it right?

I grew up learning that hard work and respecting others was something to be valued. Are these no longer important values? I believe that we need to get back to what is important.

Respect.

Peace.

Life.

All life.

Love others and treat others as we want to be treated.

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:14, 15).

May

2020

And the Peace of God…

I planted my garden this week. It is exciting to think about all the plants and seeds I planted and all the harvest we will be able to enjoy in the weeks and months to come. It is with eager anticipation, I walk out to my garden each day and look for the seedlings to emerge from the soil. Those few weeks of waiting for the seeds to appear is always a test in my patience. Will the seedlings actually appear? Once they do appear will the bugs or the deer eat them all?

There is one guarantee in this whole process. If I plant bean seeds, bean seedlings will appear. If I plant corn seeds, corn seedlings will appear.

We like to have guarantees. We like to know the outcome of things. We like control.

That is not the age that we are currently living in though, is it? Times are uncertain. The future is uncertain. We do not know exactly how this current crises will affect our health, our jobs, our economy, or our lives.

I have been looking at Philippians 4 over the last few weeks, and have been challenged in my walk with the Lord as I have meditated on these truths. I have found real encouragement in the truths of Scripture and I feel the need to share this knowledge with those of you who want to read what I learn. Thank-you for reading and learning with me.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6, 7)

We looked last week at Philippians 4:6 and being anxious for NOTHING. The rest of the verse says we should take everything to the Lord and be thankful for it.

It is hard to be thankful for the hard situations in life: Covid-19, stay home orders, loss of job or wages, not being able to see family and friends, sickness, and even death. But yet, have you ever thought that God has given us a prescription for life?

The prescription and the result of following the prescription are given to us.

The prescription:

Be anxious for Nothing
But in everything by prayer and supplication-take everything to the Lord
With thanksgiving
Let your requests be made known to God

The result:

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding
Will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus

How many of us thrive on strife? How many of us like the feeling of being anxious? God has given us the prescriptions of what we need to do so we can experience peace.

The troubles of tomorrow may not come, so why do we allow ourselves to be anxious about them? If we do have a concern, we need to pray about it and be thankful for what God will do in the situation.

The best part of all of this is that the results are predictable. If we do what God says we will get predictable results. Just like in my garden when I plant corn seeds, I will get corn to come up. Don’t we like to know what we are going to get when we invest in something?

If we follow what God tells us to do in Philippians 4:6, we will reap the benefits that God told us about in Philippians 4:7.

Do we not want peace?

This peace is so amazing it is beyond what we can understand. We will sit back in our seats and be amazed at the peace we are experiencing because we followed God’s prescription.

The verse does not just say that we will get peace, but it also says that our hearts and minds will be guarded. What is it guarded against? If we follow the prescription, we will be guarded or protected from those feelings or thoughts of anxiety.

This result all happens in Christ Jesus.

So will you follow this prescription? No one said it’s going to be easy. Working in my garden isn’t easy, but I do so love the results. I know that there have been hard things in your life that you have done and when you finished, did you like the results?

So in the midst of all the mixed messages we are receiving daily in the news, be thankful. Pray for our leaders that they will be wise. Use these opportunities to teach your children. Show them how to live in a time of uncertainty. Then show them what the peace of God looks like.

May

2020

Nothing

During this time of quarantine, there is conjecture by all of us. What if this happens or what if that happens? What if I get sick? What if I lose my job and cannot pay my mortgage? What if all the stores run out of toilet paper? What if we will never be able to go to a sporting event again? What if life never returns to the normal we knew before Covid-19 hit?

Have you thought all of these thoughts and considered all these things? I think many of us have thought these things, been worried about these things, and maybe even lost sleep over these questions.

I remember before 9/11 what things used to be like. Do you? I remember flying with my 2 oldest daughters by myself to visit my parents. One of them was young enough to sit on my lap and the other sat in a car seat on the plane. On the return trip, my dad came on the plane and helped install the car seat for me. Today, he would not have even been able to help me to the gate. We have adapted to these changes and now consider them common place. Those of us old enough remember life before, but we have adapted and become accustomed to the new post 9/11 normal.

So that same thing will happen to us with this crises. As things are beginning to slowly open up and life is slowly returning to “normal” we will see changes. As this is happening, will it do us any good to be anxious for the “what ifs?”

One of the verses that most of us have memorized or are familiar with is Philippians 4:6.

“Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

I like to sing. I know lines of songs, but not always the whole song. There may be a word that I hear that reminds of a song and so it prompts me to break out into song, even if I only know one line to the song. I also like to make up songs. For some reason I made up a little ditty, “Nothing plus nothing equals nothing.” And I just repeat those same words. So what does the word nothing mean? Well if you are trying to pour some water into nothing it would spill all over the floor. If you tried to drive nothing you would look ridiculous. If you tried to wear nothing, you would look like the Emperor who wore no clothes.

Nothing is nothing. What does God tell us? To be anxious for nothing. When we start living in “what if” land, is it reality? Is it an actual event or is it nothing? “What if” is not actually anything, it is nothing. So why do we worry about the “what ifs” when they are not a present reality, but rather not a thing (NOTHING).

So as situations begin to happen in our lives, what is it we are supposed to do?

First, do not be anxious about what has not yet happened because it is nothing. Who says it is going to happen? Why are you worrying about something that has not even happened yet? It might not even happen.

Second, when something does happen we must pray and thank God for what has happened and presents our request to God.

Would we ask our friends, spouse, parents, etc. “I need something, but I don’t know what it is?” We go to someone with a specific request. So we must treat God with that same type of request.

Here is my challenge for you. Take life one day at a time. We must plan, but do not be anxious about all the “what ifs” all the “nothings.”

Remember lamentations 3:22, 23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, hi mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

God’s mercy is what we need each day. I wrote a post about this a few weeks ago. http://www.dannadykema.com/new-morning-mercies/

Be anxious for nothing. Remember God’s mercy is new for us each and every day to help us handle the actual problem that comes our way rather than the fabricated one we tend to make up in our minds.

May

2020

It’s Not Supposed to be This Way

In the last few weeks in our house, we have celebrated a college graduation and Mother’s Day. We have seen the governor of Michigan extend our “stay home” order until the end of May.

I have realized one thing: we all take the circumstances we are dealt and either make the most of them or long for what we want things to be.

I have been honored to watch my daughter who was supposed to graduate last Saturday handle the cards that have been dealt to her with grace and joy. There were tears and there was disappointment, but she decided to make the most of the situation. I don’t think any senior given the choice of virtual graduation or drive-thru graduation vs. the full regalia standard graduation would choose the graduation that they have been dealt this year. What I have seen along with all of you are brand new memories being made that no one else has ever made. What a unique graduating class these 2020 graduates are.

Denise, I am proud of you for standing tall and meeting the challenges of this year with grace and joy. You have had many difficult experiences in your life and you have chosen to not allow this disappointment to be “the last straw” rather you have chosen to let this disappointment be another experience of growth. Watching you go through yet another challenge in life reminds me of the following verse.

“No only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5).

I have seen you endure and fight hard to get back in shape after brain surgery and two ACL repair surgeries. I have watched you suffer through multiple disappointments in life and seen you become more empathetic with those who suffer. You have compassion on those who are hurting. You are strong as you meet life challenges.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day, I couldn’t be more proud, Denise, to be your mom, and as I have watched my other two girls go through various trials and joys in life, I realize that God has given me a front row seat.

As a parent, God gives us these sweet ones to raise and nurture and influence for His honor and glory. What an amazing privilege. As parents, God has entrusted us with a treasure. Each one of these children that God has given to us is a special individual that God has made in His image. Each child is like a priceless diamond that God has given to us to protect and raise for Him.

As we raise our children and live each day, how will we respond to the trials of our days? How will we respond to the continued stay home order? How will we respond when we go through trials? How will we respond as our children go through trials?

Every day, our children are watching. We may not think about them watching and they do not realize they are watching, but they are.

If we want our children to face the challenges of life with courage, we must too. If we want our children to face the challenges of life with God, we must too.

So Mamas and Daddys, remember the treasure that God has given to you each and every day. Live out your faith before your children. Show them a love that is overflowing. Show them a compassion that will reflect the compassion of your heavenly Father.

Denise, I am proud of you. I am so proud of your accomplishments. This graduation and the diploma that goes along with it did not come with ease, but rather with much fight and tenacity. You have worked hard to get to this point, and as your mom I could not be more proud.

ddykema5@gmail.com

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