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.