Thursday, July 20, 2017

Letter to graduates

Dear Graduate,

There is a little piece of wisdom that is not often included in graduation cards or speeches. Maybe it will strengthen you as you face tomorrow’s challenges. It is simply this:

Set backs are important.

You may struggle in a class in college. Get back up and take it again.

You may experience rejection. Some people have prejudices that affect how they perceive and treat us. Be the most loving person your enemies every hated.

You may experience illness, financial crisis, or an interruption to your plans. Accept God’s grace, and let His strength give you patience and hope.

Graduate, setbacks are the building blocks that courage is built upon. Recovering from life’s interruptions builds the strength of character upon which we lean when life takes its famously unexpected turns: the piercing grief of a stillbirth; a coveted job given to someone else; maltreatment from someone you trusted; a debilitating health crisis. It turns out that those early setbacks of youth are a hidden blessing. They teach us how to wait; how to accept the unexpected; and how to depend on Jesus and let Him be everything we ever needed.

So as you celebrate your laudable achievements today, thank God for the good times—but don’t forget to thank Him for setbacks too. They are both gold.

Our prayers for God’s very best go with you today!

In Christ,

the Valentins

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