As I watched my oldest grandson graduate from high school, a tsunami of memories washed over me. There were 699 in my graduating class. On graduation night, names were called, and faces came forward that I didn’t recognize. Unlike my grandson, I didn’t graduate with a whole lot of honors, but I was good friends with the valedictorian. (That counts, right?) Though my gown wasn’t decorated with many cords of honor, I did learn some honorable lessons.
I remember beginning my high school career behind the wheel of a red, four-speed Opel Kadett station wagon that doubled as my dad’s weekend surveying vehicle. I hated that car, but it took me places I wanted to go, ever so slowly! Driving it built character and administered a dose of humility with every turn of the key.
My senior year, when my grandfather helped me buy an old green Pontiac Ventura, I thought I was stepping in high cotton. I first thought he didn’t have enough money to buy it outright. Later, I realized that his insistence on me paying half proved he loved me enough to teach me the value of hard work.
Throughout high school, my dad insisted that I take as many math and science courses as I could. After struggling through Algebra II with Trig, I decided that doing well in one out of the two of those classes wasn’t so bad. Learning to focus on my strengths while working through my weaknesses taught me that I don’t have to BE the best, I simply need to DO my best.
Yet, my most profound lessons from high school (and college) were taught by my seasonal friendships. I didn’t know it at the time, but most friends come and go with a change of neighborhoods, schools, jobs, and churches we attend. I’m the kind of person who likes forever friends. I don’t let go easily. Thankfully, I am blessed with a few faithful friends who have been and will always be a phone call away. They are the pick-up-where-you-left-off kind. They still teach me what it means to be steadfast, loyal, and ever true. I’m thankful that my grandson has found friends like that, too.
I continue to tell these kinds of stories to my grandchildren. They seem to like hearing them as much as I enjoy telling them. However, there is one lesson I want them to learn much sooner than I did. I could have learned it early on, but no one seemed to know that I didn’t know it. And I didn’t know what I didn’t know. It’s a fundamental lesson that, if not learned early on, will eventually cause a whole house of emotions to come tumbling down. What was that lesson?
Jesus is my friend.
When I graduate from this life and the roll is called up yonder, my name won’t be recognized by the masses. My robe won’t be decorated with grandiose achievements, but I WILL be best friends with the Head of the Class, and that’s what counts! He is the One who has walked with me into every character-building class. He’s seen all of my weaknesses and helped me do my best. With Him, I know I don’t have to BE the best, I just need to let Him help me DO my best. Working with Him is easy because He shares the load. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. (Matthew 11:30)
Most of all, I want my grandchildren to know that Jesus is a forever friend. He will never leave them, and they never have to call Him long distance since His Spirit lives inside all who call Him Lord. Jesus won’t move to a distant neighborhood, change schools or jobs, and His presence can be felt in every church full of spirit-filled believers. As close friends, our obedience isn’t a duty, it’s a delight! His sweet friendship invites us to relax in our permanent relationship and enjoy our life so much that others want to join His circle of friends.
“I love each of you with the same love that the Father loves me. You must continually let my love nourish your hearts. If you keep my commands, you will live in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands, for I continually live nourished and empowered by his love. My purpose for telling you these things is so that the joy that I experience will fill your hearts with overflowing gladness!” (John 15:9-11 TPT)
