Gina Caswell Kelly
It is graduation time. I think this time of year is such a special time. From the littles graduating into “real” school, to those graduating from college with a PhD, graduation signifies change and growth. I have a grandson graduating this year. His class has always been so special, and being on the sidelines with my camera for virtually their entire lives has made them even more special. They were doing their Senior Walk through the other campuses this week. I was at one of those walks. One by one, almost the entire class stopped to hug me. If you think I was not shedding real tears, you would be wrong. If you think this was not so special for me, you would be wrong. I love these babies with my whole heart.
I was thinking about these kids and wondering what to tell a new graduate as they head into the world, basically on their own to start their adult life. There are so many things I wish I had known at that age, and gosh! There is so much more to know today. We live in an ever-changing world. A world that sometimes seems bent on destruction! What do we tell our kids as they face this new adult life ahead of them?
1. Serve God. Look for God’s plan for your life. He created you with a plan. Ask Him to show you that plan.
2. Live within your means. Shiny and new is not always the way to go. Don’t overspend in order to look successful to others. Don’t get into a credit card trap!
3. Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to say you don’t know how to do something. That is how you learn.
4. Keep a positive attitude about your life and what is happening around you. Control what you can, but accept that some things are out of your control and work with them.
5. Accept responsibility for what is your responsibility and don’t look for someone to blame.
6. (In that same vein) Don’t expect your parents to bail you out of jams. If you did it, then you take care of the situation. You are the adult now.
7. Be patient. You are not going to become a millionaire in your first year out! Work hard for what you want.
8. Learn the difference in what you want and what you need. They are not the same.
9. Get up and go to work or school. Don’t assume feeling bad one morning is the same as being sick. It is not. Get up. Get in the shower. You will feel better.
10. Live intentionally. Live for today, but live for the future as well. Start saving for retirement from the very beginning. (Thank me later for that one.)
I could go on and list so many more! But these are pretty key ones. The first one especially. As it says in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you…” God does have a plan for each life and if we want to live a life of true contentment, we will spend time with Him and learn what His plan is for us. No matter how old you are!
Congratulations graduates! Go with God and go with grace! It makes a difference!
