Today is not a day like any other. The sun will rise and the birds will sing. The temperature may change from one hour to another, but today we have risen from our slumber to embrace what has been set forth for us since before the birth of my youngest daughter.
It is 3:58 a.m. and I have been awake since before 2:00 a.m. It’s going to be a day full of celebration for the accomplishments of my youngest. Today, December 10, 2010, my girl will walk the aisle to meet the dean face to face and while shaking hands, receive her diploma for her graduation from college.
You cannot imagine the joy and thanksgiving in my heart for all the provision God gave to get us here today. Certainly financial provision has been a huge aspect of the whole experience, and without fail God has made ways for me to provide a roof over her head, food for her to eat, a car for her to drive, clothes for her to wear, and all the other hidden costs that are associated with a college education. For all of this I am deeply grateful. But more than this, I am grateful for the woman my daughter has become through her life. There has never been a doubt of the insight and wisdom bestowed upon her beyond her years. She has a heart that will melt yours in all areas and she has known her purpose in life since she could walk and talk.
She used to spend hours upon hours in her room alone playing with her dolls. When I would peep in to check on her she would have them all lined up in rows in front of the white board she had asked for one year from Santa. She loved teaching her dolls whatever she was learning. As the years passed, I knew without a doubt that my daughter would grow up fulfilling her passion to be a teacher.
A few months ago I was going through some of our old things and ran across a book titled, “Growing Up,” which her 5th grade class had put together in 1998. When I read over the words written by my then 11 year old daughter, and pictured where she is in her life 12 years later, I could see so clearly how God had led her into becoming all He had designed and created her to be.
Today we will celebrate her graduation from college. A momentous occasion which would not be here without the incredible hard work, focus, overcoming obstacles, perseverance in the face of great adversity, discipline, wise choices and knowing she was created for this very purpose.
I am proud of my little girl, who has grown up into a beautiful woman of giving and enriching others lives. I am excited to see where she will be led in the next season of her life. Today she steps onto the platform as a student, to receive her diploma, and she will step down from the platform as a teacher, having attained the Bachelor of Science in Education for which she worked so hard. Now she is equipped to join the world of professional teaching, prospering from her passions and creativity, leading children to fulfilling the dreams and purposes in their hearts.
Congratulations honey, I love you and I know you will be the BEST teacher!