Ah, graduation.
I remember it… vaguely.
But as luck and family circumstance would have it, I had a chance to relive that magic moment a couple of weeks ago. My wife and I were privileged to travel to Corvallis, Oregon to see my niece, Olivia, graduate from Oregon State University.
GO BEAVERS!
It reminded me of how awesome it felt to be able to look at that long list of “To Do’s” and put the word DONE beside them.
Final papers? DONE!
Final exams? DONE!
Final classes? DONE!
Final projects? DONE!
Final cleaning and walk-through of your off-campus apartment? DONE!
Final tearful gathering with college friends? DONE!
Those first few days after walking onstage to receive one’s hallowed sheepskin is a good time to breathe deeply and bask in the warm afterglow of accomplishment.
And so, in that magic moment with her mom, and dad, and sister, I didn’t have the heart to burst Olivia’s bubble and tell her about the NEXT project waiting for her around the corner… the one called “GETTING LIFE DONE.”
It would have seriously rained on her parade to tell her just how slippery and elusive this project will be. I mean, I’ve been working on it for 67 ½ years now, and am just beginning to feel like I understand the “deliverables.”
I mean, what kind of sadistic uncle would show up and tell the new graduate about all the funky twists and turns, the outrages, the injustices, the dense fog, or the surprising GRACE she will bump into on her way to completing this next assignment?
Without a doubt, this is going to be the most challenging project she has ever faced. Fortunately for her though, there is help.
For starters, Olivia has a couple of wise, loving parents to turn to. I know they will devote every ounce of their energy and imagination to helping her navigate the path ahead.
And like any good dad, I know that if my brother doesn’t know the answer to her question right away, he’ll just make something up.
It’s what guys do.
There is also the extended family of goofballs, clowns, and scalawags to provide comic relief, if not actual assistance.
Olivia also has a wise-beyond-her-years younger sister who loves her fiercely she can lean on anytime she needs to.
And because she has actively built a strong network of friends over the years, Olivia will have all of those folks behind her, too… ready to step up and do whatever is needed, whenever it is needed.
I don’t think anyone would argue that getting life done is truly one of the most challenging assignments any of us will ever face. Having family and friends to mentor us along the way is incredibly helpful.
But I hope none of us who needs it ever hesitates to reach out our hand for the biggest, most capable, most dependable, and wisest resource around; Jesus.
True, his original words, recorded in Matthew 11:28-30, were NOT addressed to a 21stcentury, tech, and social-media saturated world. But when he looked out at his audience of first-century peasants and said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light,” I can’t help but imagine he saw you and me there in the crowd, too.
So congratulations on your amazing achievement, Olivia. Graduating from college is a HUGE accomplishment for which you and your mom and dad should be enormously proud.
Blessings to you as you face the road ahead.
Please know that you have all kinds of help available when and if you need it…
… including a zany uncle and a savior.
Russellings of the Spirit 
Good job on the restraint! Her bubble will be burst soon enough! LOL! And it sounds like she has an amazing support system to get her through the “twists and turns.”