When you were born, I looked into those big blue eyes and I saw so much. Eyes that were taking it all in. Eyes that were so inquisitive. Eyes that just wanted to see it all and experience it all.
You always were a kid who wanted to please. You wanted to be the best and do the best. Throughout your whole schooling experience you worked so hard and gave it everything you had. Some nights working late into the night.
You are both Grace and Grit!
We are so proud of you and all you have accomplished in these 18 years of life.
You have learned so much. Your acedemic and Biblical knowledge far surpasses many! (Including your mother!) Just remember that knowledge is not just knowing a bunch of facts, but being able to live it.
Your graduation from high school may feel bittersweet, but this is not an ending. This is a beginning! From little on, you have enjoyed learning, but you can’t learn anything, if you stop moving forward. You can’t start something new, if you don’t end something.
Ahead is the next thing. Ahead puts the past behind us. Ahead is where change happens. You are equipped with all that you need to go into this world. You have all that you need in the Lord. While He may not offer clear direction, He gives a hopeful vision, and always promises His presence wherever you go.
Things will feel different after graduation, but only for a little while. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and don’t expect to change the world! That’s too big a burden. Just change the world around you!
“Try to see the world not as it is, but how it could be.” You can’t change the world by looking at it, you can only change the world by living in it. You are going to go right, when the world is going left. Just when you think you have it figured out, you are thrown onto another path. Let Jesus use you where you are. He will make the crooked path straight.
Don’t get so focused on where you are going that you forget about where you came from. Big dreams are good, but don’t miss the little things. You are never too old to do goofy stuff. Be silly. Dance in the rain and splash in the puddles!
You probably feel like you are about to take on the world. No matter where you are, whether you are million miles or just a quarter of a mile away, we will always be there. It’s not what stands in front of you, it’s who stands behind you and beside you. Let’s go there together.
The only time you should look back is to see how far you’ve come, and to see the people who are behind you- people who are more proud than you will ever know!
You owe the world your gifts!
You are more than we ever expected and better than we could have ever imagined. We’ve always been the ones to see your talent and all you can do, now you get to share it with the world.
We are so proud of you! We were proud of you the moment you took your first breath, and we will be proud of you until we take our last.
Cowles Farm 