Graduation 2008

We graduated another class from school last night.

Its always a bitter sweet event and last night's particularily so, being close with many of the students in this class.

(Side note: I arrived early to check a few things, and who parked right next to me but Pumnani!! Not only was she there, BUT she had brought me a diet coke--nectar of life--AND a Reeses. How this woman knows what i want before i want it is incredible!! We sat in my car and munched that and corn nuts and watched people walk by my van....it was like a movie!!! Love that woman!)

Orangewood graduation is always amazing. Mostly because its personal. You dont attend a private Christian school without getting an intimate feel. Its family. Its personal. Its community.

Last night things went out of the box, a bit...something that is rarely done. However, God was on the move that day.

Steph had asked me for the opportunity to give her testimony at Senior Breakfast, and we had planned on that. Unfortuantely, for various reasons beyond my own control, Senior Breakfast ran late and we were pressed for time. Long story short, she did not get to share her story.

I felt horrible but also knew that despite good planning, stuff happens and the time was gone. Although she said that it did not bother her, I KNEW it did. Plus in all honesty, I knew in my heart that she NEEDED to tell her story before she graduated, and peole needed to hear it. S came to the 'Wood her sophomore year under difficult circumstances (which I wont go into here) and came to know Christ in an amazing way.

Through a series of events, she was given permission to tell her story at graduation. This is unprecendented. Tradition says that the only student speakers at graduation are those who are Valedictorian and Salutatian. No exceptions. However, as I said earlier, God was on the move.

S spoke first...directly after the invocation and the girl...the silly, goofy, go-go, Saturday-Night-Live-to-be star brought the house down with her story.

It was the most honest heart felt testimony I have heard in years. If I can find it digitally on tape I will post it later, because it was beautiful. In a nutshell, she shared how she came into school feeling unloved and seperate and not part of a community. Through her time Orangewood, she not only came to embrace Christ, but began to understand that SHE was worthy and SHE was part of a community of people who loved her and people who KNEW her for what and who she was. It was so dynamic that while tears were sliding down my cheeks, I also caught a sob in my throat. She choked up a bit herself...and the auditorium was silent...silent...silent. Her last few lines...I cant remember them perfectly, but they were something along the lines of that " Because Ive been here, I have realized I am loved for who I am. Thank you for loving me."

Oh my lands.

The girl got a standing ovation.

We could have graduated them right then and there with no other speeches. Oh my. It was sweet.

I reflected on my frustration earlier that day...about how things hadnt gone smoothly, about how I was so irritated that she hadnt gotten to share her story with her class. God truly had other plans, because her audience had grown 10 fold because of that. I wonder sometimes about how God takes our disappointments and turns them into something better. (that is another blog for another time I guess)

The sweetness had just begun. The ceremony went on to include two songs by four special students: The Prayer and For Good (from Wicked), both so meaningful in their words. the speeches by the Valedictorians (we had two) were excellent. And Rev. Jakes address to them was spot on...concise and to the point with something that they could remember in years to come.

My favorite part though is the Passing of the light when the seniors light the juniors candles and then extinguish their own. Its very meaningful and joyful and bittersweet.

It was a lovely night. It reminded me why I love the community that i am in. Its not always perfect or peachy as things rarely consistently are, but when its good...its amazing.