For the Class of 2014 . . .

This spring some of my favorite people donned tasseled mortar boards and polyester gowns. They walked an aisle to a stage where they received a handshake and a certificate or diploma acknowledging their achievement.

It's a cultural ritual, a rite of passage from one stage of life to another.

Generations of the graduate's family show up for the event: great-grandpa who only finished the eighth grade, grandma who was the family's first to graduate from college, and Uncle Bill who boasts a BS, MS, and PhD. They rally to celebrate their posterity's success and new beginning. There is hope in new beginnings, and today's families need a good dose of hope.

Shayna, Messiah College graduate

In May our family showed up en masse for my niece Shayna's graduation from Messiah College. She finished her bachelor's program in three years, unheard of in these days of completing the four years of college in five, six or more years. Shayna is a good student, a hard worker. She packed her senior year of high school with advanced placement courses and entered college as a sophomore. Every family needs a shining star, and this red-haired beauty qualifies for the Joneses.

Maverick, Small World graduate

The family rallied again in May for the 2014 graduation of the Small World preschool class. My grandson, Maverick, marched around the gymnasium behind his classmates with an effusive, "look-at-me, mom" grin. Mack loved preschool. He's determined to make a career of it.

And tonight Lakeland High School graduates its class of 2014. They are family of a different sort for me. My thirty-one years of teaching ended when this class was in eighth grade. They represent my last year as a public school educator. What a marvelous group they were to teach! They hold a hallowed spot in this teacher's heart.

Lakeland High School, Class of 2014, June 17

Preschool, high school, and college grads I love . . . I feel a commencement address is in order. My credentials for this privilege include plenty of on-the-job training with mistakes, failures, and missed opportunities. Failure, as you've heard, is a great teacher. Mostly, I'm just getting old, and that holds a satisfying amount of experience and the desire to pass it along.

In three words: DEPEND, THANK, SERVE.

DEPEND . . . on God. Get to know Him, who He is, what He's done, what you mean to Him. Discover that He is a sovereign, wise, and loving God who values YOU. He knows the story of your life, and you can trust Him. Get to know your Creator, Protector, Redeemer, and Friend. HE WILL NEVER LEAVE OR FORSAKE YOU . . . EVER. That's a promise to take with you through life. I wish we could always be with you to help, but we won't be. Seek God and DEPEND on His faithfulness.

THANK . . . Let thankfulness be the spirit of your life. Train your brain to find the wonder and beauty of each day and every situation. Be thankful in everything - it is the secret to being content in life whether you live in plenty or in want. Practice it.

SERVE . . . Life will take on purpose, meaning, and joy as you invest it in other people. Don't allow your life to be all about you. There are children who need to be loved, poor who need to be helped, elderly and ill who need to be comforted, and a world that needs the gifts only you can give. Really.

So keep that focus, dear 2014 graduates. Step with confidence and with God over the threshold to this new beginning. What's on your horizon? Mile after mile of HOPE. God bless.