To Be: A Blessing
One of my favorite weekly podcasts has become “The Next Right Thing” with Emily P. Freeman. She has an incredible book with the same title (written before Frozen 2). Each Tuesday Emily releases a new podcast. Her podcasts are refreshing, honest and real. I get excited to hear her read scripture, talk with guests, and process life in a way that helps, me/us, the listener wonder more deeply about being created by a Creator that loves passionately and fully. Anyway, a few weeks ago Emily released this blessing for graduates. No, I am not currently a graduate, but there was something about this blessing that encouraged me, awakened me, and brought hope for what God is up to in my life and those around me.
As always, read slow. Breathe deep. Read slowly again. Breathe a little deeper.
Episode 229: A Blessing for Graduates
… May you ever be a student of life, of people, and of the world around you.
If there is apprehension of the future, may it melt into hope.
The choices you will make as you grow will always come with a mix bag of fear and doubt; excitement and love.
It is ok to not feel confident all the time, no one does.
May you not be overwhelmed by too many options or underwhelmed by the lack of them.
Remember the point is not so much about making a right or wrong decision, as a much as, it is about the person you are becoming as you go along your way and as you move into the world. Do not forget who you already are.
Honor the toddler you, with your questions of Where? Why? Why? Why?
Give a nod of respect to the elementary school you, who learned to stand in line, write full sentences, play tag, hide and seek and survive in resilience even in times of confusion, joy, celebration, and wonder. Even in times of heart break. Even in times of grief.
Offer love and compassion to the middle school you, in all your awkward glory. Can you celebrate your courage? Do you see how hard you were trying?
The teenage you, that has changed so much in the last several years. That teenage you will always be within you. Your curious questions, your testing the limits, your flourishing, and your longing for justice.
I hope that you can forgive yourself for what you did not know yet. I hope you can accept your true, full, authentic, wonderful self.
May you know that you are beloved, seen and known by God. Equipped for good. Designed in goodness.
No matter where you go or how far you travel, you will never be alone because God has made a home in you. You are always surrounded and embodied in love.
What are you bringing forward in this mad and beautiful world,, in this new stage in life? What gifts are we waiting to receive from you?
No matter what, you cannot miss your own future.
Let this reflection be a reminder of what your schooling has done for you. How being there has shaped you and how you will be changed moving forward.
Welcome to this next chapter of your life Graduate. Here’s to your Next Right Thing. You are a gift. You are a wonder. We have been waiting for you.
-Emily P. Freeman
