Passing on Solomon’s Wisdom [Here’s to You Graduates]

Coolness of evening descends. Hummers flit their last dances to drink in homemade nectar.

Perfection. Beauty. Stillness.

I sit contemplating the events of the past 48 hours. A whirlwind of activity. A jumble of emotions.

Graduation parties began in earnest Saturday, and Sunday was THE day. A day of excitement, apprehension, joy, and yes, some sadness (at least for a couple of us). A day filled with nostalgia for me. The day my firstborn officially graduated from high school.

It started off with a church tribute to our graduates featuring a slideshow of their activities through the years, while a foursome, including his brother, sang the heart-tugging “Find Your Wings” written by Mark R. Harris and Tony W. Wood.

Doubly emotional for a sentimental mama like me!

The near-man was/is/has been ready. His mom, not so much.

It’s not that I’m fearful for him or unsure of his abilities or wanting him to stay forever young. But I will miss him, terribly! And more than that, his rite of passage heralds in a parental shift that I’m not altogether ready for.

How quickly his siblings will follow suit!

As I watched the seniors stride across the stage and reach for their diplomas, I wondered what the future held for each. Is she ready to live life on her own? Is he grounded in what is important? Is their hope placed in the one and only trustworthy Guide?

And the age-old question that must pass through every Christian parent’s mind crept into mine:  Did I do a good enough job discipling my child? I have to trust the answer is yes.

I want to sit with each young man and woman. Pass on hard-won truths. Point out that their future glows brightest when it is less about “me,” more about “we,” and mostly about “Him.”

I want to ingrain the wisdom of Solomon into their beings.

So to all the graduates and near-graduates, this is for you:

My son, don’t forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commands;
² for they will bring you
many days, a full life, and well-being.
³ Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.
Tie them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will find favor and high regard
in the sight of God and man.
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding;
⁶ think about Him in all your ways,
and He will guide you on the right paths.
⁷ Don’t consider yourself to be wise;
fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
⁸ This will be healing for your body
and strengthening for your bones.
⁹ Honor the Lord with your possessions
and with the first produce of your entire harvest;
¹⁰ then your barns will be completely filled,
and your vats will overflow with new wine.
¹¹ Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son,
and do not loathe His discipline;
¹² for the Lord disciplines the one He loves,
just as a father, the son he delights in.
¹³ Happy is a man who finds wisdom
and who acquires understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver,
and her revenue is better than gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than jewels;
nothing you desire compares with her.
¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand;
in her left, riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant,
and all her paths, peaceful.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who embrace her,
and those who hold on to her are happy.
¹⁹ The Lord founded the earth by wisdom
and established the heavens by understanding.
²⁰ By His knowledge the watery depths broke open,
and the clouds dripped with dew.
²¹ Maintain your competence and discretion.
My son, don’t lose sight of them.
²² They will be life for you
and adornment for your neck.
²³ Then you will go safely on your way;
your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.
²⁵ Don’t fear sudden danger
or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,
²⁶ for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from a snare.
²⁷ When it is in your power,
don’t withhold good from the one it belongs to.
²⁸ Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later.
I’ll give it tomorrow”—when it is there with you.
²⁹ Don’t plan any harm against your neighbor,
for he trusts you and lives near you.
³⁰ Don’t accuse anyone without cause,
when he has done you no harm.
³¹ Don’t envy a violent man
or choose any of his ways;
³² for the devious are detestable to the Lord,
but He is a friend to the upright.
³³ The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked,
but He blesses the home of the righteous;
³⁴ He mocks those who mock,
but gives grace to the humble.
³⁵ The wise will inherit honor,
but He holds up fools to dishonor.
                                                —Proverbs 3,HCSB

Share in the Discussion: What words of wisdom would you pass on to graduates given the chance?

Linking with A Holy Experience to celebrate my graduate and all the other sweet gifts of joy I’m blessed with, #632–652 (view them all here):

• • All students safe in fugitive scare; sweet scent of lilacs; Son accepted into college Honors Program=to God be the glory
  • Miraculous healing power of God heralded by an acquaintance; celebrating my youngest’s events; scanner convenience
  • Special prayers for our graduates at tonight’s baccalaureate; homemade strawberry pie—unbeatable!; worship songs
  • God’s fingerprints; medical advancements; reminders of what’s truly important
  • Lost teeth; His presence in my overwhelmed absence; Met need
  • Seeing a spider knock itself out—no kidding!; Faith; Cool, creamy ice cream
  • My first baby’s high school graduation—so proud!; Spending all day with family; Cake balls—gotta love ’em