“I have great confidence in you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. With all our affliction, I am overjoyed.” – 2 Corinthians 7:4
Tonight, we will attend my oldest daughter’s graduation from high school. We are happy to celebrate her many wonderful accomplishments, and we look forward to an exciting future. I must admit that the last several days have been cause for many walks down memory lane. After all, how could our little baby be graduating from high school? She has become an outstanding young woman, but in so many ways we still see her as our little girl.
We have taken great joy in sharing stories of Ella Kate’s early years. Some stories are filled with joy and laughter. Some stories bring tears. They are the memories that have helped to shape her life.
Earlier this week, I reminded her of something that happened when our family was shopping. Ella Kate was very little. It was at the time in her life when she was potty training. She told her mom she needed to go to the bathroom, so Aimee rushed her to the nearest bathroom. While washing their hands, another person approached at the sink. She was a complete stranger. Ella Kate looked up to the stranger with a big smile on her face and said, “My daddy’s going to be so proud of me, and he will be proud of you too.” Her sweet words brought a smile to this stranger’s face.
It’s true, I was proud of her then and I am proud of her today. I have often thought of that phrase that she spoke so long ago. It reminds me so much of our relationship with God, our Father. God has been and continues to love and cherish us, his Children. In the opening to the book of Ephesians, Paul writes;
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” (Ephesians 1:3-5)
God is with us on our journey in this life. God sees our accomplishments, our failures, our struggles, and our joy. In all areas of our lives, God looks at us, as a loving parent, and takes great joy in us. We are the work of God’s creative love. God loves us. Today, I hope you find strength and peace in knowing that God is with you. God loves you. Our Father is proud of you.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
