Ready to Launch
I finally did make it home today from the hospital by mid-afternoon. After the final review of cultures and tests and a visit from my infectious disease doctor I was given the okay to return home. I will continue on IV antibiotics for the next two days as an outpatient back at McKee Hospital. I was also give a new medication that I will take for the next two weeks to address some fluid around my heart. Fortunately the urine cultures did not indicate anything too abnormal or a specific bacteria in sufficient number to cause concern. However with my history all of the doctors error on the side of caution.
This evening we did attend the home school graduation of Sarah Luzinski. Sarah is the daughter of Craig and Cyndy who were neighbors to Debbie’s mother when she was in the house we are in now and they have become good friends. A special graduation ceremony took place at Timberline Church for the Olive Tree Home-School network honoring 14 graduates.
Craig took on the intimidating job of speaking at his daughter’s graduation. He did a good job and presented a transparent and challenging message on how to “thrive” in life. I took some cues from Craig that helped me with tonight’s blog.
High School graduations are the most special. Many attempts have been made to describe this transition in life. Tonight I heard reference to the idea of “launching children into the future” and perhaps that is an appropriate metaphor. So much goes into the preparation to bring a child through the physical, social and educational stages of growth that are represented in a high school graduation. It is not just a “launching” into the future, but into adulthood. There is much reflection on the past and anticipation for the future in a high school graduation and that was evident this evening in these sharp young men and women. I believe they will do well.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “I have come that you might have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10
Where ever Jesus was He imparted life. He forgave sins, He healed, He raised the dead. The idea of “abundant living” comes from Jesus. It is well said that Jesus does not just intend for us to survive in life, but to thrive in life. As Craig shared this evening he inspired my own thought process of the idea of how to “thrive” in life. I decided to express some concepts in an acrostic so here it goes:
T – Take a long view of life – Life begins and it is measured in months and then years and then seasons. It is important to set goals and to keep dreaming dreams. It is always inspiring at this time of the year to hear of a 70, 80 even 90 year old completing a degree.
H – Have patience with yourself – Honor the investment of others in your life. Patience is an important virtue, but is especially so when it comes to our own lives. Also, remember those throughout your life who have feed into your life. The old saying is, “if you see a turtle on a fence post you know he didn’t get there by himself.”
R – Remember priorities determine capacity (thanks Craig for this one) Craig gave the great visual of the “big rocks in a jar.” You can only fill a space to capacity if you put the big rocks in first and then the small “stuff.” As Solomon said in Ecclesiastes, “Remember your creator in the days of your youth.” Our lives have limits, we must fill them first with that which is most important.
I – Invest in others – The opening words of Rick Warren’s book “The Purpose Drive Life” are “it is not all about you!” We grow, we live full when we invest in the lives of others. I was delighted to hear tonight of the number of graduates who had been on mission trips and have hearts of mercy and compassion for others.
V – View failures as opportunities to grow. If you don’t fail you probably are not trying. Failures in life are not to be seasons of discouragement but of learning and readjustment.
E – Examine your relationships (thanks Craig for this one too) the adage, “show me your friends and I will show you your future” is true. We need to be with those who have achieved the success we would like to have and learn from them. Another saying I don’t hear too often (it may be politically incorrect) is, “it is hard to fly with the eagles when you are surrounded by turkeys.”
Our ability to “thrive” is founded in our relationship with Christ and our commitment to His Word. We must live life in the context of God’s grace and forgiveness and wisdom. When we do so we will know the abundant, full life God has for us.