Last night was Promotions Night. One of our girls was promoted from the 6th grade to the 7th grade. And our other girl graduated from 8th grade and is now…a high schooler! And it happened overnight.

“Mom, does that mean that today I’m a high schooler?” She asked me this morning.

“Yes,” I replied. “That’s what it means.”

It was a strange transition to contemplate. After graduation, which signified her completion of eight years of primary schooling, she became something she never was before…a high schooler. Although many parents describe the growth and changes in their maturing young people as happening overnight, the transition my daughter and I were discussing literally happened overnight.

To commemorate her graduation, Daddy gave a short speech of recognition to honor our daughter at the Promotions Night ceremony. What follows is his speech.

“Excited”

“Maria, there’s hardly been a day in your life when I have not heard you say at least once, “I’m so excited!” Whether it was about joining BYT, or getting your Bible Bee packet in the mail or your next birthday (even when we had just celebrated it the day before). More recently, you have been saying “I’m so excited about our trip to Oregon for the family reunion”‘, or “helping out with Kid’s Adventure Week at church” or “going on the Mission to Mexico this summer.” And don’t forget, the next Hobbit movie this coming December. You’ve already got your hobbit costume picked out. And it sounds like I’ll be dressed up as Gandalf (I’d better start growing out my beard). I love you for your excitement and enthusiasm about life. That spirit of enthusiasm comes from a keen sense of hope and expectation for the future. Don’t ever lose it.

“There have also been times when your hopes and expectations have not come to pass as you would have liked. You have felt a deep sense of disappointment, maybe even anger. But, I have seen you come through those times, though difficult, with the knowledge and assurance that God is in control and He has the very best in mind for you. It is exciting to see you begin to develop a sense of hope and trust in God as you learn to pray and to study God’s Word. You are finding Him to be faithful to you even in the hard times.

“As you enter on the next stage of your education in high school, you will face many challenges, trials and difficult choices. Always remember to seek the LORD daily for His strength and for the grace to make choices that please Him. God has great plans for you even as He did for the people of Israel. As He says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” As I read that verse I can almost hear God saying, “I love you, Maria, and I am so excited!”

“Ever since you came into our home, over 14 years ago, our hope and prayer for you has been that you would grow to be a godly woman who loves God and serves others with all of your heart. Mommy and I are so excited to see God doing those very things in your life.

“We love you, Honey!”

Maria’s Eighth Grade Promotion
June 10, 2013