To my daughter on the occasion of her graduation.

Dear Rachel,

The time has come to celebrate what has been completed and yet has only begun. I understand the nostalgia that sweeps through the mind at an occasion like this. I have often danced with such thoughts myself. Looking back is a normal part of our existence. The backward glance can be our friend if used as intended. Often I have looked through an old photo album only to find myself smiling or even wiping a tear. Sometimes regrets fill my mind as I think of what could have been. Looking back can and should encourage joy and motivate future striving. It can also sober the mind and focus the thoughts. It should inspire thanksgiving at the forgiveness and mercy of God. Nostalgia can be our friend and our teacher. It can also be our enemy if it's warden binds us and we become enslaved to what is sold to us as our “best days” which now are past. Looking back without longing for what has been takes wisdom and courage. We might retreat for a brief visit and find refreshment, focus, instruction and motivation but we must guard against the paralysis of the past.

You are at one of those many pivotal moments in life. This is a time that calls you to look back. Embrace the call but with the aforementioned warnings. A deep breath of reflection will usher in much needed moments of restoration. You are on a mountain top and from there you are able to see the path of providence that you have already walked and you are also able to see a vision for the future. It is certain that the individual steps ahead cannot be well seen from the mountain. However, your eyes can gaze, in a general way, upon the peaks and valleys; the curves and hills that paint the horizon. The vision is enthralling and the view, like a giant magnet, will pull you forward. That is unless you choose to only look back and long for the days of yesteryear. Thankfully the Omnipotent One has chosen to keep the individual paths of the future hidden lest we become overwhelmed with the dangers and sorrows and lest we become prideful of future achievements. He has chosen that we walk by faith as we pilgrim forward. However, He lets us see the big picture of peaks, valleys and winding roads. The specific pits and rocks and merriments may not be seen from the top but the breathtaking skyline beckons us onward.

Rachel you are challenged to march forward. You do so bathed in prayer, saturated with love, and with hope in God. As you think of us please recall patience, tenderness and forgiveness. As co-sinners with you we have often failed you. There are games not played, tempers lost, words unspoken, and encouragements not given. We offer no excuses and ask only for forgiving love. We also are looking back this day. Tears of joy and regret wash our eyes. We also are tempted to long for and listen for old opportunities to knock again. We also are challenged to learn from our nostalgia, stand on what is eternally good, and look into the future. We find ourselves with you. We stand on the mountain at your side. Your joy today is our joy. Your hopes are our hopes. With older eyes we can see with you the peaks and valleys that are ahead. We are on the same journey-- though we will stop in different villages along the way. Let us go together to that “City upon a hill”. We see it now with the eyes of faith. Let us labor to make sure that we enter in. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (I John 3:2-3 NAS).

Rachel, if our faith is in Christ and Christ only then the best is indeed yet to come. That (future) "best" is exceedingly better. With Christ as our hope we reach forward. The mind can scarcely contemplate the words “we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” These are hope inspiring words. Rachel, cling to this hope and because He is pure—you—my dear daughter—walk in purity.

Your mother and I have loved you even before that first moment when through tear clouded eyes we saw you. The journey has taken us through many fevers and ballgames. It has winded through family, friendships and churches. It has taken us through the waters of baptism and brought us to this day—a new day. This is a day not to be lost on dreams of folly but gained by the hope of Christ. Yes, we look back and remember. We look inward and re-focus. We look forward and gain new vision. We look upward and long for Christ. We move forward in purity. This is a great day not to be wasted but to be celebrated. He has brought us here. He will lead us onward. Take the next step with full confidence that you are in His grip.

I love you,

Daddy