Today was the day when they honored the graduates at church. No problem. I haven't really been overly emotional about my daughter graduating - except maybe in frustration of trying to "get it all done." This has not been a sad time - maybe because I simply haven't had the time. Oh, I had moments of thinking the time has passed too quickly, but no real moments of sadness or tears. Then today, before they even got to the "honor the graduates" part, they played a song by Matt Redmon and before I knew it I was sobbing. Not sweet little dab your eyes tears....nope, it was more of that shaking kind of a sob that comes from way down deep. Not sadness - not at all. Deep, deep tears of thankfulness for how faithful God has been.
The rest of today's random thought flowed from that song and is dedicated to my daughter, Samantha, and I guess to all the other moms out there who share in this overwhelming feeling of gratitude as they watch their child graduate. This is not the end, but a new beginning. Forgive us for our tears...we are just overwhelmed by the goodness of our God and His love for you.
Seventeen plus years ago, God looked down and saw a heart that cried out for one to love and in His mercy and grace - He sent you. I am not, nor will I ever be worthy of the name "mom" - it is only by His grace that I can know this joy. We've had hard times and I'm sure plenty of those times you have wished God would have chosen a different family for you...but never once have I wished for anyone other than you. I know that I can trust God with your future because you've always belonged, not to me, but to Him. He has allowed us to be a part of His great plan for you and I will forever be grateful for His love. I feel a lot like the mom in the movie The Blindside when someone told her she'd changed that boy's life and she replied, "No. He's changing mine." Samantha - you've changed my life. Thank you. I look forward to watching you begin a new phase of your life in His will. I love the saying you have in your room, "I may not know what my future holds, but I know who holds my future." You always have been and always will be, an answer to prayer. Never once, will you ever walk alone.
Here's the song that started the waterworks...Samantha - I dedicate this to you.
Never Once - Matt Redmon
Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we've come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us
Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You've done
Knowing every victory
Is Your power in us
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we'll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
(Click on link below to view video of this song.)
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