We are a few days away from our oldest one’s high school graduation. I’ve been hesitant to write about graduation in general for several reasons, maybe the biggest being that I don’t want to tie a bow on it and be done with this season. I know this event doesn’t mark an ending as much as it marks a transition, but it sure feels like a big one.
Life isn’t always sunshine and roses with three teenage girls living under one roof. Even still, this is our life as we know it and love it. I am grieving the transition of one going away to college for myself, of course, but even more so for my younger girls and the countless ways they will miss their big sister’s year-round, permanent presence in this house.
Anyone watching can quickly see that our eldest is for the younger two their preferred driver, their favorite shopping buddy, their most trusted confidant, and their oldest friend. No one else’s opinion carries more weight. No one else can cheer them up as quickly. She approves our outfits. She is the keeper (and sometimes the thief) of our best dresses, jewelry, and hair tools.
The energy level in our house will change without our resident cheerleader and the circle of friends she constantly has over at various hours of the day/night. I will miss the senior girls we’ve grown to love the past few years, most especially the dearest friend who feels like a fourth daughter. Has the strumming of a guitar or the belting of a musical theatre number in the wee hours of the morning disturbed my sleep? Yes. Will it be sadly quiet upstairs without that next year? Also yes.
When the girls were much younger and I was still in my minivan era, we had a little ritual of saying a blessing at school drop off. (Understand this was only on good days, as many of our mornings were completely chaotic in that life stage). When we were all holding it together, though, I would start saying this blessing as each one got ready to hop out of the car. They would say it along with me, even if sometimes in grumpy voices:
May the Lord bless you and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.
This was our morning ritual for a long time.
I haven’t said the words of that blessing out loud in many years now. Everything changed in the middle school and high school years. AirPods, phones, and strong musical preferences entered the scene. Then it all changed again when the older two started driving themselves to school. Now I’m most often left yelling quick “byes” and “love you’s” as they hurry out the door.
At the baccalaureate service last weekend, we sang “The Blessing”—the modern musical version of the passage from Numbers that our little car ritual was based on. Then a choir closed out the senior dinner by singing the older more formal choral version of this same blessing. And with a hard swallow, I had a full-circle moment. I could nearly hear my oldest one saying the words in her high-pitched 6-year-old voice.
May the Lord bless you and protect you…
Time stand still.
~~~~~~~~~~
The passage from Numbers 6:24-26 is called the Aaronic blessing because God instructed Moses to have Aaron pronounce it over the Israelites as part of his priestly duties. Despite their repeated disobedience and failures as a nation, God was determined to bless his people. Since Christ’s coming and for thousands of years since, this blessing has continued to be passed on as a reminder that God protects and delights in his people—not because we are good, but because he is gracious.
I can’t imagine a more reassuring promise for young, wide-eyed graduates or their weary, middle-aged parents. God’s love isn’t earned. It’s not a merit-based award. Through Christ, God’s favor is simply bestowed on us as his beloved children.
As Tim Keller says, “The point of blessing is God wants you to sense his love on your heart.” Keller urges us to both receive the blessing and to be a blessing.
To this graduating class that is near and dear to God’s heart and my own:
We are for you. Your parents, your siblings, your extended family, your coaches, your teachers, your community. We want to see you soar.
We don’t pretend that the road ahead will always be easy for you. But we pray you will keep turning your face toward the Lord who delights in you at every juncture of your journey.
He is for you. May your roots grow down so deep into the soil of his marvelous love that you never doubt His goodness or grace.
Walk into your future with hope and heart knowing you are cherished. May that truth shape and guide you at every turn.
Cheers to you, dear class of 2025.
Be a blessing.
And be blessed.
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