These words from John's gospel that were read at our Easter service still resonate in me:
 Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"   -John 20: 17

Ascension always involves departing and letting go. We want to hang on to the good times, the epiphanies and the Camelot times in our lives, but there are more building blocks necessary for a launching pad into the next chapter in life.

I'm looking out the glass door of my office watching the 
preschool children climbing the play set and squealing with delight. O how I long for the days when my little ones were little and they climbed the play set and shrieked with delight. Now they are ascending other structures such as a career and college.  No matter how I wanted to hold on to my little ones it was not meant to be; it never was. Each phase of growth and development comes to an end with a commencement and letting go.

The first weekend of May our family is traveling to Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi to participate in Michael's commencement ceremony. O my how it seems just like yesterday that he was climbing on the play set. As we celebrate his ascension to the next level of life it's a mixed bag. With joy we celebrate him, bless him into his future and let go even more. How can the heart smile and ache at the same time?

Many of you are preparing for upcoming commencement ceremonies. God's blessings on you all as your child(ren) ascend to new heights and you experience the rather strange blessing of letting go.

Prayer for Today

Bless all our students, O Lord, who are preparing to take their next steps into the glorious futures you have planned for them. For those of us who are letting go, allow us to remember with grateful hearts while experiencing the comfort and assurance of your spirit. Amen.