A NEW CHAPTER OF LIFE

There are several special occasions that we all look forward to in our life. Seeing our grandchildren graduate from high school and college are on the top of my husbands and my list. It was a long four years but finally it was here. Alex was graduating from High School.  We sat with 3500 other excited people that were there to support the 576 students that were graduating. It would be a long night, but well worth it. Maybe that is why Alex titled his speech "At Long Last ." Never the less, we were so proud of Alex as he addressed his high school peers with such determination. As he gave the speech to the 2017 class all of a sudden I remembered I graduated 50 years ago this year. It was so long ago, however I could still feel the fear of leaving what seemed so safe and comfortable for the past twelve years. At seventeen the world seemed so big and scary.  I'm sure the uncertainty of life was on their minds also.   

Alex's voice boomed out as he explained to his peers they were starting a new chapter in their life. He said, "We are the Author and Illustrator of our life by the choices we make and our behavior that we display." Our past mistakes are not what defines us, tonight is the night to put them all behind us. We have a new beginning as we step out into the real world. Then his voice changed, it had a more serious tone as he shared a lesson that his dad had taught him. "My dad, shared with me that my name REZA was more than just my last name. It represented him, my grandfather and my great grandfather. He explained that my entire family for several generations was counting on me not to bring shame upon the family name." He stopped for a moment then, Alex continued, " I always thought long and hard before I did something that would not make them proud of me." In closing Alex reminded the graduates they were starting a new chapter in their life, He encouraged them to always ask themselves this one question, "how can I live a life to be proud of?"

As I listened to Alex's speech, I realized not only did the words he spoke apply to the lives of the graduating class, but all of us that have been born again in Jesus Christ. I thought to myself, when we give our hearts to Jesus we also start a new chapter in our life. It is a new beginning are sins are forgiven never to be remembered again. God said, "I, even I am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Isaiah 43:25.     

 We are children of God. We also have a responsibility to live as our Heavenly Father commands; What is it that God is asking us to do? Micah 6:8 says; O people, the Lord has already told you what is good and acceptable in His sight. What is it that the Lord requires of you? To do what is right, to show mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Then we can claim Gods promise that our name is written in the biggest book ever. God's Book it's called the Lamb's Book of Life.