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As School Begins, 'You Have an Amazing Opportunity Ahead of You'
By Grace Chambers
CHICAGO, IL (August 16, 2003) - (Editor's Note: With the approach of
school comes the hope of learning that may translate into something
beautiful for our children. One of our Covenant teens gave an
encouragement that Covenant Communications offers to the wider church.
This article appeared in "The Good Sam Gazette," the church newsletter
of Good Samaritan Community Covenant Church, Valley Springs, California.
It was the valedictorian speech by Grace Chambers at her graduation
ceremony at Calaveras High School. She is now a first-year student at
North Park University.)
It began like any other normal car ride. My dad and I driving quietly
along, briefly discussing current baseball standings or recent events. I
watched the scenery out the window and enjoyed the cool air on a hot
summer afternoon. Suddenly my dad turned and said, "Grace, you have an
amazing opportunity ahead of you." My mind raced - what could he be
talking about? I frantically searched for a way to avoid this topic; I
wasn't sure where he was headed, but such a direct confrontation was
quite unappealing to me. I sunk a bit lower in my seat as I prepared for
the awkward conversation that was to follow. I tuned my ears to the
monotonous talk radio and prayed that some miracle would cause him to
lose his train of thought, so that we could return to the comfortable
quiet.
But it was to no avail. My dad continued, and I was honestly quite
surprised with his next words: "I mean, Grace, how many kids can go
through all of high school saying they've never gotten a 'B'? It's kind
of amazing if you ask me." I let out a huge sigh of relief, only to
catch my breath again. I never even considered this before, it seemed
impossible to me; but from that moment on my goal was set. My then-sixth
grade mind couldn't comprehend the challenge before me, but for some
reason that night my mind kept echoing my father's words: "You have an
amazing opportunity ahead of you."
Now, as we face this journey ahead of us, I feel it is only fair and
proper for me to stand in for my father. Allow me to turn down the
monotonous talk radio of the world that is telling you you're not good
enough or that the challenge is too great. If you tune your ears to the
voice of your Heavenly Father, you will hear him whispering, "You have
an amazing opportunity ahead of you. You have your whole life ahead of
you; there is so much good yet to be done."
My dad never promised it would be easy, and he didn't say I'd never
fail, but he did say that he believed in me. We're heading out into a
world that isn't going to be easy, and I can't promise you you'll never
fail, but I can promise you that your Heavenly Father will be with you,
every step of the way, cheering you on.
Let not your success be measured by the people you please or the house
you own, but in the fact that every time you fall, you get back up. As
my father's words sparked in me an amazing journey, so I pray these
words from Mother Teresa spark in you the same:
- People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; forgive
them anyway.
- If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
be kind anyway.
- If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true
enemies; succeed anyway.
- What you spend years building someone could destroy overnight; build
anyway.
- If you find serenity and happiness, there may be jealousy; be happy
anyway.
- The good you do today people will often forget tomorrow; do good
anyway.
- Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give
the world the best you've got anyway.
- You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was
never between you and them anyway.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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