By the time you read this column, Joanna and I will have attended two family commencement exercises, with one to go. First comes George W. Truett Theological Seminary, where my brother, Martin, is receiving his doctorate. Then there’s Baylor University, where our youngest daughter, Molly, is earning her bachelor’s degree. And finally, Reformed Theological Seminary will bestow a master’s degree upon our son-in-law, Aaron.
We’ll be humming “Pomp and Circumstance” for weeks. And we’ll probably do so much sitting, our fannies will be flat for, well, a long time.
Still, that’s a small price to pay for celebrating so much newly acquired knowledge in our family.
I’m thrilled for our guys who are in the process of receiving graduate diplomas this spring. Martin is in the middle of his career, and he has labored long and hard to earn his Doctor of Ministry degree. The skills he developed and the knowledge he acquired have helped him become a stronger leader of his church. Aaron is just embarking on his ministry. His Master of Divinity degree will serve him well when he and Lindsay come alongside a congregation.
When I think about Molly, I’m a proud daddy who’s glad, sad and excited. She’s had a grand time earning her Bachelor of Arts degree. In fact, she’s developed and matured in every way during her four years at Baylor—spiritually, academically, socially, physically and emotionally. So, I’m thrilled about her achievements even as I share her bittersweet grief to see this wondrous time in her life come to an end. And yet I realize this is more like a beginning, as she starts working on a graduate degree at TCU in the fall and explores her ever-deepening passion for literature.
(Some fathers live vicariously through their children’s athletic exploits. I’ve been reveling in Molly’s immersion in great books.)
As Jo and I head toward all these commencement exercises, I’m hoping against hope the speakers will get to the point. Although I’ve never been asked to address a gathering of graduates, if I did, I wish I’d have the sense to be brief and focused. I’d want to say three things:
• Count your blessings. Only a tiny fraction of the world’s population ever gets to attend college. Whatever happens in your life, you have been blessed. So, no whining.
• Don’t get too big for your britches. No matter how smart you are, acquisition of knowledge isn’t sufficient. You need wisdom—the ability to apply that knowledge. God, and only God, is the provider of true wisdom. Lean on God, always.
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• Live your life for others. Your college degree will multiply your earning power many times over. If that is your goal, yours will be a shallow, craven, spiritually impoverished existence. Use your new knowledge, experience and contacts to benefit others. The true measure of an education is the degree to which it ennobles you and blesses others.
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