Baccalaureate

Acts 1:14a “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer…"

June, time for celebrations! First on the agenda, graduation. This year, the student I’ve been assigned to aide, graduates with his class after four years of high school as a deaf student. With only 20% hearing and cerebral palsey issues, he reads lips and excels as a leader in his classroom. He TA’d in economics, and this last semester, acted in his drama class!  Yes, I am proud of him. 

So, this next week I’ll be helping him navigate all the different events scheduled to celebrate this accomplishment and serving at the graduation ceremony myself, which I am excited about.

There are a lot of events!              

Prom

Finals

Award Banquets

Senior meetings

Senior dedication video

Yearbooks

Grade checks

Final projects

Pick up Cap and Gown

Sunset in the Quad, and talent show

Senior Memories Nite

Senior Breakfast

Graduation practice

Disneyland

Final practice and panoramic picture

Graduation

All-night Party. 

Do you see anything missing?

I do.

bac·ca·lau·re·ate

noun

1.a religious service held at an educational institution, usually on the Sunday before commencement day.

It’s not a part of the activities anymore.

We literally send them off without a prayer, a public one, that is. I’m assuming it’s no longer “politically correct.” 

When Christ ascended into the Heavens, his last days were filled with many “activities” with his apostles. He was preparing them for their own “graduation” of sorts, leaving them with a “diploma” of the Holy Spirit. They had the power of knowledge through this gift, a promise that God’s Commencement was internal through the Spirit.  They returned to the upper room, and they devoted themselves to prayer. (Read the book of Acts to see how their “college years” went). 

The class song at my school is by Imagine Dragons,

 It’s Time.  Here’s the first stanza: 

So this is what you meant

When you said that you were spent

And now it's time to build from the bottom of the pit

Right to the top

Don't hold back

Packing my bags and giving the academy a rain check.

It is time.

Time to pray.         

Father God, I pray for the 2013 high school graduating class.  I pray for my own school where you placed me these last 4 years, my fellow teachers and administrators. I pray for my Special Ed students, and the student I worked with and their families. What I ask Lord, is for your grace in their life. I ask for your protection, your leading, your guidance and that the Holy Spirit, the Great Counselor, be an integral part of these young men and women, who soon will embark upon a world that refuses more and more to acknowledge You. Help those who know You to stand strong in their faith and to seek Your wisdom in the many decisions soon pressing upon their lives. Go with those Lord who choose to serve this country in the military.   Thank you for the opportunity to serve You in my job.  Amen