So I decided to give you guys my graduation speech since you guys probably won't be there. Here you go!! :)
Hi everyone. So there is only one proper way to start a speech: I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
I first wanted to say thank you to all of you for coming. Two of you came all the way from Hawaii, and the rest of you drove a great distance or took time off work to come. That really means a lot. But you guys have done a lot more than what you did today. You have all been there for me and I love all of you. You all hold a special place in my heart and I pray for you often. Mom and Dad, you’ve been there for me every step of the way, from crying on your bed at night thinking I’d never get done, to staying up till midnight encouraging a forever procrastinator. The greatest thing you have given me though, is showing me the Gospel and lighting the match to my relationship with Jesus. I’ve loved watching your strong relationship, even though I called it gross when I was little, and realizing that one day I want to have that relationship with my future husband. And if God doesn’t have a husband for me, your love for the Lord has really shown me that life as a single pringle for Jesus is awesome.
My siblings. Boy you guys sure have had to bear the brunt of everything. Noah and Luke, you will always be my Aragorn and Gimli. I know we get into fights...a lot, but I know that you guys will be and always have been there for me in a heartbeat. My sisters are literally my own fan club. You guys are constantly there, asking if there’s anything you can do, I can do, and when are we going to hang out next? There’s always a hug available and I love ya’ll.
My friends. Mellonamin. You guys sure have a lot of patience to put up with me. You’ve seriously been my shoulders to cry on and a joy to laugh with. Girls, you sure have been there in the broad subject of boys. Thank you for being there when Mr. Wickham walked out of my life and Mr. Darcy never made an apparent entrance. Your quiet listening and then speaking truth from God’s word have really blessed my heart. I’ve loved studying the Bible together, working, and playing together. The few brave guys in my life. I sure have messed up a lot. Thank you for not making it awkward and just being regular friends. There were some weird moments, but mostly it’s just been good, solid friendships. I am so thankful for your Godly examples and wisdom.
Thank you extended family for being there from sitting with my mom through 40 hours of labor, to babysitting, teaching, and Godly counsel and love. Thank you cousins for giving me a fiery imagination. Turning me into a geek. Or nerd. Whatever you like. Thank you for including me in games even though I was the only girl.
I don’t want to drag out the thank yous, but I want you all to know that I love each and every one of you and think of you often.
I wanted to talk a little about perseverance. Every day on planet Earth requires perseverance. All through my high school career people having been telling me, “Persevere!” “You can do it!” “Read Philippians 4:13!” But it’s honestly really hard to hear one thing, and put it into motion.
2005 was the hardest year of my life because Mama, Papa, and Grandfather all passed away. I didn’t know the Lord at this time of my life and it really dragged me under. Nothing seemed real, I was SURE that Mama and Papa were going to walk through the door one day, I jumped if I saw someone wearing Papa’s shirt. It didn’t compute to my seven year old mind. Yesterday was the 11th anniversary of Mama’s death. It’s still hard, but I know that they are so proud right now and love me. Plus they’re in the best place ever, so they’re probably having a party right now. As tough as that year was, I think that 2015 might have been a close second or tie. This past year God really spoke to me what it really means to persevere. He drew me closer to Himself. This graduation is all because of His love and mercy. This isn’t a “What Gabrielle has done,” But “Just look at what God has done!” Satan just loves to throw bricks. He’s like, “Surprise! You’ve got a surgery in September and Depression! What is God going to do about that?” What do you do in those moments? Me? Oh I messed up. I fell away from the Lord a bit during that time. I was in a dark place. I curled into myself and lashed out at others while keeping my true emotions and pains hidden. At this point I started to listen to some popular Christian music. I didn’t really hear the words. I felt all alone. And if you listen to most Christian music today, you’ll know that a lot can put too much emphasis in the beat then lyrics. One day I stumbled onto a Skillet song. I'm at war with the world and they
Try to pull me into the dark
I struggle to find my faith
As I'm slippin' from your arms
It's getting harder to stay awake
And my strength is fading fast
You breathe into me at last
Slap. Wake up call! One of my favorite quotes is this, ““I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Perseverance is not giving up. It is pressing on towards a goal. For a Christian, it is following my Lord and Savior. Sometimes it gets hard. I feel alone. So I try to “become alone.” I shirk my relationship with the Lord and dwell in human comforts. But see, you’re never alone. You don’t have to persevere on your home. Sure, life is hard. But one person will never leave you. Or forsake you.
Guys, coasting on your own doesn’t work. A friend reminded me of that the other day and that really hit home. But it honestly doesn’t. So what does God want you to do when the devil’s got you by the throat, and every step feels like you’re carrying dead weight? Give it to the Lord. It took me too long to really sit down and give it to God. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19. He really is there. God has time for you. He is your Father, and loves you deeply.
I love you all and again thank you for coming.
