Graduation, Is Our Parenting Over?

Today graduation is a sign of achievement and change, but it doesn’t always mean that the learning is over.

On the outside, we see bright shiny faces of a student body with caps and gowns.  The inside is completely different.  Decisions for the future bring joyous and anxious thoughts.  Whether fear or excitement, things are definitely changing.  They feel all grown up, and often don’t realize that they still need our help.

Everything happened so quickly.  As they ate the Passover meal together, the disciples did not fully realize that their three years of training was arriving to completion.  After a blessing, Jesus took the bread and broke it and gave it to them and said, “Take it; this is My body.”  And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”  The cup was then passed around.

While they were eating, Jesus said that one of them will betray Him.  Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one Lord?”  Then Judas asked and Jesus replied, “You have said it.”  Then Judas left the upper room.  Jesus said to them, ”Tonight all of you will desert me.  For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”  Peter insisted that he would not fall away.  Jesus shared that he would deny knowing Christ three times before a rooster crows.

After Jesus was arrested in an olive grove called Gethsemane, all of His followers fled.  They were scared and forgot everything that Jesus taught them.  After three years of Jesus personally training them, they still failed.

Everything led up to the crucifixion.  Although this seemed like the end, it really was the beginning!  Jesus had taught them for three years, but after he left and they had ‘graduated’, he did not consider their training finished.  He didn’t leave them alone, and instead sent the Holy Spirit to continue to guide and teach them.

Our children might think they are all grown up once they have graduated and turned eighteen, but they still need us parents; possibly as much as ever before.  They still lack knowledge, wisdom and experience.  That is why our parenting isn’t finished.

We have to continue to be there for them, giving them guidance and picking them up when they fall.  We have to continue to pray for them, and make sure they know we love them.  We need to encourage them to continue praying and reading God’s word, so they will continue to gain wisdom and understanding.  And we need to let them know that we will always be there for them, and we will always love them, no matter what.