This Saturday, Harding University will host its commencement exercises. Better known as “graduation weekend,” family and friends will flood the campus to celebrate the achievements of the students who have spent four or more years of their lives working toward a degree in their selected field of study.
Since I am at Pepperdine this week, I will not be there to celebrate with them, but I want to recognize several who are graduating and leave you with a thought for reflection.
IRSM’s former summer intern, Katie Lynn Finch, and other students who have been a part of local IRSM studies will be among those walking across the stage. Congrats to Katie Lynn, Megan Albers, Leahndrea Landrum, Elizabeth O’Briant, and Rosa Perez. Congratulations also to Debora Rodrigo de Racancoj, a blog contributor and friend, who will be defending her dissertation in Spain next week, and graduating with her doctorate, before returning “home” to Searcy, where her husband is a student.
Each of these young women is stepping into their next stage in life: marriage, grad school or other exciting adventures God has presented for them. As exciting as the next step is, there is a bittersweet moment in saying goodbye to what has been. Every one of these girls would affirm that they will look back on their college years with fond memories and a bit of nostalgia.
None is the same person as the freshman who first walked onto campus—and that’s a good thing! The community that was established among fellow students and friends brought about a remarkable transformation that leaves lives forever touched and changed.
Whether your fellow students on a college campus or students of the Word together in a Ladies Bible class, we are transformed by our time spent in community.
If you have not had the blessing of being in a group like that, don’t delay! We will give some specific tips and ideas for how to start a Small Group in a mini-series starting on Tuesday.
Let’s join in this transformation together, in community, deepening our relationships with God and one another.
Congratulations, ladies!