There is something sacred about life celebrations. To underline and commemorate a life accomplishment or joy gives it weight, adds importance. Celebrations live in the hearts, minds, souls of the one celebrated for a lifetime and gives hope and courage when hard times come.
Last weekend, some of our family was able to travel up to bonnie Scotland to watch our son Joel receive his Doctoral Degree in theology. To wear the robes, to walk the stage, to be bopped, (a St Andrews tradition) to be honored by the wise and seasoned professors surrounding his studies, is an accomplishment worth lots of celebration.
Part of the joy was talking with his friends and professors, eating feasts of delicious food together, chatting and laughing about the “old times,” when interest in theology developed around our dinner table discussions, and just life. Reminiscing about all the moments of the journey and just being happy together was a highlight for this mama. I just love being with all and any of my children together.
I am so very proud of wonderful Joel. I can hardly believe he has his doctorate. I think any great task or accomplishment in life isn’t just about finishing it, but it is about the character that grows inside when a person has to be self-disciplined, self-motivated, diligent to work hard when no one is around to prompt such work. Learning to strain in the virtues of courage, endurance, confidence when the tough seasons come and whisper, “You will never finish this!”
And yet, to keep going with fortitude is part of the prize. What a joy it has been in retrospect to see how consistently Joel manifested these attributes through the years of study. In reality, like Jesus, he has grown in wisdom, stature, in favor with God and man. I am so honored to celebrate him and to know him as one of the best men I have ever known. Congratulations my wonderful Joel.