Today my son brought home his graduation cap, gown, stole, tassels, and honor cords. He and the other 600-plus seniors had their graduation rehearsal yesterday. The high school administrators provided specific instructions, and the students did a walk-through in hopes everything will go smoothly tomorrow. My 'almost graduate' tried on his new outfit when he returned home, which confirmed the end and the beginning.
Since the gown and stole were folded and packaged in plastic, they required some ironing. Usually, I would use a steamer out of convenience, but I decided to use my iron this time. I pulled out the squeaky legs of the ironing board and the antiquated iron I received as a wedding gift 21 years ago and pressed the black gown until the wrinkles disappeared. It was so satisfying to see the creases fade away. I enjoyed the disappearing act so much that I went through my closet and my daughter's closet to see if there were more crinkled clothes to iron. Even though it was time-consuming, it was gratifying.
It reminded me of one of the many conversations with my son about graduation and college. He shared how he was looking forward to a fresh start. All the wrinkles of the past four years of high school were ironing out, as new beginnings are weaving in. He experienced a few extra creases his senior year that tested my parenting meter, but thankfully we overcame them together. Overall, nothing to be embarrassed by; actually, it all built his character in a better way, and I couldn't be prouder of him. He is ending successfully academically, athletically, and socially and his relationship with our Savior has grown more intimate, which is the cherry on top.
You don't have to have a significant milestone like graduation to have new beginnings. Your new beginnings can commence right now. If you have setbacks in your life, take them as setups for something better. God will iron out all the wrinkles and give you a fresh start.
"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"
~2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
"“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
~Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
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