From Kindergarten to Graduation: A Story of God’s Faithfulness

Photo by MD Duran on Unsplash; Edited in Canva

School wrapped up here this week, and I had the opportunity to be part of our Christian School’s first 8th grade graduation by giving the benediction prayer.

This first graduation was special not just because it was our first one, but because of the young lady who graduated.

I have known her for her entire educational career. I came to this church in May 2018, which happened to coincide with the Christian School’s first year being open.

We started the school with a plan to begin with kindergarten and then add the next grade level each year as the original students grew older.

Five students took a chance on us and our school during that first year. I still call them “The Faithful Five.” Over the years, for many different reasons, only one remained to graduate this week. Some families moved away. Others transferred to different schools.

But she made it all the way.

Over the years, I had the opportunity to get to know her fairly well, coach her during her first basketball season, and get to know her family too.

Not only is she an excellent student and role model for the younger students, but she is also a great young lady—humble, motivated, and hardworking.

But my favorite memory goes all the way back to kindergarten.

On my third day on the job, the lead teacher brought the Faithful Five down to my office to introduce me to the students. What happened next became far more than an introduction when one of the other girls announced that she wanted to pray for me as I started my new role at the church.

I was immediately sold on the school, the teacher, and the students.

Now fast forward to Wednesday, nearly eight years later, as I stood praying over the only graduate from that original class.

What a special full-circle moment.

Philippians 1:3–6 says:

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

There is no doubt how much I have enjoyed knowing this young lady and supporting her family and our school over the years. I truly count it a joy to have known her and to have been part of the school almost from the very beginning.

This week reminded me that one of the greatest blessings of following Jesus is getting to watch God continue the work He starts in people’s lives, and He is building something bigger than we can see.

Every interaction with people matters. Every act of encouragement matters. Every investment in others matters.

God is still faithfully carrying His work forward in all of us, one step at a time.

Anyway, I was just thinking…