While celebrating the Family Life and New Life graduations this past weekend I was reflecting on how important it is to celebrate recovery and the progress that we are making together in building happy families and healthy people. If our goal is Life Transformation, and it is our goal, then we occasionally need to take the take to have a party to celebrate the changes we are making.
Graduation is for the GRADUATE: I believe that the graduation ceremony should be a blessing to the graduate. They have worked so hard, sacrificed so much, and come so far that it is only fitting that we have a giant party to celebrate the progress. When you are in the midst of the battle, it is so easy to forget that their is a reward awaiting you. Especially in recovery, when there is no finish line, it’s a day by day battle. That’s why it’s so important to take the time to reward progress.
Graduation is for the TEAM: It was such a blessing to hear the testimonies of the families and individuals who have been blessed by the work of the Tacoma Rescue Mission. If I could magically transport all the people who had a part in the success of the Mission to a graduation I would do it! So many are missing out on the blessing of knowing that their work, resources, time and effort is bearing wonderful fruit of a transformed life.
Graduation is for Warrior still in Battle: I know that there are many people sitting at the graduation who are still working their program at Tyler Sq. or the New Life Program and they are gaining a picture of the future while they see their friends graduation. You could be up there one day! You could be celebrating completing something really special and starting a new life! I know it’s not easy, but don’t give up, imagine yourself standing on the podium accepting that trophy and knowing that you have made a HUGE step forward in your life.
It was so great to see the hundreds of people who took the time to celebrate with us this past Friday, I hope those of you who have not yet attended a graduation will make a point to attend one soon.
DC
