Well, what a day!

Matthew graduated.

and read these words, written by Anna Waring in 1850....

Father, I know that all my life
Is portioned out for me,
And the changes that are sure to come
I do not fear to see;
But I ask Thee for a present mind
Intent on pleasing Thee.

I would not have the restless will
That hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do
Or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child,
And guided where I go.

I ask Thee for the daily strength,
To none that ask denied,
And a mind to blend with outward life
While keeping at Thy side;
Content to fill a little space,
If Thou be glorified.

In a service which Thy will appoints
There are no bonds for me;
For my inmost heart is taught the truth
That makes Thy children free.
And a life of self renouncing love
Is a life of liberty.

While the graduation ceremony was going on, Joel was in Greensboro with his soccer team battling it out for the NC Division 1 State Championship.  They won.  Today was one day I really wanted a clone.

A few people wondered about us letting Joel miss the graduation ceremony to play in a soccer game.  But Matthew said it best, "High school graduation isn't that big a deal.  Everyone graduates from high school.  But not everyone gets a chance to play in a soccer state championship."  He was truly happy for his brother.  And I'm pretty sure no one was happier than he was to get the news (which was called in to my silent cell phone during the ceremony) that Joel's team had won.

I would say Matthew is one free young man, already living that life of self renouncing love, happy in his brother's achievement, even as we celebrated his milestone.

It was surely a day to make a mama proud and warm and happy on the inside.