He’s always been a tenacious guy. Determined. Focused. When he wants something, you know it. And he goes after it. He’s learning that just wanting something…even working really hard at something…does not guarantee he’ll get it. Life lesson #1,081,993.

But he wanted his college degree. And he’ll get it. This weekend.

The end of 17 years of formal education. Formal may be a loose term since the majority of his education came on our living room sofa. He wasn’t always focused back then…at least, not on his education. I guess he was more focused on how to get out of writing a paragraph, or completing a page of multiplication problems, or learning his list of Spanish verbs.

But somewhere along the line, he fell in love with learning. Learning about film and music and history. Learning about culture and philosophy and literature. Honing his writing and project management skills. Developing his knack with people of all ages and backgrounds. (I always said he could make friends with a rock.) Excelling in work ethic and time management. He’s quite a fine young man.

Of course, I’m very proud of him. He has accomplished many things in his young life. But my proudest moment won’t be watching him cross the platform on the 50-yard-line at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday afternoon, receiving his diploma from Iowa State, though I will add it to the list.

My proudest moments are the middle-of-night phone calls and text messages when he asks his parents for advice, and really means it…when he knows he’s hit the wall and can’t go on in his own strength, calling out for help from a sometime silent Savior…when he admits he’s as low as he can get, and yet still pushes on, climbing that cliff, scaling the next hill, always searching for the willow tree of hope.

Life teaches many lessons…some easier than others. I’m thankful for God’s protection and provision over us but life happens…learning to navigate through grief, disappointment, poor decisions, mistakes and setbacks…those are my proudest moments. When you’ve done everything you know to do, and it isn’t enough. When you realize that working hard and playing by the rules doesn’t always get you what you want. But you do the right thing anyway. When your head bows and shoulders slump and tears fall – but you still know God is in control. When you pray and pray, but never hear a whisper, let alone a voice saying “go here…do this.” Yet, still continue to trust. and hope. and believe.

Graduating from college is a tremendous accomplishment. He has worked so hard for this day. But I know greater things are on the horizon – maybe further down the road than we can see with the naked eye – but he’s ready. I’m excited to see the adventure he chooses and I have peace. He’s got this.

photo cred: David McGarvey