Graduation.

A Pinning Ceremony rather.

I had a friend encourage me to read 2 Chronicles 20 in light of my graduation.  The story is about King Jehoshaphat, who was king of Judah at that time.  He is given word that his country is about to be attacked by a powerful, invading army.  Jehoshaphat declares that no matter what happens - calamity, judgment, plague, famine - that "we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us." 

The Lord saw Jehoshaphat’s faith and spoke through one of the Levites, who declared, “Do not be afraid of discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”  God protects the people of Judah and the invading army ends up killing each other.

I know it may sound silly to compare this battle to nurse practitioner school, but there have been days when I felt like I was on the front lines against an invading army…

I have felt overwhelmed as I approach a diaphoretic, short of breath patient walking into the office.  As the patient is doubled-over in pain, he has proven to bring peace during critical times.

I have stood by patients who hear the new diagnosis of late stage cancer and have watched him give them hope.

I have driven home after a busy day at clinical to head home to a full evening of studying with a terrible attitude and have felt him transform my heart to one of gratitude.

God has been faithful.  He made it clear that the battle was his and I was to be obedient.  I stood firm and tried to trust him without fear.  I have done nothing in comparison to how he has worked.  I get to celebrate not just because of a program ending, but because God has been victorious!

Special thank you’s to:

Mom and Dad Raber, Mom and Dad Rohrer, Nan and Pap, Alyssa, Olyvia, and Janzen, who all drove to TN from PA for the weekend to be at the ceremony.  What a far trip!!!

Josh, “Thank you” is not enough.  He has done so much.