Within our extended family there have been two graduations. Our grandson “graduated” from preschool. Two nieces graduated from High School. Along with so many others, they are each ready to embark on the next phase of their lives. Before and after.

We all of us have our before and after in the dance that is our life. Before childhood/after childhood; before High School/ after High School; before University/ after University/ before marriage/ after marriage/ before children/ after children…and it goes on and on…before retirement/ after retirement. Before death…

It got me to thinking…those are pretty concise markers. What is between before and after? Today.

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:12-15, Psalm 95:7-8.

There are markers in this life that we all live through and some are scarier than others. Leaving school behind and realizing the course of your life is yours with all it’s excitement and consequences. In the exuberance of youth all is possible. It’s good to remember God’s timely advice: Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 91:12. Numbering our days is something we grasp better as we grow older and realize just how fleeting our days are and how quickly they race by never slowing.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber or sleep. The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121.

As parents we can’t watch over our kids as we could when they were small; but the Lord does. Before and after…when we barely knew God and His love…and after when we entered into a personal relationship with Him and experience firsthand the blessing of His love for us. I remember so many questions when I graduated from High School…what now? What now? Live your life fully and know that God is right there with you. Last night as I was contemplating decisions in my own life He nudged me with the thought whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might (Ecclesiastes 9:10)…and the very end of Ecclesiastes…Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. Ecclesiastes 9:13.

Today when you hear His voice…do not harden your hearts…but begin your walk with Him. For those on the brink of their lives after schooling, there is no greater friend or source of comfort, hope, wisdom than the Lord who watches over your life with love. Live your life fully but live with Him beside you.