“Everyone here has the sense that right now is one of those moments when we are influencing the future.”
-Steve Jobs

With a million and one things to accomplish before Graduation Day 2012,
my heart had one prayer: “God, give me one moment where I know this has all been YOUR idea.” After putting in so many hours, writing my heart out,
and seemingly failing at test-taking (something I’ve never been good at),
examining personal strengths and weaknesses, listening to so many lying voices (in my head), and trying desperately to make my way through
a maze of conflicting desires and dreams, I wanted a moment of clarity. It came. In a stadium filled with over thirty thousand people,
gathered to celebrate their graduates, President Falwell led the graduates in the recitation of “The Pledge of the Graduate,” which states:

“As a member of the graduating class, and in the presence of those assembled witnesses and God, I express my gratitude to Liberty University
and promise to hold my degree so no loss will come to it.

I pledge to seek earnestly and faithfully to perpetuate this opportunity for other generations of young people, that our Lord’s work may never
lack for leaders of character and ability.

With whatever wisdom I possess and with reverence for the truth, I pledge the best of my life and loyalty to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to my country and to my alma mater. I affirm my determination to justify, through my own life and deeds, my inheritance from the past and to do all that I can to advance the cause of Jesus Christ.”

There it was. Forgoing “walking” because my sweet Brooke was graduating and I wanted first and foremost to be Mom. I couldn’t have been happier. After enduring so much with Brooke through the years, this was her moment, most of all. A college graduate. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her.

Except for the few minutes it took to stand and recite this pledge. Most of the graduates that day have their whole life in front of them. I have only half, if I am blessed with 50 more years. Somehow, age offers insights not given to the young.

With great sobriety and longing, I recited those words and vowed silently to use the remaining years of my life to advance the cause of God. I have absolutely no idea what or how or where that will be, but I know that Jesus knows. So many have asked, “What are you going to do with your degree? your studies?” I simply replied, “Time will tell.” Having decided to forgo licensure (due to time, money, and calling), I know one thing: I want to help women find freedom in Christ. IF I could do anything, I would travel the world, speak God’s Word anywhere and everywhere, and talk to women. Be a voice for the voiceless.

Do you need a moment? A moment to make a pledge to YOUR God about your future?

Somehow, standing in that stadium filled with God’s people from all over the world, made me smell heaven. As the Sounds of Liberty led us in worship, one by one, people stood. Lifted their hands. Raised their voices. The stadium swelled with the atmosphere of heaven. Oh, I can’t even begin to express the scene. It was a foreshadowing of eternity and quite honestly, I can’t wait.

When we finally stand before Jesus, our Lord and Savior, the One who gives us our gifts and talents, will HE say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”? In that sobering moment, two weeks ago, I felt a resurgence of empowering and a strong desire to hear him say those words to me.

In the end, no other voice will matter.