Tuum est! — It is yours! Choose wisely

     

Melissa, mom Krista and recent graduate Brayden Eagles.

     Recently, I had the privilege of watching my youngest grandson, Brayden Nicholas, receive the Degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology, from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. 

     The graduation ceremony was held at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, a very stunning concert hall. Adding to the excitement of the big day was the added distinction of it occurring at a historic milestone for the university. 

     Exactly 100 years ago, UBC held its first Congregation Ceremony at which it granted degrees to the first 40 graduates, celebrating with their families at the Hotel Vancouver in spring of 1916. It has grown from those 40 inaugural graduates to over 310,000 alumni, from a student body of less than 400 to one that now exceeds 60,000. Close to 13,000 students will become the Class of 2016.  

     Echoing Chancellor Lindsay Gordon's challenging remarks to the graduates — "May you remain curious, open-minded and flexible as the journey unfolds, ensuring that you play your part in helping to build a better community, understanding the obligations that we make to one another in our civilized society, to our neighbours and also to strangers from afar."  

     President Martha C. Piper urged the now alumni to become involved with their society, turning their hard-earned knowledge and expertise to good use. Urging them to remember their motto, Tuum est!  It is yours!  

     Time will reveal the direction and destiny of Brayden and those several hundred classmates! Their career choices may take an entirely new direction than what they may now be contemplating. 

    Throughout the weekend Brayden and I spent some quality times, albeit brief, sharing interesting and insightful conversations. 

     

Brayden with Grandma Eagles.

     This Grandma was impressed and pleased with Brayden's maturing outlook on life; forming his own opinions and conclusions on important life issues; questioning and searching for his own answers — not necessarily accepting the status quo. 

     


     I'm sure, during his years of study thus far, the thoughts and writings of many, have broadened his perspective on life, as he seeks his own approach and answers to life. 

     My interest was immediately peaked when he mentioned Ben Carson, one of the world's foremost pediatric neurosurgeons at John Hopkins University Medical School. Finding the link (thanks to Brayden) and reading Dr. Carson's astounding accomplishments, I soon realized the "why" of Brayden's admiration of him. 

     Called, "the man with gifted hands for his surgical skill," Dr. Carson is a leading scholar and scientist who has inspired millions. He is also a creationist who is not afraid of openly voicing his conclusions to audiences the world over. 

     His openness about creation may inspire millions as well. After reviewing in detail the evidence for design in nature, Dr. Carson concluded, "I just don't have enough faith to believe that the living world happened by evolutionary processes." 

     He added that 150 years after Darwin, there is no evidence for evolution.  

     

Proud father and son, Roger and Brayden.

     Someone once made the statement that "what you are when you are 20, you will probably be for the rest of your life." 

     I heard of a sign on a dirt road in the outback of Australia that says, "Choose your rut carefully; you will be in it for the next 500 miles." It's a great description of life and the importance of choosing the right path while we are young. 

     When we are older, we have already formed behaviours, values and expectations, often creating some deep ruts. 

     

     So, my words of wisdom to Brayden and all graduates of 2016 are — choose God's way while you are young. As you seek God's agenda, anticipating all that He will do in your life, you will not have a more exciting and fulfilling life. After all, He already has a unique plan all laid out — just for you!  

     He says in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."      

     "Every man is a miracle! Hidden deep within his bosom is something special waiting to surface and grow into a great work. Honour a man for what is hidden within, for once discovered, that he will become."  

 — Unknown 

— beulah