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Good evening. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Kevin Lockwood and I am (among other things) the science teacher for the 8th grade class.
If that alone were my only connection to these students, I don’t know if I’d feel qualified to deliver this commencement address, however, that is not the case.
Over the past three years, I’ve been blessed to interact with these students in a variety of ways. Aside from teaching them science this year, I’ve also had the wonderful privilege of being their teacher in 6th grade for math and reading, coaching many of them in track and cross country, and hanging out with them on numerous field trips and school activities.
Despite the various ways I’ve been involved with this class, I have to say that this year has been the most enjoyable for me. Not only have I been able to get to know the students on a deeper level, but I’ve also been able to help prepare them for their transition from squirrelly middle schoolers into responsible, mature high school students. While I’ve felt blessed to have this role in their lives, it hasn’t always been easy. In fact, this year I’ve had the privilege of being voted the dress code nazi of the middle school, I’ve enjoyed many days of quality silent time with students long after the bell has rung, and I even had students encourage me by saying kind things like, “Mr. Lockwood, you were like my favorite teacher…in 6th grade”. Although it’s been a lot of work this year, every single student has risen to the standard of excellence that I set out before them…and I’m extremely proud.
More than just being responsible and well behaved, these students are special because they each posses unique, God-given talents and gifts. For some it’s their maturity, for some their passion, for some their abilities, and for some their relationship with Christ. But above all these things, each one of these students are special to me because they genuinely care.
To illustrate this point, I wanted to tell you about something that happened back in 6th grade. Throughout the year, my wife and I had been progressing through stacks of paperwork and numerous appointments in order to adopt our first child from overseas. Once the students heard about what we were doing, many of them began to get involved by praying for us, coming to fundraisers and asking for continuous updates. Finally, towards the end of the year, my wife and I got the call that it was time to leave for the country of Kazakhstan where we would receive our little girl.
I didn’t know how the student’s would take the news that I was “abandoning” them for the last month of school, but to my shock, they all got together and threw a surprise baby shower for me; they brought food, decorated Mr. Haserot’s room, signed cards and presented gifts for my daughter. Even after we left for our journey, many students followed our trip on the internet and sent encouraging e-mails to us. This act of kindness that they demonstrated is something that still sticks with me to this day. In fact, many of these students continue to ask about our daughter and about the next child we’re in the process of adopting right now.
It’s reasons like this that every parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, relative and friend should be proud of their graduate tonight. After watching how these students have been trained, encouraged, nurtured and challenged during their time here at Bradshaw, I can boldly say that each of them has enormous personal and spiritual potential to affect their world in mighty ways.
To the graduates…
Graduates, as I look at you tonight, I want you to know that I see each of you as confident, maturing young adults who are ready to take on high school and the world. You’ve come a long way since your first days in middle school when you were still getting used to bell schedules, various teacher expectations, and even dressing out for PE. Now, you’ve successfully made it to the finish and I know you are ready to face all the new challenges ahead.
Before we officially pronounce you as graduated, I wanted to take a minute and leave you with a few thoughts about the journey God has set before you.
First, I want to encourage you to embrace the future with anticipation! So often we hear people say that the teenage years are the best years of our life, but I want to say to you that I disagree. While it may be true that life can get more stressful as you get older, I firmly believe that if you continue to keep God at the center of your life and place your trust in him, He will bless you with an unfathomable sense of peace and contentment. Now that doesn’t mean you won’t still have to face challenges, but through those challenges, you can be confident that God has a plan for you and knows what he’s doing.
Thirteen years ago, I sat where you’re sitting right now, unsure of what it would be like to grow up. Sure, I was excited to graduate, but I was also a bit scared and uncertain of what the future would be like. Now, looking back on it, I want to share a secret with you; being an adult is the greatest! Look forward to adulthood and remember to ask the Lord for guidance as you begin to make the decisions that will shape the life God has in store for you.
The second thought I want to give you tonight is that you should evaluate everything you hear. As you begin heading out into the world, you’re certain to come across lots of varying theories, beliefs and supposed truths. These views will come at you from all sorts of respectable sources; printed media, movies/television, teachers, professors, and sometimes even from religious organizations. While none of these sources should be feared or avoided, it is vitally important that you learn to evaluate the viewpoints they present, even when they’re presented as “truth”.
Today I challenge you to know what you believe and why; don’t just trust in something because it’s the popular view point, but compare it to the scriptures; pray about it and seek God’s wisdom so you can know what is true, moral and pleasing to your Father in heaven.
Most of you have probably memorized Romans 12:2 where Paul tells us to not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but to test what God’s will is. I’d like to share this verse with you once more, but this time from the message paraphrase:
“Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking! Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, and develops well-formed maturity in you.”
Finally, I want to encourage you tonight to be conscious of the person you’re becoming. So often, the chaos of adolescence can leave many people your age grasping for an identity. Young adults (and even many grown adults) try desperately to establish their identity through their appearance, attitude, activities and friends but deep inside, they don’t know who they really are and why.
Today I hope that you begin to think about the person God has made you to be. Focus on what God-given qualities and characteristics you have, and then work to develop those. Don’t be afraid of others seeing the real you!
Just for a moment, stop and think of all the ways people try to make themselves appear. You’ve got the jocks, the preps, the punks, the hics and even the emo kids, to name a few. The funny thing is that in our attempt to be recognized, we try desperately to look like everyone else! As you search for who you are, don’t be afraid of being unique; God made you that way for a reason, and he wants you to be recognized for who you really are on the inside. And if you don’t know what it looks like to just be yourself, think of our friend, and former classmate Anna Cowan.
Now don’t get me wrong; developing into the person God want’s you to become isn’t easy. Not only do you have to fight the urge to compromise, but you also have to continuously pay attention to the thoughts you have, the words you say, and the way you act because these things will eventually effect the way others see you. In conclusion, remember this quote by Frank Outlaw:
Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.
8th Grade Class of 2007, I am so proud of each you and I know God has amazing plans for your lives. You have been able to touch my heart and make me laugh uncontrollably at the same time. I will be praying for every one of you as you begin your journey toward adulthood. Congratulations!
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