Since the day we brought John Turner home from the hospital in March of 2004, he has always had fans in his corner. Our church, our neighborhood, our school, Terri’s family, her first husband Roger… it has always amazed us. Nearly all our neighbors once went to the ballpark to watch John play little league baseball. We took up a whole section of the stands and cheered loudly.
It was no different this week for his high school graduation. Terri, her husband Daniel and many from his extended family, Roger, John’s brother Nick and sisters Blake and Lisa, his best friend Isaiah, his favorite waitress at the local Waffle House…. and of course, we were there. Susan fought back tears most of the evening. We are all so proud. This fall John has decided to wrestle at the junior college in Iowa we recently visited. So many of you have prayed for John over the years and we ask that you continue… as life tends not to get easier.
It was a beautiful ceremony at the football stadium in Foley, Alabama as around 350 students reached an important milestone. Two brief speeches were given by the president and vice president of the senior class. The vice president was of Hispanic descent and closed his talk with a beautiful prayer, praising God and asking Jesus to direct all his classmates into the Father’s purposes. The full stadium, made up of black, white, Hispanic, and Asian citizens said ‘Amen’ at the close.
God only knows the faith of each individual, but the entire evening I felt He was being honored. When the graduates tossed their caps into the air and the music played, it seemed as if everyone was proud of everyone. On the field, differences of skin color or social status did not matter, all were hugging, shaking hands, and celebrating the moment. I know there is no perfect high school or perfect town, but it just seemed the prayer of the young vice president set a tone. We need God in our midst.
Jesus, the hope of the world, lives in the hearts of those who believe in Him and receive Him as Lord and Savior. He is the hope of glory… and He is in our midst.
“God’s plan is to make known His secret to His people, this rich and glorious secret He has for all peoples. And the secret is that Christ is in you, which means that you will share in the glory of God.” Colossians 1:27 (Good News Translation)