Landmark Baptist

An article I had written years ago. Since I have received a couple announcements from some of my former members, I thought I'd share this with them. Feel free to share it with your seniors.WIS

High School Graduation
So now you're all grown up! Many are the young people who "can't wait to leave home". Your parents have kept you under their domain of hard rules long enough! What a surprise awaits you in the next chapter of your life. This step you now take from "dependent" to "independent" is the single most drastic change that will take place in your physical and emotional life.
Up to now, mom and dad have always been there to help you out, to lend a hand in time of need. They have provided the advice (sometimes unwanted) to help guide you through difficult decisions. They have provided you with free room and board, free meals, free toothpaste, soap, and other simple little things. Clothing to fit your fancy has been provided and laundered regularly at no cost. Most have even provided you with free transportation, either their car or your own.
When you go off into the world to make your mark, you'll find more than a few "hard-knocks". At the time, they will seem much harder than they are. The reason they seem harder is because, up until now, mom and dad have been taking them for you. And when you have children of your own, you'll do the same for them. So don't get discouraged and never give up. It's too late now for us parents to list a bunch of "do's and don'ts". We parents have spent eighteen years trying to prepare you to make this one giant step. Once you embark into adulthood, there is no turning back. Oh, a few will try, but they will never make it. And most really don't want to turn back. All of your childhood days of growing up are now just memories.
As you go through life you will find two distinct classes of people. One will go out of his way to help you, to give guiding directions that he learned the hard way, by experience. Pay close attention to these people, especially the elders. They have learned the shortcuts to make and the pitfalls to avoid. By all means, seek them out in difficult times.
The others are plain nasty in varying degrees. At times, they will seem to be in the majority, and they will appear to be your friends. But they are the people who make life disagreeable and miserable for themselves as well as others. They will kick you when you're down. They will betray you when you need them most. They will use you for their personal advantage and blame you when they go wrong. In this class, you will find the inconsiderate stranger and the vulture eager to take advantage of your youthful gullibility, helplessness, and lack of experience.
As much as possible, ignore this second group. By no means let them make you despondent, discouraged, bitter, or cynical. Remember, to no one is worth getting angry at. Anger and resentment are deadly poisons to the brain and spiritual development-keep your cool!
As you depart the family nest, surely you will fall-some more than others. Always have the courage to get up. It won't always be easy, but as long as you are trying, someone will come along and help you. The adult world doesn't have much sympathy for a "quitter". Forget your mistakes, let them be a learning process, press on toward the goals and achievements of the future.
Finally, let me give you a piece of advice about leaving home-or leaving one job for another. If you forget all instruction, remember this: "NEVER SLAM THE DOOR ON YOUR WAY OUT". That is to say; "never leave angry". Slammed doors are hard to get back open. Never leave with rash threats about "never coming back". Mom and dad have invested many long years in your upbringing. They love you, but they are human. All they ask in return for their investment is LOVE.
If you leave town, keep in touch. Moms tend to worry a lot (dads do too, but they try not to show it). If you need help, don't be ashamed to ask. You will find that mom and dad are really the best and most dependable friends you'll ever have (outside of Jesus Christ). Over the next few short years, mom and dad will become much wiser than all the previous years you've ever known them.
Mom and dad, the time has come. They must try their wings. You can't fly for them, but you can be there to help them up and give them another boost. Don't try to hold on to them. They are now ready to challenge the world.
Wearthy I. Shank