You CAN take it with you.

I recently had the opportunity to speak at one of the meetings held in conjunction with High School Graduation. It was Baccalaureate. This is a multi denominational religious meeting held to honor the graduates the Sunday before graduation.

Cycle Guy had suggested that I talk about prayer and the importance of having a good relationship with Heavenly Father. Especially as these kids try to make their way into the world.

This is the talk (speech?) I gave: (don't worry, it's short)

Change… it’s what you make it. That is the theme today. You are all about to experience some big changes in your lives. You have 2 more days of finals. Some graduation practices and then graduation. But what then? Some of you are off to college, maybe a university far far away, maybe a community college closer to home. Some of you are going on missions for your church, some will go directly into the world of the working man. Whatever you do a week from today, it will be an adventure and it will be your adventure. Each of you is unique and each adventure will be unique.

As you embark on this exciting and scary time in your life, there are a few things I recommend you take with you. Take your pillow, it’s familiar and it’s comfortable and it’s yours. Take some of your mother’s laundry detergent. Your nose has the best memory of all your senses and it’s good to remember home. But the most important thing you can take with you is your relationship with God. Your Father in Heaven loves you and has a unique plan for each one of you. There is only one way for you to understand this plan and that is through prayer. Daily meaningful prayer.

Matthew taught in the New Testament: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

I recently heard a man share an interesting experience. He said:

When I was a young man in high school, one of my passions was football. During one play against our biggest rival, I had an experience that has helped me over the years. We were on defense. I knew my assigned opponent, and as the play unfolded, he moved to my right into the line of scrimmage. There was a lot of noise from players and fans. I reacted as the coach had taught us and followed my man into the line, not knowing if he had the ball. To my surprise, I felt the ball partially in my hands. I gave it a tug, but my opponent didn’t let go. As we tugged back and forth, amid all the noise I heard a voice yelling, “Packer, tackle him!” That was enough to bring me to my senses, so I dropped him on the spot.

I have wondered how I heard that voice above all the other noise. I had become acquainted with the voice of the coach during the practices, and I had learned to trust it. I knew that what he taught worked.

It is the same with you and your relationship with God and the Savior Jesus Christ. You must pray always, in the good times as well as the bad. Share your life with Heavenly Father, Listen for His voice and read His scriptures. You will learn to recognize His voice over the noise of the crowd and be able to follow His direction.

In James 1:5 in the New Testament we are taught: If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him.

I testify to you that I know this is true. I have experienced the Lord’s hand in my life and I know that he is there for me and He will be there for you as you include him in this adventure.