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Topic: Graduation (08/30/04)
TITLE: GRADUATION: PAST & PRESENT By Anthony David 09/04/04 |
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Thanking the Almighty God for that day, I enjoyed the fellowship of my near and dear ones who had come to share my joy with me.
The graduation ceremony was clearly the grandest for the institution. The entire faculty gathered in their suits, silk sarees and donned their caps and masks. Something they do only once in a year, on Graduation day.
The Final year students serenade the graduates of the year. They all wear white and carry two long and thick chains made up of millions of jasmine flowers. This fragrant chain is held on the shoulders of these students who form two long chains. From amidst them, the graduating class comes out in twos. All the boys, we were wearing full suits, (for most of us quite difficult as it was hot and we weren’t used to wearing them). The girls were resplendent in their grandest sarees. All of us wore the graduation gowns and caps.
As I stood with my friends capped and gowned and gazed at the fully packed hall, I felt a sense of satisfaction. “At last”, I thought, “I have achieved something” But immediately I realized the huge debt of gratitude I owe. To God, who had been a Father to me and provided for all my needs. To my widowed mother who sacrificially supported me through my studies. “Thank you Lord”, I breathed, “ for making all this possible. If I stand here today as a graduate of this prestigious medical school, it is because of your mercy. Thank you Lord,”
Soon my name was called. I snapped out of my reverie and stepped on to the stage to receive my degree from the chief guest. As I walked down the stage, I felt as if it was all a dream, and not true. I had to pinch myself to make sure that I was awake.
There was a sumptuous graduation dinner and good fellowship with my mum, sister and cousins. At the end of the day, I felt really close to the top of the world. It was a day I cherish remembering. Twenty years have gone past since that day, and yet it is memorable to me.
Will there be another such day for me, I wonder. But I know that at the end of this life, there will be a judgment day. Will it be a memorable one like my past graduation day, I wonder…
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The shining white throne, the Bema gleamed so bright. No one could stare at it for more than a second. One by one, the saved folk were called up and judged for their good works. I trembled with fear and apprehension as my turn came next.
Never had I felt so alone and naked as I stood exposed before my Maker. Thank God, He was my Redeemer too! His tender mercies enveloped me as I stood there. He looked at me and through me and into me. Softly I heard His voice. “Well done thou good and faithful servant….”
“Is it true?” I pricked myself. “Is this happening to me?” My heart was bubbling with awe, praise and worship to the Lord. I prostrated myself before Him, my Lord and my God. My faith and life has a meaning now, I felt. What a perfect graduation, I mused.
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“Dear Father God, Enable me and all my dear readers to live such lives here on this earth, so that we’ll be able to hear you say, ‘Well done…’ To that end we plead that you would continually mould us while we are still on earth.”
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© 2004: Dr.M.A.David S Kumar