The Promotion (06/02/2026)

Last evening, we attended the 8^th Grade Promotion in our city of Lake Mills. The name was an eye opener for me. When I finished 8^th grade, I graduated. But my grandson was promoted. I couldn’t figure out if it was the same ritual with a new name or a different event all together. Turns out, it was the same. And the most notable thing about it was the sense of pride in the youth and support from the whole community.

Every single 8^th grader received applause at the announcement of his or her name. I wasn’t surprised at the beginning as the applause rang out with each name, but I wondered if the sentiment and support would last through 111 members of the Class of 2030. My skepticism was unwarranted. It did indeed endure through the entire class.

I looked around me and saw the smiling faces of generations of families and of friends. I noticed that there were no interruptions in the program, no crises breaking out in the bleachers, no one walking out to go to the bathroom. Everyone showed up. Everyone stayed. Everyone was on their best behavior, even babies and toddlers. It was amazing.

Afterwards, the newly promoted teens assembled in the large room outside the gym and waited for family. The mood in the room rivaled that of a Super Bowl victory party. People were congratulating the newly promoted, snapping selfies, taking group photos, shaking hands, hugging. I tell you, it warmed my heart. We haven’t lost the ability to be united.

Last night after the event, I did what I always do and reflected on the day and the evening. The sense of unity in a room so full of diversity warmed my heart and gave me hope. If it could happen there, could it happen anywhere? What brought us together? Love. Ah, I thought, love does make us act better. As I turned my day over to my LORD and asked for the blessing of a good night’s rest and another day, I asked that the LORD bless all those present at the promotion with the memory of the special day and the amazing impact love can have among us.

As we go forward on our spiritual journeys, let us bear in mind that the LORD is love itself and from love created us and through love saved us and in love blesses us. Love is at the heart of all that is and is our calling no matter where we are born, no matter where we travel, no matter how far we stray. Let love be on our minds, in our hearts, and the fuel of our lives all day, every day.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.