At Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, I have had the privilege of watching children grow, change and achieve big milestones throughout my more than 20 years here. My name is Ray Martinez, and I have the privilege of serving as the Senior Chaplain.
Has there ever been a time in your life where you could sense a “buzz in the air” kind of feeling, (change around the corner)? Maybe it was your own high school or college graduation. Maybe it was your wedding day or the birth of a child-that kind of buzz mixed with excitement, but also some uncertainty and for others, trepidation. This same buzz is in the air around our Boys Ranch campus, as our seniors are preparing to reach a mega milestone in their lives-graduating from Boys Ranch ISD High School and receiving a high school diploma.
The scripture in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us that for everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. There is a time that our friends arrive at Boys Ranch and a time that our friends graduate and leave.
This milestone in a Boys Ranch graduate’s life is only but a season mixed with feelings of excitement and or uncertainty.
Seasons change just as we enter into the summer season. This reminds us of the one thing that remains constant and never changing. We are reminded that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forevermore (Hebrews 13:8). Because Jesus remains the same, He can be in every season of our lives whether it’s a difficult season, a joyful season, or a buzz in the air season. God can be trusted in all seasons. So, whatever season you find yourself in this very moment, God is aware; but not only is he aware, He is FAITHFUL and PRESENT!
So, the buzz in the air feeling on our campus is a good one, with much hope for a future for our friends, but also one with heavy hearts as we know that our season with our graduates has come to an end. We know that God was present in their yesterdays, God is present today and God will be with our friends in their futures.
A prayer for each of you:
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you, His peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26).
In Christ,
Chaplain Ray Martinez