Everybody Needs A Friend Some Time

I attended a graduation ceremony yesterday morning. Kindergarten, that is, one with little people sporting the coolest white caps and gowns and with parents and grandparents snapping photos and videoing like Taylor Swift had arrived. Actually, they wouldn't have taken as many pictures of Ms. Swift. Especially the grandparents. Give one of us a cellphone, put a grandkid within 100 feet, and just watch how fast our thumbs can fly.

The folks in charge clearly knew a thing or two about putting together such festivities. It began right on time, the Director welcomed everybody, and then the music started for the Processional of graduates. This is where it was a little different.

First, the graduates entered to music from the movie Forest Gump. You must know that I'm a sucker for "Pomp and Circumstance," but this was an inspired choice, one I've never heard at a graduation before. I had a lump in my throat before the first kid walked in, which is saying something, since I was there as a pastor, not as a grandparent.

Second, rather than entering in a long line, the graduates appeared on the stage individually through a backdrop shaped like a red one-room schoolhouse. It was quite touching, the children stepping through the door of the school, then standing and smiling broadly a few seconds for the obligatory photo op. They were a well-oiled machine, one popping out just after his or her colleague boogeyed to their assigned seat, all while that really cool music played.

They reached the end of the line and only one seat remained empty. A girl in a white cap and gown appeared, but she immediately slammed on brakes before stepping through the door. Likely it was simple stage fright, maybe the sight of an auditorium full of people. I've felt the same way a few times when I stood up to preach, especially at a big funeral or some other special sort of service. It's just kind of hard to get the feet and legs moving.

She turned away from the stage as if she might flee. Stepping beside the little girl, her teacher bent close to her cheek and wrapped her arm around her. I have no idea what she said, but I'm sure it was something comforting and encouraging. Then, the teacher sort of aimed the girl toward her seat and nudged her in that direction.

She walked timidly to join her classmates who were still standing. I'm pretty sure she was sniffling a bit, and she turned herself sideways to the crowd so that she was looking at the boy next to her.

That's when it happened. I have no idea of the boy's name or anything about him other than he, like all the other kids, was graduating from kindergarten. That means he's 6 years old, or he will be by September 1. He's just a kid himself.

Seeing his friend struggling a bit, the young fellow reached his arm around her shoulder and gave her what we adults would call a "side hug." He patted her arm reassuringly, and the crowd all said "Aw!" together. It was such a small gesture, really, and yet so very big. Huge, in fact.

A few minutes later, the students sang a song called "Forever Friends." They clasped hands and swung their arms together, and I watched that particular boy and girl. As they sang, she seemed to relax, to enjoy herself, and for the rest of the ceremony she looked toward the audience. She stepped to the microphone a few minutes later and delivered a couple of lines like a seasoned pro. When it was her turn, she marched over, got her diploma, and smiled for yet another round of photos.

We've all been that girl before, haven't we? Circumstances or challenges come our way, and we just need a hug. Or a reassuring arm around our shoulder. Maybe a kind word. Or someone to hold our hand and sing "Forever Friends" with us.

Proverbs 17:17 in the English Standard Version says, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." Now, if a preacher's job is to bring the Bible to life, to help us to understand and apply it, then I - and a whole bunch of other people - got to "hear" a mighty fine sermon in a Perry, Georgia school auditorium.

Thank you, young man! And, thank you, too, for being a really good friend. After all, everybody needs a friend some time.