Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ~James 1:17
Pictured here is our oldest granddaughter, Virginia Rose, holding a special certificate, one all of us are celebrating. She earns all A's in her first term of 8th grade!!! If we all reflect upon our middle school years, we know that is no small feat.
Virginia decides to work extra hard in school this year, and the results of her labors pay off with great dividends. The morning her dad snaps this photo, she has just finished attending a special breakfast at school, followed by an awards ceremony for her and others in her class who have achieved the same milestone.
I'm so grateful that God has blessed Virginia with intellectual gifts that have enabled her to reach this coveted goal. She sees for herself how much hard work and perseverance can help her climb the mountains in her life, no matter what obstacles might come. Yes, she is so proud of this recent achievement, and so are we, but I've told her all along that, as a goal she has set for herself, failing to meet that goal, as long as you've tried your hardest, is no reason not to try, try again.
I'm also thankful to know that the school she is attending still rewards high-achieving students. There are no trophies, or certificates, for 10th place. And that's how it should be.
Children intuitively know when they are being coddled or rewarded for something they haven't legitimately earned. One can hardly feel pride or a sense of accomplishment in getting a "prize" for mediocrity. Virginia lets us know that already, some of her friends are determined to earn all A's the next time around because of her inspiration. Isn't that the best?
My hope and prayer? That Virginia will continue to recognize and use the marvelous gifts God has given her, not just for her own gratification, but as an inspiration to others to nurture and develop their unique gifts, too. Seems to me that this "Little Big Girl" is well on her way to doing just that!
God sure loves you, sweet Virginia! Always use your gifts and talents, His good and perfect gifts, for His praise and glory as you thank Him every day.
Amen!
CONGRATULATIONS and well done, Virginia. You should be proud of your great achievement and we celebrate it with you and your family. You are a talented lady and you have been rewarded for all your hard work. God bless you and your family always.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Victor, for your kind and encouraging words here today! I'll be sure that Virginia's mom shows her this latest post so she can know others are supporting her, too.
DeleteLove and blessings!
First, your granddaughter is turning into a beautiful young lady. Second, I am trying to figure out what all A's look like. Nope, can't do it. That would have been in my wildest dreams. :) I told my grandson years ago that to excel in sports (baseball especially) is good, but excelling in grades is better. He is smarter than I ever dreamed of being. Please tell Virginia Rose I said Congrats and to keep making you proud. :)
ReplyDeleteI certainly will, Bill! For someone who struggled to "make the grade" in school, you've certainly thrived as an adult, my friend. I always look forward to reading your blog posts - so much grace and wisdom in them.
DeleteGlad to hear your grandson is one smart cookie!
Love and blessings!
Congratulations o Virginia Rose - for her skills and talents and her hard work.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Glynn! As I said to Victor above, I will be sure that Sarah shows this post and the lovely comments to her this week.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Congrats to Virginia!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Congratulations Virginia with Aloha!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Cloudia!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Way to go Virginia Rose!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I say, Debby. Thanks!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Congrats to Virginia! May all her hard work continue to inspire others.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I hope, too, Bill. Thanks for the congrats!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Congratulations to Virginia! I so agree, with her school's philosophy (about rewarding). Mostly, I'm touched that she's already becoming an inspiration to others. What a blessing, that girl of yours!
ReplyDeleteVirginia has been a blessing from the moment she was born, Myra. I'm just so grateful that she hasn't developed any nasty teen tendencies, and doesn't seem to be heading in anything but a positive direction.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
ReplyDeleteSure, Virginia can be very proud of her achievements and let's hope it has a ripple effect on others for just trying 'a little' harder.
Hugs,
Mariette
I'm hoping for that same thing, too, Mariette.
DeleteLove and blessings!
💞
DeleteCongratulations! She is beautiful & growing up, Martha!
ReplyDeleteBlessings- Lulu
Thank you, Lulu. Yes, she is growing up and way too fast. Where did that little girl go? Fortunately, that girl is still guiding her heart.
DeleteLove and blessings!
She has really grown since I last saw a photo of her. Congrats on her hard work
ReplyDeleteShe is growing up too fast, Jean, but it always seems that way with grandchildren, doesn't it? We miss those "little people." Thanks for the congrats for her!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Congratulations from me as well, she has down well
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jo-Anne!
DeleteLove and blessings!
How wonderful!! Congratulations, Virginia! That is a wonderful accomplishment! I pray she will always have those high ideals and aspirations and that she will continue to do well all the way through school! What a blessing!!!
ReplyDeleteI pray the same, Pamela. Thanks for the congratulations!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Congratulations, Virginia! May you continue to use the gifts God has given you to His glory and to the welfare of those around you! Love and blessings to you, Martha!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words here, Trudy.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Congratulations, Virginia. Keep up the good work. There will be rewards for you in your future. Peace and blessing to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words here, Cecelia.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Congratulations, Virginia! Doing your best is not only good enough; it is a commendable effort.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Arieth! Yes, we are so proud of Virginia for doing her best.
DeleteLove and blessings!
This is great, Martha! Congratulations to Virginia Rose! I like how she's already inspiring others to excel in their grades too! Happy Thanksgiving. Karen Friday
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Karen! We are so grateful for all Virginia is doing.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving to Mike and you!
Love and blessings!
Bom dia, Martha
ReplyDeleteParabéns Virginia, sucesso sempre, ela é linda e que Deus continue usando sua vida para Glória do Senhor e também inspirar outros, um forte abraço.
That is my prayer, too, Lucinalva. Thank you!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Being a blessed, gratified, and hope-filled grandfather as well, I love the way you do so much more than applaud and encourage Virginia. You also challenge her and reinforce the perseverance and faithfulness to the tasks required to achieve her impressive award. It's never enough to just inherit the potential. Potential alone won't keep us going when we want to quit or pick us up to get back in the fight when we've been knocked down a step or two. God bless you for using the influence you have to pass along the things that genetics alone can't transmit.
ReplyDeletePerseverance is what it's all about in the long run, Ron; just as Paul urged the churches to do - run the race fully for the Lord! I believe that the earlier children learn to buckle down and try their best, the sooner they will be able to navigate this world of disappointments and shortcomings. I think Virginia knows how much God has blessed her!
DeleteLove and blessings!
How pleasant it is to see our grandchildren giving it their best. I am glad to see this for Virginia!
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing better, Barbara. We all want the very best for our children and grandchildren.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Grateful for you … Happy Thanksgiving, Martha.
ReplyDeleteAs I am grateful for you, Linda! Happy Thanksgiving, my friend.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Kudos Virginia! That little girl I last saw in your pictures - years ago - has grown into a lovely lady. And smart too. Happy Thanksgiving to you, dear Martha, and to all your clan.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Debra! She has certainly grown up so much, and I'm so glad that her kind heart has kept up with her.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
Love and blessings!
All "A"s! Wow Ms. Virginia. You're officially a "brainiac." :-) Great going young lady. Am so proud of you ma'am. I bet your grammy and grandpa Danny is too. God's blessings young lady and keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, J. D., we couldn't be prouder! Virginia is a shining light in our lives.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Congratulations to Virginia! It's a gift to have the discipline and ability to make good grades.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful gift, indeed, Lisa.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Kudos to Virginia for her achievement 🥂
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work!
Hugs and blessings, Martha
Thanks so much, Veronica.
DeleteLove and blessings!
She's beautiful too. She's got, as they say, both looks and brains. Virginia and family can be proud of her achievements. Keep up the good work, Virginia!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Duta! Yes, I think Virginia is a beautiful young lady, inside and out.
DeleteLove and blessings!
More congratulations from this corner for Virginia! / Must say AMEN to your comments about the wisdom of offering no trophies for 10th place. You are so right: kids "know when they are being coddled or rewarded for something they haven't legitimately earned." Our son played basketball in 6th grade. His team earned trophies for 6th place, but that's all the teams there were: six. Even then he thought it was silly! Now our society is reaping some of the consequences of coddled, entitled children: they've become narcissists.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to see how low our society has plummeted these days, Nancy. In the name of equity, high achieving persons are often ignored or not celebrated for their achievements. That goes against everything I was ever taught growing up.
DeleteThanks so much for your congratulations for Virginia. I'll be sure to let her know to read the new comments here!
Love and blessings!
Oh so lovely! A beautiful post! Very uplifting. Thanks so much for this post. I sincerely appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Ellie! I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Congratulations, Virginia! And so happy to hear that she doesn't attend a school that is woke and hands out trophies for just participation. Glad they honor those who truly earn the trophies.
ReplyDeleteI'm so grateful for that, too, Cheryl. I will make sure that Virginia sees your congratulations!
DeleteLove and blessings!