Brothers go to UF!

                        I have two brothers graduating this year, one from Hardee High School and the other from “THE” University of Florida.

                        I am proud of all my brothers and sisters and love them very much but I wanted to take this opportunity to encourage these guys on the next step life has for them.

                        Jonathon will be heading to Gainesville to continue his studies as a student at the University of Florida. Counting my Grandfather 7 Kelly boys have attended the University of Florida when Jonathon enrolls. That is quite a legacy to step into for Jonathon. However, he might be the brightest of all of us, since most all of us were able to tell him how to do everything. That’s the joy of being the youngest.

                        As an aside I think UF owes the Kelly family some free football tickets. That’s a lot of tuition over the years. The more I think about it, maybe some 50yd line football tickets.

                        And for Michael he will be the third Kelly to graduate from the College of Journalism at University of Florida. Way to go Mike. Unless you’ve been through a reporting class at UF you have no idea what it takes to get that diploma.

                        Historically, UF’s College of Journalism has ranked in the top 5 nationwide. The University of Kansas and The University of Missouri and The University of North Carolina are the other schools that hover at the top.

                        So what do you tell two guys that are about to start new adventures? What do you tell your brothers about what lies ahead? What advice is worthy of giving and what advice will they want to hear or be willing to take into consideration?

                        Follow your heart, not good enough. Trust your insticts, not always. Do what makes you happy, only if you have a good bail bonds persons number. Dream big, always. Plan ahead, never hurts. Think positive thoughts, couldn’t hurt.

                        I’ve been ask to speak at baccalaureate’s, I’ve preached on graduation Sunday quite often and I have had to give inspirational talks before ball games or even at camps and retreats.  But what message is going to encourage my brothers?

                        I hope this one. In life you will have a lot of opportunities to do the wrong things. You will have many opportunities to fail. Every single day is full of choices and full of tough decisions. Make a decision today that will make all of the other decisions easier to handle. Today decide to let Scripture guide your thoughts, let Scripture encourage your heart, let Scripture give you strength. Joshua 1:8 says, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. “

                        To be successful and prosperous we must meditate on God’s Word. Jesus sums up what the greatest commandment is when He tells us in Mark chapter 12 verses 30 and 31, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

                        Those are tall orders. May God walk with you and be your strength as follow Him where He leads you.