Am I Your Favorite?

Check out those two! Doing what we did so many times!

Today is the big day. My youngest grandchild, Bryson, walks across the graduation stage — and just like that, I’m feeling all the feels. Please bring on the Kleenex!

This one? He’s been something special. Maybe it’s because he’s the caboose of our grandkid train, or maybe it’s because I’ve had the privilege of being his “Nana care” in Seattle, Austin or wherever life called me. Either way, he’s had a hold on my heart.

Bryson has always been his own man. Confident, humble, kind, a little funny (okay, a lot), and perfectly content in his own skin. He’s the guy who would still hold Nana’s hand when we sat side-by-side. Be still my heart.

And then there’s Panda Express. Our after-school tradition — orange chicken and rice, “the usual.” We’d swing by nearly every day after school. On Tuesday, we went back one more time — same order, same smiles.

The manager remembered us and surprised us with dessert treats! (She tried recruiting him to work for her, but wrestling, workouts, and honors classes won that match.)

These moments — simple, sacred — are what I’ll carry with me long after the cap and gown are tucked away.

Bryson reminds me of Isaiah 66:2:
“These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my Word.”

That’s God’s kind of graduate. That’s God’s kind of child. And here’s the kicker: God’s favor isn’t just for Bryson. Or me. Or you. He doesn’t rank us. He’s not stingy with His affection. He’s wild about all His kids.

As Max Lucado beautifully says:
“If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.”

So yes — maybe Bryson is one of my favorites. But so is every single one of my grands. And I think that’s just how God sees us, too.

So today, whether you’re graduating, cheering from the stands, or just reheating leftover Panda Express, feel the favor.

God’s crazy about you. He made you His. And you, my friend, are His favorite, too.