First Day of School/New Beginnings

Today is another new beginning. . . life is full of them isn't it?

Our oldest child is heading to High School (I can't hardly believe it, he was just born!!) and our youngest is going to fifth grade (I loved fifth grade it was my favorite year in Elementary School).

I always get a little bit "homesick" feeling when school starts up again. . . I think it's because I always loved school and I don't get to go! (Though I do have a 160 page paper to edit for my Dmin project that I should be working on!!)  I remember the days of packing up mom and dad's car with all my stuff and heading back to Athens for the fall.  Moving into a new room, first the Convo, then Wilson Hall, then two years at the College Inn. New folders and pens, a new backpack to carry my stuff in, new track shoes for fall practice.  I miss those days!  I miss those people!  I miss the freedom. . . what I don't miss is having an 18 year old's brain!  I like the brain I have now!

So, I send my kids off today with their new bags and folders, pencils and erasers. . . I wonder what adventures they will be taken on this year.  High school swimming for him, honors classes, more homework than ever before, and the chance to watch him shine.  For her, well- she's into everything so it should be interesting!  The world is right there for them to grab. . . will they be brave enough to go for it?
Will they be intimidated by new surroundings?  Will they forget their locker combinations?  How long will it take for them to get comfortable?  Will it be overwhelming or exciting or both?  

I have to confess something about this first day of school.  At the same time that I long for the house to be a little bit quiet so I can write and read (and think!) I will miss them and wonder what they are doing.  Whenever something changes, even if it's a good thing, a positive thing, a step in the right direction. . . part of me still misses what once was. The old Adam hanging around my neck I suppose.  Melancholy is the best way to describe the feeling.  Bittersweet even.  Then I think. . . God knows what is coming next, I don't know. . . it just might be the most wonderful thing ever and who could imagine it?  I trust that God is always looking out for us, moving us toward something deeper, more meaningful, more to where He wants us to be. . .

So while I lament what is past, what will be gone forever, I am hopeful for what is to come.  And I try, oh how I try, not to dwell in the details of the transition, not to look too far ahead, or too far behind.  God is working on me to live more in the moment, to embrace the gifts that come TODAY.  That takes an ability to "feel" my way through life and if you know me then you know that I prefer to reduce everything to words and logic and reason.  Hazard of years of scientific study I guess.  So a new beginning is upon us. . . nothing to fear, only life to embrace for Christ is with us every step of the way.  What will happen next?  I can only be present enough to see and feel and experience whatever God has in mind for me and for the two most precious people in my life:  Noah Jacob and Anna Sophia.  Love you guys!

Change, even positive change, can be a bit overwhelming!

Matthew 28: 18-20
"Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."

It's a new beginning.  A new church.  A new opportunity to get down to basics and serve the Lord with heart, soul, mind and strength.  I'm talking about the fact that I am now a pastor in the North American Lutheran Church and within days will no longer be affiliated with the church of my youth, the ELCA.  This post is not to discuss the myriad reasons why this came about, simply to say that even though a change is good, hope filled, Spirit filled, Spirit led. . . it can still be a little overwhelming.  


You know how that is-- a new baby-- very good change!
A new job-- fantastic opportunity for growth and career.
A new home-- with new closets, cupboards, and curtains.
But it is change nonetheless. 
I've written before on this blog about how one can not expect change to happen in a vacuum.  Whenever there is one change, we can expect change in other realms of our lives.  Isaac Newton said it like this, "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. . ."  


So, I wait. . . and cling to the cross of Jesus who promised to be faithful to this task of disciple making, baptizing and good news preaching.  He also promised that he would NEVER leave us!  Therein  lies the best news of the day.  The Christ who lived and died, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, the Christ who will come again is the same yesterday, today and forever.  There's a constant we can rely on in the sea of change.  So I tell myself, "Shhh, be still, don't get overwhelmed by all the change, even though you're happy about it. . . just BE."  (It's hard for me to BE.  I know that and so I'm working on it!)  Just BE present, to the moment, to self, but ultimately to CHRIST!  


Whatever is changing in your life. . . just BE.
Whatever is moving in your being. . . just BE.
Whatever is adapting, transforming, whatever is being reworked, remodeled, or refined. . . just BE.  And know that Christ is with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.


Image credit: ideachampions.com