First Days

Today (Tuesday) is the first day of school in my neighborhood.  The leaves are sounding a little different – a little drier as the breeze ruffles through, and already they’re giving up their valiant effort to hang on.  The green of summer is surrendering to autumnal shades.

Change.  Sometimes we fight it.  Sometimes we embrace it, like these two little girls ready for school.

As I jogged past the kids and parents gathered on each street corner, I paused to wave and yell “Happy first day of school!”

I thought back to all our first days as a family.  Sure, the marking first days of school when we had “adopted” family members, Sue and Heather over for dinner (always homemade chicken pot pie) to hear a recap of every high and low, every “he said, she said” of K and M’s six hours at school.  But there have also been first days of new jobs, first days of marriage, first days of grad school, first days in a new home or apartment for each of us.  New seasons.

And each first day means there’s been a last day.  A last day of summer.  A last day of being single.  The last day in a familiar city that’s been home.

As I jogged and reflected, I was reminded of two things.

1.  Remember to acknowledge and celebrate the “last’s” – the things that are ending, the seasons we’re leaving behind.  God calls us to let go, but He also tells us to remember His faithfulness.

“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God and there is not other…” Is. 46:9

2.  Remember to step into the “firsts” with confidence because God goes behind and before us.  We’re not stepping into anything that’s not completely known by Him.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deut. 31:8

“You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5

This week, what God-sightings from the past three months are you thankful for, and what lies ahead where you’re thankful God has already gone?