The Week that Was...

In the past 6 days, Ellen graduated, we hosted a big graduation party, Ann turned 27 and we celebrated with dinner and gifts, we all attended the 3-day/night revival at the Cobb Civic Center, I worked for several clients, Bob retired on Wednesday and had a luncheon on Tuesday, and we hosted 22 new moms at a pool party at our house. Whew!

Research states that change triggers stress... even if it's good change. Well, we've had lots of change this week and yet it's rather exciting. We have no idea what God has in store for the future, but we know He is good and He is faithful. Bob is looking for a second career and we are busy preparing to move Elle to University of Alabama in August. We are facing the empty nest with hesitation and anticipation.

In some ways, it seems odd that God would take us through so much transition at this time of life. Yet we all face these changes and we learn to trust Him with a new segment of our journey. What's next? We don't know. But we do know who knows. And we're OK with that.

Exhaling

Elle graduated Saturday, thanks to a series of wonderful works from the Father over a period of time. Most recently, she was struggling in algebra and we all felt such a hopelessness about the prospects of graduating. Then God brought us an amazing solution and she made a B. As we celebrated her graduation on Saturday, Bob and I sat in disbelief as we talked about how God showed up and brought us to this point. In so many ways, He's been faithful.

Then many friends and family stopped by to congratulate Elle... and the warmth of our home, filled with people who love us and whom we love, was overwhelming. Again, God showed up and blessed us with the wonder of Christian community.

A Tribute to Teachers

We went to the Cobb County Teacher Retirement Luncheon this week. My husband is retiring and I wanted us to enjoy this recognition occasion. When we pulled into the parking lot, I couldn't help but notice the modest cars being exited by nicely dressed people in conservative attire. My heart was warmed by the realization that each of these 209 teachers had given a lifetime of service and were now being honored with a chicken dinner and a plaque, gifts that were tiny tokens of the enormous respect due for what had been accomplished in thousands of lives. Their service totaled more than 5,450 years. What an investment in educating our children.

I never felt more pride for my husband. He's the finest teacher I know and full of intelligence and creativity. He served 30 years in Cobb and another 4 in Marietta City, influencing thousands of young people. He has been a sponsor for Fellowship of Christian Athletes for 30 years too - and that ministry has had a high impact. He has accomplished much, and done it well. His service has been his ministry.

It was surreal to sit there and realize it's over. We don't feel old enough to be retiring and we anticipate many useful years ahead. Yet we believe God is calling us to something new. We're eager to find out what's next.

In the meantime, I am so deeply grateful to have spent my life as a teacher's wife.

Speeding Toward the Finish Line

When your child graduates from high school, it's a huge accomplishment... for the parents. I read today that having young children is physically demanding, but having teenagers is emotionally demanding. Amen, sista!

Perhaps the greatest pressure comes from the culture of these teenagers. If your child is in the midst of a generation obsessed with drinking, drugs, sexual immorality and lack of morals, you might think that sounds like every other generation. I can tell you that it's not. This group of "children" face more of everything than any generation in the past... more STDs, more AIDS, more binge drinking, more promiscuity, more drug addiction, more profanity... just more of everything.

And less of Jesus.

Sure, there are a few kids who have held on spiritually. But they are swimming up stream and need our support. And the kids swimming down stream need it even more. My husband and I are more convinced than ever that our call is to help young people. It's always been that way, but the need is more desperate now. An entire segment of our culture has shifted to the world.

So as I face the finish line of one part of life - and a sense of relief to have made it - I am also facing the starting line of another four years. And to combat the stress of thinking about that journey, I am looking up. I am focusing on the Lord and His amazing power to sustain my child. I am asking Him to get us all to the next finish line. And more than that, to get us there successfully. With Him.