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.

The older I get...

... the less I know.

Sometimes I feel like really knowing God is something that becomes more and more elusive as I age. The deeper I go with Him, the more I realize His vastness. And my limited understanding. It's exciting, but perplexing.

How can I be at this stage of my spiritual journey and still be getting such rapid fire deep truths? Because God is so endless that no matter how far we go with Him, there is always more. Lots more.

A new lesson in compassion

Ever notice how you have so much more to share when you study? Sometimes, I feel too empty to blog because I don't have a new insight. But I studied something this week that really struck me.

I read the book of Jude and then the commentary. The commentator talks about reaching others who are not living the life of a believer. He says we must distinguish between "those who are willful and those who are weak." He - Matthew Henry - encourages us to help the weak and guide those who want to make good choices, but fail. Most of us fall into the "weak" category, so that means we are to encourage each other within the body of believers and reach out to those who don't believe. It implies that the willful are not ready to make a change and while we can pray for them, we should focus on the weak. They are more open to truth and need our Christian compassion and guidance.

It's as if God is showing us priorities in ministry. Reach for the weak.

What if nobody shows up?

Have you ever prepared to host an event at your home? You know that the biggest part is cleaning your house, mowing the lawn, sweeping the porch and a thousand other things we all do (scrubbing the guest bathroom)to get ready. The food is next. Do I have everything I need? Cups, plates, ice, silverware? Are the leaves off of the driveway? Does the house smell clean and fresh? Are the fingerprints off the door?

This week, I was hosting a group at my house and as the arrival time approached, I raced around doing last minute touch ups. I glanced at the clock and it was time. No cars pulling in. I polished the front of the oven. I wiped down the refrigerator. Five minutes later. No one. I swept the kitchen floor again. I watered plants. No doorbell. I went outside and cleaned pollen off the porch furniture. Ten more minutes went by.

Nobody is coming, I thought. All of this work and no one cares. People don't love me. No one wants to come to my house. I feel lonely and unappreciated. OK - that's a bit overstated, but I did feel like it would have been nice if people had called earlier - before all of my hard work - and let me know they are standing me up!

Then God spoke to my heart. He said, "This is how I feel when you never show up for your quiet time. I'm ready. I've prepared. I can't wait for you to get here. I have things I want to say. But your car never pulls in my driveway. You just leave me standing there and I feel disappointed. I wonder if you care."

Eventually, my guests arrived. They were late, but they came - and stayed late. We had a wonderful visit and I enjoyed their company. I was so glad they came. While I was happy to have my house clean anyway, I was happier about the time I spent visiting with friends.

I think I got a glimpse of how Jesus feels about spending time with me. And I don't want to disappoint him.