There’s something to be said about new beginnings, and about holding on to the past. Yesterday was the first day of school for kids in Brevard County, Florida. The excitement of the first day is palpable. Students have their new backpacks filled with the supplies that will spell success. They lay out their outfits or uniforms the night before, dressing to impress. They probably don’t sleep very well, wondering if their best friends will be in their class, and anticipating all kinds of new experiences that within weeks become routine.
By the end of the day, they’re worrying about whether they’ll find the right bus, or how they can carry all those books home in full backpacks, whether they’ll measure up with their first assignments (ugh, homework), and what the new teacher expects after all the introductory goalsetting.
Paresnts utter their last pieces of advice as they send their kids out the door: “Make sure you listen,” “Welcome new kids,” “Don’t forget your manners,” and “don’t use your phones in school,” and “you know what I expect,” and “have a great day.”
Teachers have their bulletin boards up, fresh and tidy, their class lists ready, chairs neatly set in rows or in groups, anticipating their precious students to be the best ones in the school, or she/he will make them so. Their lofty goals are set, their curriculum dated with earmarks for testing days when their reputation passes or fails with their kids’ achievements or lack thereof, and the look for potential leaders, and quickly spot those who are there to socialize, not learn. They can spot the class clown who sits in the back, surveying the crowd, as she/he does it simultaneously.
After a few days, things settle into routine with few surprises, and the hard work of teaching-learning begins.
I am reminded of a spiritual-eternal truth in all this. The book of John says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” He is referring to the presence of Jesus, the Savior of the world, who was present and at work from the very beginning to the end of eternity (whenever that might be). From the first moment of creation to the last vestige of the earth before the peaceable kingdom of Christ is established, God knew how it would be, when events would occur, when we would live out our lives, whether we would chose to follow Jesus or Satan, and when we would die, go to heaven or hell, and every event, achievement, and thought. There is nothing artificial about His intelligence. He, who can number every hair on our heads, hold our hands in all our new beginnings and tells us, like a loyal parent, “I’ve got your back. Now go out there and live life well to show everyone whose you are.
In a word, our little beginnings like the first day of school, or our first days in a new home like we’re experiencing, are under His watchful eye. God is the one who makes our possibilities, knows who we are because He created us, and is there to ask us, at the end of every day, “How are you doing?” And our answer is, “Thank you for watching over me and blessing me on my way.” For that is exactly Who He is, and He’s the greatest of the possibility thinkers.
About the Author
