I’d like for you to imagine with me for just a second – imagine that you are getting ready for vacation. You’re going to a private island in the caribbean, all expenses paid, all the food and beverage you could want and all prepared by Food Network Chefs. The weather is supposed to be perfect and you have recently purchased what you believe is the perfect outfit for dinner with your someone special. There are activities for all family members so you will have freedom and peace while still enjoying everyone and having that quality time. Then as you are about to leave for the airport, you get a phone call telling you that your dream peace-filled vacation is going to be postponed by 2 days.
The feeling of expectation and excitement that you have been gearing yourself up for will now have to be extended. The anticipation of a relaxing afternoon or that special moment when you feel the beauty of calm will have to be delayed. I can imagine a part of that feeling. While I’ve never been offered a vacation like the one I mention (though I would certainly not turn it down), this week I was faced with one of those moments of “not quite yet!!”.
This week Jefferson County Schools were delayed two days as they dealt with the effects of a pretty strong storm that hit the area on Saturday. 130,000 folks were without power after that storm and as of now, Thursday, there are still some folks without. This delay was kind of like having a long expected vacation put on hold. When we got the word on Tuesday that School was starting the next day, a thunderous applause was heard throughout our fair city (well, maybe not but it sure could have).
I’ve gotten a lot of curious looks this week as I’ve shared my excitement about my children’s return to school. Some folks think I’m being inappropriate or that I maybe sending my kids the message that they’re not loved, which is crazy talk. I adore my kids – with every fiber of my being. I also adore knowing that they are growing and stretching and engaging their minds and bodies. I love spending time with them and hearing their amazing stories and looking at the cartoons they’ve recently drawn up. I love my kids, and I love them enough to realize that they need to be away from me too. They need the stimulation and the engagement from teachers and other kids and they need it as much as we dads and moms need it.
As I was laying bed last night, I started praying for my kids and for my family. I prayed that they would know God’s provision and God’s presence as they were back in school. I prayed that God would shield their hearts and minds from the things that so easily tire us out. I prayed that they would enjoy the stretch that learning brings.
Then, I prayed that I would realize that I too have an opportunity to be stretched – that I too am being asked by my Father to step out and look at the world around us and know that I’m needed. Friends, we all have an opportunity to step out – each day – and engage a world that, in many ways, has stopped trying for God’s Best. We have a chance every day to offer HOPE to someone who needs what only the God of Hope can give. We have a chance to stretch and know that our God loves us so much that we’re invited to leave the confines of our worship spaces and LOVE others like we’re loved. I pray that you’ll hear the applause of heaven this week as our good and awesome Father invites us to be released to a world that needs stretching servants. I pray that we’ll know this LOVE and be so confident in it, that we can hear our invitation to step out as a gift. I pray that we’ll know that our Father indeed adores us and is thrilled that we are now released to go and love others in the same way!
Happy Back to school and may we all be released to love in big stretching ways the rest of this week!
No comments
For those of us old enough to remember the "Cosby Show," one of the greatest desires of Bill Cosby's heart was the day his children would leave the house. I recall a couple of episodes when Bill would enter the living room ready to enjoy a quiet afternoon of TV with a favorite sandwich. All of a sudden his children would arrive home from school. You could see the crestafallen look on his face but also the instant engagement he had with his kids. I wish more parents followed that model.