Where, oh where did the summer go? Are we seriously falling into fall already? This week I’m in limbo, lamenting the end of carefree, schedule-free, long, hot days of summer—yet desperately ready for structure, sanity, and cute boots. I love, love, love summer, it’s truly my favourite season, but I hyperventilate with excitement just a little at the thought of the family back to bustling and me having the house to myself again…
This September finds me with 3 “kids” (not sure if I can actually call them that anymore, but “offspring” sounds rather rigid) all in very different places of academia. One still in high school (thank goodness, because I’m so not ready for the next phase), one starting undergrad at Uni (but still living at home, thank goodness, because I’m also not ready for that next phase), and one doing post-grad at Uni in Montreal (seeing as how she’s married and living on the other side of this fair country, its happening if I’m ready or not.)
Back to school shopping, that whole stressful thing at Staples, cute little lunch boxes, and labeling every item that leaves the house—they are all becoming distant memories. And my 13 years of homeschooling with curriculum selections and social interactions are a complete blur. Still not entirely sure how I pulled that off. Such priceless memories, but it’s time to look ahead to another school year and embrace what’s coming. Yikes.
Does that freak you out—looking ahead at the next year? Are you worried about yourself, your kids, your family, your job, your health? Life goes on if we’re ready or not, and quite honestly I don’t know how I’d survive if I didn’t believe God is in complete control. I can place my kids, my family, my writing, my health, and my future all into His hands, knowing His ways are ultimately best, and knowing that my worrying and stressing will do zero for anyone or anything. Myself included.
Notice I said “can” place everything—not that I actually do. It’s a super-duper idea, but easier said than done without a truckload of faith. Oh, I try, but we all know it’s a struggle, this control thing. It’s a constant cycle of me thinking I’ve got it covered, me realizing I actually don’t because I’m… me, and then throwing my hands in the air in despair, and finally upturning those palms and remembering that GOD has it. He has it. He had it all along…
“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)
So won’t you join with me and take a deep breath as we fall into fall and let’s brace ourselves for what is it come—the plans, the agenda, the changes, the challenges? We’re ready for this. We have the Master Planner in control of the whole lot. (We just have to remember that little nugget.)
Ready… (ish)
Linking up with some fabulous encouragers! Check them out:
