New Seasons

Okay, I'm not too proud to say it. School begins on Monday, and I'm terrified.

I woke up at 3am this morning, my mind racing over my syllabus, whether I've done enough, and whether I'll catch all my typos before I print my final draft.

Good times.

I face these heart palpitations every semester as all the unknowns in students and schedule and the juggling act of home, school, writing, volunteer programs, family, etc. get together and multiply anxieties in my mind like bunnies. Then I feel like a fake and wonder why I even bother doing anything. Ever.

But last night (or rather this morning) as I said my multiplication tables in my head last night, trying to go to sleep, a feeling began pooling around my heart, crossing over into my mind's race track: gratitude.

Gratitude for an amazing summer where I experienced God's faithfulness and gentleness to me in family changes, Nathan's and my decisions, my writing, my relationships. Gratitude for a summer of afternoon naps, lake weekends, patio suppers, and afternoons painting furniture. Gratitude for peace and contentment, even gratitude for the days I felt worried and restless, because I had time to work through it.

All of which translate into lessons, energy, and ideas I'll carry with me into the busy times this semester; a reminder that God's goodness doesn't stop, or start, by our seasons, but new mercies are given every day. Such is His great faithfulness.

Looking at the time, I'd better go get dressed and ready for orientation today. I'll have to begin a new blog schedule this fall, since I'll be teaching when I normally write. But it'll be alright, a new season is here, and with it, new mercies. And I can't wait to see them.