It's 5:45am on a Thursday morning, and I'm up earlier than usual at my computer. You may say that's not really that early to be up on a Thursday, but remember, I'm on summer vacation. Somehow I think I'm violating some unwritten teacher rule about being up before sunrise during the summer.
I couldn't sleep well last night for a variety of reasons. Megan had to avoid a potential accident on Capital Blvd on her way home from rehearsal last night. Some crazy guy driving south in a north-bound lane. God was protecting her and helped her avoid what could have been a bad accident. There are some other things on my mind right now, and I guess all that stress led me to talk in my sleep last night. I dreamed that someone was trying to press in the walls of our bedroom, and I had to do something about it. If you want to hear more stories about my talking (and the ocassional walking) in my sleep, see Felicia for more details.
As I sit here early this morning and reflect on all this, I realized (not for the first time) that our family is in the midst of a year of transitions. All six of us are either in the middle of a transition or about to go through one in the next month or so. For our family, 2013 will always be remembered for the transitions we endured. I pray it will also be known for the work of God in our lives. Here are some of the transitions I'm talking about:
Felicia - she started a new job in a new division in state gov't in January. While she's getting integrated well after seven months, she's still learning and getting up to speed. She's also experiencing a transition with a new writing project that was published just recently.
Megan - she graduated from NC State in May and is looking for full-time employment. Megan has to make a tough transition - she's no longer a student for the first time in her life. Being an adult takes on a lot of new meaning when you leave college.
Kelsey - she starts her sophomore year in college this Fall, but at a new school. She has transferred to the College at Southeastern, leaving UNC-CH behind. I'd say that's a pretty big transition, going from Carolina to Southeastern. But God is able.
Daniel - he starts high school this Fall at NRCA. I see God doing so much in his life. This will be a big year for Daniel, a lot different than middle school.
Matt - he starts middle school this Fall at NRCA. One of the biggest transitions a student makes is going from elementary to middle school. Matt has his work cut out for him this year.
And then there's me, too. So many transitions for me this year. It started with a move out of a church ministry position, and I continue to wait on the Lord for that. I also will be moving to teach Algebra I in 8th grade at NRCA, while also transitioning to some new roles on the middle school team. Our entire family is also transitioning to a new church, which brings additional things to think about and decisions to make.
Wow! That's a lot of transitions. And how funny that all of us are going through our own individually and a few more as a family. But as I reflect on all this again this morning, I'm also reminded how big my God is. Scripture is filled with encouragement that God is not surprised by our circumstances. It tells us that nothing is too difficult for God. He is able and already working in today's circumstances, with a perfect view of what tomorrow will bring. The Bible tells us that God always keeps His promises. What an awesome comfort that is!
I may not know what tomorrow holds. I may not understand why God allows things to happen the way He does. I may not know how today's circumstances will work out. But I trust in a God who knows me better than I know myself. He is able. The words of the song by that name always comfort and assure me:
He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today
He is able, more than able, to handle anything that comes my way
He is able, more than able, to do much more than I could ever dream
He is able, more than able, to make me what He wants me to be
When I reflect on those lyrics, I'm also reminded of the passage from Ephesians 3:20-21:
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Pastor Randy
