Today was the first day for children at our Methodist Day School. First day is always exciting. It’s just so much fun to see moms and dads dropping their children off for the first time, excited at a new beginning for their child. There is lots of laughter . . . and a few tears. Some of the younger children think that mom isn’t coming back. The staff at the Day School does a wonderful job of reassuring scared little ones that mom will be back to get them from school. And, by the end of the year (in May) they will finally get it . . . they are falling into something new.
There are also tears from parents, who see this as the start of growing up. I’ve seen men reduced to tears at these moments. As a parent who has gone through this with my own children, you drop them off, get in the car and think, “What have I just done? I’ve just entrusted the most sacred thing in my possession with a complete stranger? What was the teacher’s name again? AARGGH, I can’t remember . . . did I send enough diapers . Wait, I forgot wipes . . . no, I know they were in the bag.” And, then they call the spouse and cry about what just occurred. The conversation in the car goes on with two parents talking about a new beginning. By the end of the year, parents will finally get it . . . they are falling into something new.
Has a new beginning been tough for you recently? Have you found yourself grieving the loss of one thing but excited by the opportunity of something new? Before you know it, you will finally get it . . . you must fall into something new.
I read a blog that said if you are going to fall . . . fall forward. A new beginning can be full of mistakes and stress. So, falling forward, means that you fall into the newness . . . not looking back, experiencing the same old successes and failures. Whatever happens, you will land in a new place with new opportunities — with new success, new experiences, and new moments to cherish.
So, take heart . . . and fall forward into something new.
Prayer:
O Lord, help us to fall forward when we are tempted to fall away from new beginnings. Amen.
Scripture
“Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”” (Acts 5:20 NIV)
Notions 