Over the past decades I have noticed that life increasingly revolves
around the yearly cycle of the school year.
School concludes around Memorial Day.
Then the summer vacation time begins with a different pace of life. In mid to late August, school resumes. Closely following is the Labor Day Weekend
which seems to officially conclude the summer-time routine.
The school calendar affects our lives, all of us. Even if you have been out of school for 30
years, 50 years, or more – our daily routines are different in the summer than
in the school year cycle. It could be as
simple as the morning drop off traffic, watching your speed in school zones, or
the change of merchandise in the stores.
About this time every year, some four weeks before school would begin;
my mother would begin to make the school year preparations. Buying school clothes from the Sears and Roebuck
catalog. One of the best memories of
mine is the yearly ritual of going to the Ben Franklin store on the
square. We’d check the supply list for
our specific teacher. Then we would get
our school supplies.
Ah, the invigoration of that small pencil sharpener, a new ruler, and
the perfection of a new box of crayons.
And when it was finally time for the big 64 crayon box with the
sharpener built in….that was the best.
Band and football practice would soon follow. Then it was the reminder; it is time to start
the school year going to bed times.
Thereafter, the ebb and flow of oatmeal for breakfast, waiting for our
school bus, the weekly check for lunch, etc. would renew the cycle of
life.
And you know what happened next.
Life rushed by. Before you knew
it the Friday nights of football games gave way to the holidays – Thanksgiving
and Christmas!
Well, this is the time in the church year when we transition to the
school year routine. Choir practice will
soon begin. The FROG pad will start up
each Wednesday night. DOE’s will be
meeting on Monday. Practice for the
“Celebration of Lights” will slowly grow in intensity in its preparations. You’ll “turn around once” and the Bazaar
will be happening. Then it is off to the
races.
Let us prayerfully and joyfully, each and all; begin to anticipate with
eager expectation, what God is about to do.
May the joy of a new 64 count box of crayons invigorate your life. Allow the routine of life to guide you in
study, worship, and devotion to the Christ.
We return to church and it’s routine, as people who make Jesus Christ,
the center of all we do.
Watch out, soon we will be thinking…”it’s beginning to look like
Christmas”. And it is as we build in
excitement that Jesus is our hope, life, and focus. Jesus is the reason for the season! Great how it all comes together!!
I think I’ll go get me a box of 64 crayons and a new Bible.
L. Brent
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