My house was a flurry of activity this morning as it was the first day of the new school year. Lindsey is moving up from middle school to junior high and so nerves, anticipation and curiosity were high this morning. Of course, it's not quite cool to admit to that, so when I asked about it, I got the regular 13 year old response of the "rolling of the eyes". However, the backpack was filled with new supplies last night, the "first day of school" outfit was carefully selected...which was quite a dramatic event in and of itself. School night bedtime was adhered to and even the early morning wake up went without a hitch. We picked up a friend of hers that will ride with us in the mornings, which of course, makes your first entrance into junior high so much better.
We are met with new beginnings all throughout our lives. New schools, new churches, new jobs, new relationships. Sometimes our new beginnings are the result of endings. New beginnings fill us with a variety of emotions...anticipation, excitement, fear, dread, nervousness, sadness or happiness...the list could go on and on.
In the school line, I watched the various kids getting out of their parents' cars, some with timid steps and some with bold. It made me think of how I approach new beginnings...and I can honestly say, I've done both.
Linds hopped out of the car, threw her backpack over her shoulders and gave me a quick smile and then never looked back. She and her girlfriend hooked up with another friend, and they walked in together. She was the exact same way in kindergarten. Gave us a quick kiss and was on her merry way.
I'm not quite ready to just "hop" right into my new beginning. My steps are a little timid at the present. But, just as Lindsey had her friends walking with her, I'm blessed to have a treasure trove of family and friends who are walking with me. And I can honestly say, that the timid steps sometimes become bolder and stronger, and I look forward eagerly to the day when these timid baby steps are totally gone.
Today I am grateful for:
1. New beginnings
2. People who care enough to encourage your steps and walk with you when needed
3. Learning from my girls...they both continually teach me lessons in life, and they don't even know it!
