I don't usually require much in the way of a reminder to keep it in the forefront of my mind that life is always changing, always shifting, always new.
Today is the last full day of school for the '10-'11 year. Tomorrow, after a full morning of picking up report cards, tearful children, happy teachers and sugary breakfast foods at the school, we will return home and suddenly shift into summer vacation mode. I'm not quite sure what that will "look like" this year and that makes me nervous. Schedule shifts. Routine shifts.
Tuesday of last week I contemplated turning on the heat. It was 50 degrees here and we were freezing. Just 3 days later we were playing in kiddie pools, sprinklers, and the littles were telling me how they were "too hot" in the 90 degree heat. Temperature shifts.
I think of all the victims of the false prophet Harold Camping, who sold or gave away everything, sent him all their money and fully believed that Saturday evening was going to be the rapture date and time. Believing a man to the point of major life alterations, lifestyle and livelihood changes, and then POOF. It's 6:01pm and you're still here. Belief shifts. Faith shifts.
Plans you have for your life, for your family, for the future... no matter how many times you try not to have expectations...you still do, and then one day something comes along that changes everything. Hope shifts.
I suppose when things shift to a place we aren't comfortable with, we should take comfort that this- or at least our feelings- is likely only temporary. Like they used to say in Colorado, if you don't like the weather - just wait 5 minutes.
I suppose we should take comfort knowing that only the Lord knows the plans He has for us... and our plans may only prove to be heartache if we get too attached and then ...that inevitable shift happens.
Sometimes it's something as silly as the weather, other times it's something heartbreaking like a dream you have to let go of.
Sometimes everyone shifts over on the bench to make room for one more person. Other times the earth shifts, buildings collapse and tsunamis wreak havoc on the land.
Today is the last full day of school for the '10-'11 year. Tomorrow, after a full morning of picking up report cards, tearful children, happy teachers and sugary breakfast foods at the school, we will return home and suddenly shift into summer vacation mode. I'm not quite sure what that will "look like" this year and that makes me nervous. Schedule shifts. Routine shifts.
Tuesday of last week I contemplated turning on the heat. It was 50 degrees here and we were freezing. Just 3 days later we were playing in kiddie pools, sprinklers, and the littles were telling me how they were "too hot" in the 90 degree heat. Temperature shifts.
I think of all the victims of the false prophet Harold Camping, who sold or gave away everything, sent him all their money and fully believed that Saturday evening was going to be the rapture date and time. Believing a man to the point of major life alterations, lifestyle and livelihood changes, and then POOF. It's 6:01pm and you're still here. Belief shifts. Faith shifts.
Plans you have for your life, for your family, for the future... no matter how many times you try not to have expectations...you still do, and then one day something comes along that changes everything. Hope shifts.
I suppose when things shift to a place we aren't comfortable with, we should take comfort that this- or at least our feelings- is likely only temporary. Like they used to say in Colorado, if you don't like the weather - just wait 5 minutes.
I suppose we should take comfort knowing that only the Lord knows the plans He has for us... and our plans may only prove to be heartache if we get too attached and then ...that inevitable shift happens.
Like the bumper sticker says ... "shift happens" or something like that ;)
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