END OF THE YEAR
Prayer: God, We are so glad that we are coming to summertime with a change of pace!! We look forward to more time with You and enjoying Your wonderful creation! Please renew our strength and enthusiasm and vision for the year ahead. We love You. Amen.
Scripture: There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven–Ecclesiastes 3:1 NASB
The sign on the classroom door read, “Taking off for summer.” I know that it meant that there would not be any classes, that the organization was closed for the summer, but of course my mind wandered elsewhere. “Taking off!” To me, it gave images of a launching, a celebrated beginning not an ending. When a rocket is launched it is only after years of construction, research, education, experiments, decisions, training and much more. Does this sound like anything you are familiar with?
You have spent the year doing all of these things, educating, experimenting, training, etc… and for those of you who teach a grade that is promoting to the next level of education, such as seniors going to work or college, this is a true launching point in their lives. Fifth or sixth graders going to Middle school or Junior High, eighth or ninth grade blasting off to High school. It is an exciting time of new adventures, new things to do and learn. Like I said, it is a beginning, not a stopping point.
What about for you? I know many educators who have summer jobs. I know of two particular teachers who go to a different state and serve some of the best bar-b-que in the whole world all summer and then close down and go back to school. It is a total change of pace; they meet lots of interesting people and make some extra money. Some of you will travel, spend some much needed time with family, get married, have a baby, move to a new city, or get some projects done. Take a chance, stretch, do something you have always wanted to do but have only excuses to keep you from it. Write a book, take a class, create something, try a new hobby, skydive, climb a mountain, go on a mission trip, the sky’s the limit! God loved us so much that He gave us this big amazing world with breathtaking sights to see, wonderful people to meet, magnificent things to taste! Look at your list of excuses and then realize there are scholarships, grants and sponsors out there to help. You have friends and family who have dreams and together you can help one another to make these dreams a reality. Summer is a time to rest but there is no time to waste – remember, our days have been determined, so be determined to make the most of them! My prayer for you is that you begin your countdown to summer and “TAKE OFF!”
“How did it get so late so soon? It is night before it is afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness, how the time has flown. How did it get so late so soon?” Dr. Seuss.
Copyright Kathy Branzell. Email [email protected]