Cool Morning, Fresh Start

For several days now, the sunrise has seemed to me to be behind schedule.  For almost a week, I've been waking up very early each day, and it's been dark.  Grousing quietly to myself, I've been dragging myself from the darkened bedroom to the shower.  While shaving, I've thought about all the things I've needed to do during the day.  A depressingly long list.  Then I've eaten breakfast, filled up on coffee, and slogged into the study to work.  Because of having slept too little, I've dawdled through routine matters, ignoring the big, time-consuming projects that have been piling up.  I don't know why I've felt so unproductive.

But today has been different.  Today, the late sunrise has opened into a beautiful, cool blue sky.  I've dressed in my usual late-summer attire, and as I've walked outside to dump the trash and get the paper, I've been cold.  Cold?  All of a sudden, the autumn has arrived, cool and crisp and full of promise.

Like all the kids heading back to school, I feel suddenly energized and excited about the start of a new fall season.  The church is ready and waiting for everyone who is returning from summer vacations, and the fresh paint and new projects are noticeable everywhere.   We had a great Vacation Bible School this summer, and I hope to see all the kids again soon.  We've begun some amazing mission projects, and I can't wait to talk about them with the people who have been away.  There are new worship ideas, new music, and new education plans in the works.  Last week, record numbers of people brought pets to church, to give thanks for God's creation and love, and we had a great time!  Can't wait to show everyone the pictures!

As the autumn begins, it's not just time to dress more warmly, but also time to shake off the cobwebs, start fresh, and begin a new song!  God is in this place--let's join the adventure!