Transitions

Here we are at the eight year mark of 9-11. Eight years ago, I was waking the children up for home school, only two of them were in school at the time. The girls were having a hard time waking up, so I turned the TV on in their room (they don't have a TV in their room anymore...not big TV watchers) to catch the weather. I was shocked to find that there had been a plane that had crashed into one of the two towers. (I had actually been up one of the towers on a visit to New York...pretty amazing. Snowing at the top and not at street level.) Matt Lauer and Katie Couric were trying to sort out what was happening and while we sat and listened, the second plane flew into the other building. Couldn't believe my eyes. I remember Matt Lauer saying at one point, while everyone else was discussing what what going on, "We have to remember that there are people in there, some on the planes, and some just showing up for work in the buildings." Very sobering. Silence. I was one of those people who could hardly take my eyes off what was happening in NYC that day. My chest tightens up right now just thinking about it.

Change. Transition. Sometimes, the change comes on so slight that we don't even notice it unless we take the time to look back and reflect. Other times, like 9-11, it comes on quick, sudden, alarming and we may not even know what to do next. My parents are living with the change in what they are able to do physically. It is frustrating for them....the change that time and other ailments brings. A young couple that we know just had their first foster placements, a 6 mos and 18 mos. old girls. Whew!!! A phone call and a couple of hours later two children. Marriage. Being fired or laid off. Divorce. Children going away to college. Learning a new skill. Not remembering like you used to. Loss. Starting a new job. We all have them....times of change. Through them all, He promises to go with us. The young wife of the couple that had the foster children placed with them quoted Exodus 33. I love it, for just like Moses, we all face new challenges, callings, change, transitions (ones we look forward to and ones that are hard). Here are the words of that conversation spoken so long ago....

12-13 Moses said to God, "Look, you tell me, 'Lead this people,' but you don't let me know whom you're going to send with me. You tell me, 'I know you well and you are special to me.' If I am so special to you, let me in on your plans. That way, I will continue being special to you. Don't forget, this is your people, your responsibility."
14 God said, "My presence will go with you. I'll see the journey to the end."

Thanks to my young friend for the reminder of this scripture. Thanks to our Father whose "...presence will go with you. I'll see the journey to the end." That is very comforting.