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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"God Always Has You On His Mind"
August 28, 2008
The headline read "First day brings tears, joy." The larger than life photo in
the Norwich Bulletin featured a picture of Principal Lyn Gandolf hugging
one of her students on the first day of school. Julia Cipriano, a fifth grade
student at Plainfield Memorial School, was all smiles.
I didn't need to read the newspaper to know that the kids were back at
school. The big yellow busses and the clusters of students on every corner
told the tale. As you looked more closely at each group you could see some
of the kids wore ear to ear grins in anticipation of the adventure that was
ahead of them. There were others though, with heads down, chewing on
their nails, that weren't quite sure what to expect.
Do you remember your first day of school? I know I don't remember
mine. It was too long ago. I can tell you that I remember someone else's
first day. It seems like it was just yesterday. In September of 1991 my little
girl went to kindergarten. As she stepped off the bus she became the most
famous person in Norwich for a day. Her picture was captured forever on
the front page of the newspaper and I bought twenty copies.
What that newspaper photo didn't tell you was that Rebecca's mom and
dad got up extra early to make sure our little princess had everything she
needed. We were out at the bus stop at least twenty minutes early. We
waved and cried as she got on that bus with all the other kids. Then we
raced to school so we could be there before she got off the bus just to make
sure everything was going to be alright. I think the first day of school is
always harder on the parents than it is on the kids.
I think the same is true for God. Like a doting parent, God is the one who
is always up before us, watching over us, preparing the way and zooming
ahead of us. While we go from one thing to another, often letting memories
fade into the past as new experiences come along, God is there. He weeps
with us when we are troubled and afraid. He laughs with us when joy fills
our soul. He holds our hand when we need encouragement and he jumps for
glee when we achieve a moment of glory.
The Good News is that there is a picture of each us embedded on God's
heart. Our image stands out for all the world to see just like that front page
picture of Julie in the newspaper this week, and my Rebecca, seventeen
years ago. God loves each and every one of us as if we were his only child.
He has high hopes for us and as we live our lives, God invites us to trust
him and put our faith in him. So let's do just that and make this a memorable
year. Surprise God this Fall and stop in to see Him. School's back in session
and he'll be waiting for you when you come home.
God bless. See you in church. Cal
August 28, 2008
The headline read "First day brings tears, joy." The larger than life photo in
the Norwich Bulletin featured a picture of Principal Lyn Gandolf hugging
one of her students on the first day of school. Julia Cipriano, a fifth grade
student at Plainfield Memorial School, was all smiles.
I didn't need to read the newspaper to know that the kids were back at
school. The big yellow busses and the clusters of students on every corner
told the tale. As you looked more closely at each group you could see some
of the kids wore ear to ear grins in anticipation of the adventure that was
ahead of them. There were others though, with heads down, chewing on
their nails, that weren't quite sure what to expect.
Do you remember your first day of school? I know I don't remember
mine. It was too long ago. I can tell you that I remember someone else's
first day. It seems like it was just yesterday. In September of 1991 my little
girl went to kindergarten. As she stepped off the bus she became the most
famous person in Norwich for a day. Her picture was captured forever on
the front page of the newspaper and I bought twenty copies.
What that newspaper photo didn't tell you was that Rebecca's mom and
dad got up extra early to make sure our little princess had everything she
needed. We were out at the bus stop at least twenty minutes early. We
waved and cried as she got on that bus with all the other kids. Then we
raced to school so we could be there before she got off the bus just to make
sure everything was going to be alright. I think the first day of school is
always harder on the parents than it is on the kids.
I think the same is true for God. Like a doting parent, God is the one who
is always up before us, watching over us, preparing the way and zooming
ahead of us. While we go from one thing to another, often letting memories
fade into the past as new experiences come along, God is there. He weeps
with us when we are troubled and afraid. He laughs with us when joy fills
our soul. He holds our hand when we need encouragement and he jumps for
glee when we achieve a moment of glory.
The Good News is that there is a picture of each us embedded on God's
heart. Our image stands out for all the world to see just like that front page
picture of Julie in the newspaper this week, and my Rebecca, seventeen
years ago. God loves each and every one of us as if we were his only child.
He has high hopes for us and as we live our lives, God invites us to trust
him and put our faith in him. So let's do just that and make this a memorable
year. Surprise God this Fall and stop in to see Him. School's back in session
and he'll be waiting for you when you come home.
God bless. See you in church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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