Yesterday was the first day of me not going to some form of school since, roughly, kindergarten.  Yesterday was lovely.  It was hard, but it was still lovely.  Yesterday we packed up and drove to town, stopped for donuts and sweet comments from old sweet men and old sweet ladies He is such a little man, he is so quiet and so happy.  We went to Costco (this is my life) and then we sang through all the animals ever made who, yesterday, lived on Old Macdonald's farm because little man was not so quiet and happy on the long drive home.

It's a new season.

And it is overwhelmingly full of good things.  A wise friend told me to be very picky about my yeses during this time.  Another wise woman told me that every season is marked with the ends of some friendships and the beginnings of new ones and that this is not only ok, it is healthy, it is a sign of growth.  Pastor challenged us to think about the Spirit and grace, not sin and the law.  And husband took me for a day in the city where he pushed me into every changing room and put everything he could find in my arms.

But even better than wise words and an armful of new, pretty things is this reminder from Paul: Scripture is God-breathed and Scripture leaves me fully equipped for every good work, even parenting.  Especially parenting.  When I take time to get alone with The Book, when I stretch myself out next to it and bolster what needs bolstered, quiet what needs quieted, my prayers simplify, my heart focuses, my resolve tightens.

It's a new season.

I could fill my time with all the yeses in the world, hang onto friendships that take time from my little part in building The Kingdom; I could spend myself completely on the law and rules.  Or, I could aspire to live quietly, I could memorize and pray and speak Scripture, I could spend the morning on the floor with a little soul, chase the green ball around the house, play the low notes while he pounds out the high ones, let him collapse on my shoulder while I sing him to sleep He's got the whole world in His hands.  I could stand over his crib and pray the same words I have been praying for months Jesus, let this be one day closer to Him loving you.


And I could celebrate, really see this season for what it is: a gift not many are given.  Time with my child.  The teacher in me is happy to bow down to the mom who is still being birthed, happy to honor the time, emotion, space this little man takes.  Because there are Paul's words, there are the wise women who have gone before, and there is the unlimited potential of a child who knows he is loved by his Maker.

This is the most exciting lesson I will have taught.