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Seasons, Pre-School, and Dorm Rooms

8/24/2011

2 Comments

 
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It's HOT outside! I mean really, really, really, HOT! I'm ready for fall to move in and cool things down. I like the different seasons. I like to experience them all, and thankfully in Texas we get to. Sometimes we get to experience two or three in one day!  
I have heard people say, "I hate winter! I wish it could be summer all year round." My answer to that is, "Move! I'm tired of this heat, and I'm ready for a CHANGE!" Change can be good, but it can also be difficult. 

The picture above is one of my ALL TIME favorites! It is a picture of my two oldest sons, Braden and Dawson. It displays their personalities perfectly. They have always been incredibly close, and love each other very much. I have loved watching them grow up together.  Great memories and moments. This picture reminds me of a time in my life when I began to realize and experience change with my own kids. Seasons. 

It was around this time when Braden began PreSchool. I remember the first day like it was yesterday. Donna and I drove him to Winiecki's Waddlers in Bryant, AR! We knew the owners, Joe and Diane. They were GREAT people. I remember Donna getting  Braden ready that morning. He had a new shirt, shorts, shoes, and a "packpack." She is an amazing Mom and has always made sure everything was just right for them as they embarked on ANY new adventure.  

We drove him to the school. He was almost 4 years old, and it was the first time in his life that he would be away like that for a full day. It was new. It was change. I remember him being  very apprehensive and nervous. So was I. Donna and I got him settled and slipped away. I snuck around the corner of the building, and watched as he began to walk around on the playground. He knew no one. My heart ached for him. I wanted to run out there and help him meet kids, feel more comfortable, and play with him myself.  But we had to let him learn and grow. We had to let go. I can still see that little guy climbing the slide, playing, finding his way. So cautious. I cried. He was growing up. At least he would be home at the end of the day, and we could play,  watch Lion King, and hang out.We left the pre-school. I cried some more. Just like this hot summer will eventually turn to fall, our lives change and evolve as well. 

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As you can see, those two little guys grew up. Then this past week we took that "little guy" (not so little anymore) that we dropped off at Preschool 14 years ago, went to college. We were moving him into school on a Wednesday, so I was determined to squeeze every moment out of life on Monday and Tuesday. I hugged him. I made sure I spent time with him. I listened. I soaked up every moment of those two days, because I knew on Wednesday Change was coming. 

Wednesday came and we loaded up his car and our suburban to move him into his dorm room. I cut carpet and moved stuff into his room while Donna worked inside. I love watching Donna care for our kids. No one can care for a child like their Mom. She worked hard to get everything just right in his room. When we all went to eat lunch, she stayed. She wanted to make sure he was ready. She did the same thing 14 years ago before Preschool, and she did the same preparation 18 years ago before he was born. We tried to soak up every moment, but no matter how we tried to extend it...the day had to come to an end. Change was inevitable. Again I felt like swooping in and making sure everything was Ok, and once again I realized he would have to find his way. I cried. This time he wouldn't be home at the end of the day. No games. No movies. No hanging out. I cried some more. Summer was turning to fall. Seasons Change.

The wisest man to ever live, other than Jesus Christ, said in Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Seasons will change. Summer will turn to fall, and fall will turn to winter. We will drop our kids off at Preschool. We will move kids into college dorm rooms.  We will experience unexpected change as well. Solomon understood that time keeps ticking, and things always change. He also understood, after learnng the hard way, that we have been given the chance to live out each moment well as time ticks away. We can enjoy each tick of the clock and recognize it is a gift from God. 

The day after we moved Braden into college, I found myself wanting things to stay the same. I felt like the people who always want it to be summer. I was regretting, wishing, and feeling more sad than I should have. The truth was that Braden going to college is a GREAT thing. It's the change that needs to happen to move him to where God wants him to be next. I have to realize that every moment I have had with him and my other three other kids to this point is a gift. Every moment I get to spend with them in the future is a gift too. A gift from God. James 1:17 says, "Every good and perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, (watch this part) who DOES NOT CHANGE like shifting shadows." Isn't that awesome?!? In a world and life that is constantly changing, God never changes! The Bible says that He was the same yesterday, today, and He will be the same tomorrow. We can count on him to be the steady Rock we need when our lives shift and evolve from day to day. We simply have to believe in Him and Trust Him. You can do that right now. Just call on Him. Ask Him to guide you through the changing seasons of your life. He will. 

The seasons in Texas can change rapidly. Our lives can feel that way too. Sometimes the outcome is not what we desired, and we long for the "better days." Remember that you have a Heavenly Father that is steady. You have a Father that does miracles and wonders in your life daily. You have a Father you can trust no matter how quickly things change. That same wise man named Solomon said in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure everything out on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will  keep you on track." 

Be blessed today! As we continue to walk by complete faith, we appreciate your financial support. Checks can be made out to weDIGit and sent to 504 Tumbleweed, Forney, TX. 75126. Thank you in advance for your support. You can also give by clicking the "Donate" tab to the right. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook too, and let's all look forward to what God is going to do in our lives in the seasons ahead. 

2 Comments
YOUR FRIEND
8/25/2011 05:15:59 am

Dude great blog bro. Wording picturing and imagining all in the same blog post. Keep steppin bro keep believing bro keep trusting bro.

Complete Holyness is coming!!

Holla

Reply
Kevin Adams link
9/4/2011 06:36:23 am

Steven, with only a glace i really like what you guys have embarked upon - seems that God is moving in a big way in your work/ministry - I rejoice with you. Your post reminds me of the difference between the truth and facts (something the world sees as interchangeable). But facts change - like people do, the truth never does just as God never does. Fact: in 1950 cigarette smaking was good for you - even prescribed by doctors - Fact 1980 Cigarettes cause cancer - what a difference 30 years make. God's word said exactly the same thing in both of those years and always will. Your post is a great reminder - thanks! Appreciate you and your words -lets stay in touch. Blessings

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    Steven & Donna Carroll are 26 year veterans of student ministry, people development, and conference production & speaking. They are called to awaken others to the truth as they are awakened themselves by the Holy Spirit! 

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