The Beginning of the End

I only have three weeks left on internship. In three weeks I will be saying tearful goodbyes to the staff, packing up as much as I can into my little Subaru, and driving cross country once again. It all snuck up on me. I've been so busy this past month with King's Fest (we took a group to a Christian music festival at King's Dominion Amusement Park) and then vacation at NYC which promised to be both relaxing and draining for various reasons. All of this activity has been the cause for the lack of blogging lately so sorry to those who so faithfully read.

But now I find myself back and trying to process the fact that I only have 21 short days left. I'm in the middle of trying to write my final sermon and for whatever reason, I don't know what to say. Maybe part of me doesn't want to write it because it seems so final. I wonder if this is how JK Rowling felt as she penned the last sentence in Harry Potter (which I just finished but I promise I'm not saying a thing!). Ends always bring mourning and reflection.

I don't know if I would have done much differently. The things that I failed at (a couple of sermons that weren't up to par, budget issues with King's Fest, scheduling snafus) gave me a wonderful opportunity to learn. The things I've been able to shine with (the new youth worship service/fellowship time, the young adults group, various other sermons) have given me vindication in my call to ministry. All in all this experience has taught me that I am indeed pursuing the right career for my life.

There are a lot of us going through transitions out there whether we are making a big move, planning on starting classes, starting or ending a relationship, taking on a new job, or taking a chance at life. In the end I remember that we have a God who promises to watch over us throughout this journey. Today, as we were picking out lessons for my final sermon someone suggested Psalm 121, one of my favorites:

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night
The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Here I am reminded that God's love and grace will follow me all of my days, no matter where my journey leads me. As I head home, I remember that no matter where I am and how I have grown and changed, that God's love for me has not changed whether I'm looking up at the lakes of MN, the wooded streets of Charlotte, the mountains of Colorado, the olive trees of Israel, or the vineyards of Italy.