It's prom weekend at our household. We've been counting down the milestones to graduation for several months now. Senior Research Paper, submitted. Advanced Placement Tests, scheduled and paid for. College decisions made, dorm deposit paid. Senior pictures, taken. One step at a time, it's the Beginning of the End.
This is our third time through this drill. Our third child graduating from high school. I know how the whole thing goes.
But I don't like it any better.
Don't get me wrong--I'm excited about our son's future. He's worked hard and gotten into a dream program for a kid with artistic talent and technical know-how.
But a huge part of me likes things just the way they are. As wonderful as the future looks, I like today.
This moment is good. I don't want to move on. I've got my heels dug in.
This whole thing reminds me of our daughter's wedding day, two years ago. One of the best days of my life, it was. Great guy, gorgeous church, fabulous music, darling friends and family gathered from all over. And when the bubbles were blown and they drove away, we kind of melted down for a while.
Drove home in tears, not knowing what to do with ourselves.
Stood around in the living room, knowing we couldn't go to bed without a little bit of resolution, somehow.
So we made ourselves some hot tea. And somebody suggested watching our favorite episode of Planet Earth: deciduous forests.
Because yes, folks, we are just that nerdy. We have a favorite episode of Planet Earth.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqOh2mjNrFs]
I love all the little flowers and ferns that pop out along the way, but the best part for me is the very end of the clip, where the season changes from spring to summer to fall. And you watch the whole world flush red.
The first time I saw this time lapse, I cried. It's like a God's-eye view of the world.
And at times of transition and uncertainty and change, I need the God's-eye view.
I need to know that God is watching over the progress of our lives with love and tender care. He's near at hand, closer than a brother.
I need to know that He is the Creator and Sustainer of everything, doing far more than I would ever dare to ask, think, or even dream.
I need to know that there's beauty in it all, even if I can't see the whole picture from where I stand.
There's a good purpose, a good plan, to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us hope and a future.
I know these words are true, and I believe that they can be trusted.
Even when my little chickies are leaving the nest.