Beginnings
Linda Soller | Apr 15, 2013
Spring has gotten off to a shaky start here in Northern Virginia. We had been warned winter could be difficult compared to 2012, but that didn’t really materialize for those of us who are closer in to Washington D.C. Most of us felt like our mild winter would naturally translate to a gentle entry in to spring - but no! On the day after Palm Sunday snow arrived, and during the rest of the week the mornings were cold. It still felt like winter. Many of us were left wondering if the warm air would ever arrive. By warm I mean the upper fifties, so you see we weren’t even setting our expectations all that high.
Beginnings are often unpredictable. When it comes to the seasons we have our expectations built on years of experience and naturally, the Farmer’s Almanac. When it comes to new ventures like a new business or a start up organization, we begin with an end result in mind, but we aren’t so clear on what we’ll face at the start. When we head in a new life direction like getting married or starting a family or starting retirement we are focused on the beginning and may not focus on the end goal. Beginnings are just a spoke on the wheel of life.
Recently a good friend and co-worker retired. He is at the beginning of something we all look forward to, a time when we can do what we want when we want. It is an exciting and yet intimidating beginning. It is a beginning that seems further off for most of us than it did to generations before us. It is a beginning that must be planned for and saved for and put in to motion at just the right time.
The beginning of the church was much like the beginning of retirement. It seemed to many followers like a natural transition from all of the ground work laid by Jesus and his disciples. The faithful were anxious to carry on Jesus’ work and excited to spread the word, but they were also hesitant, a little confused about the details, and a touch fearful of what was to come. Though these followers knew the teachings of Jesus they felt the loss of his leadership and likewise their comfort zone. Even the disciples had concerns and some would pay the ultimate price for their role in the beginning of the church. It took perseverance, patience, and faith to move the church from its beginnings to its current status. It has gone through challenges, which must have seemed like starting over to those who lived through them. Today it continues to begin anew, to transition and adjust to meet the needs of the world while spreading the word that endures.
Spring officially came, the air slowly warmed and the next thing you know I will be whining about the heat of summer. My friend’s retirement has officially begun and is new enough that it still can be called a beginning. The season of graduations, weddings, and vacations is upon us. Aren’t beginnings wonderful!
Have a great week :o) Linda
