Tip of My Iceberg

It’s that time of the year when kids are preparing to return to school, some with eager anticipation, others with significant dread. Our grands are going back in waves because all the states aren’t on the same school system.

Those complaining now because they have to return will be ecstatic when they end earlier in May. Those still luxuriating in another week or two of freedom will rue the day when they’re still in school come June.

It’s a lose/lose situation.

Or win/win if you’re the excited parents waiting for school to begin.

Orlando and Colorado are on a similar schedule. So the first days of school reflected similar experiences.

Beck, entering second grade, had had the chance recently to be a ringbearer at a wedding, with all the appropriate attire. He commented, “I think I’m going to wear the bow tie so I look good.” And he did.

Kolly and Thea began preschool, Kolly in pre-kindergarten and Thea beginning her school journey. Both were excited about the new journey; both made friends and decided to go back the next day.

Brooklyn, Mason, and Nolan are all at the same school together this year. Easier for mom and dad, and agreeably a fun time for all three. These three enjoy school, which is a wonder to me.

Isley, Ryken, and Cal are anticipating full years, with theater and soccer. And Isley is finally getting her driver’s license. Her parents are thrilled with that.

Each child is excited about these new beginnings.

New beginnings aren’t always grand. Or appreciated.

Everyone knows the story of Noah’s ark. What many don’t realize is why the floods happened. It was because the world had gone wrong. “The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry He had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke His heart.” Genesis 6:5-6.

The messiness of humanity had tipped the scales; God was sorry He had created people. His heart was hurting because His creation had turned its back on Him.

The ark held only eight people: Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives. And a boatload of animals: two of every unclean animal, and seven pairs of every clean animal. Water-dwelling creatures and most insects would survive outside the ark. It’s estimated that there were about 6,700 animals on the ark.

What God did was a massive reset for humanity, giving them a fresh start with a small family that actually had faith in Him. It wasn’t a cosmic mistake; God had given mankind the ability to make choices, and people had chosen their way instead of God’s. The slippery slope of their misconduct and wrongdoing led to increasingly bad behavior. God decided to reboot His world. He chose to make a covenant with Noah.

“Yes, I am confirming My covenant with you. Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth….I have placed My rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of My covenant with you and with all the earth….Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life.” Genesis 9:11-13.

It was a new beginning, a chance to start fresh. Noah and his family didn’t do it all right–bad choices were still made, wrongdoing was still an issue. But God promised them He would never destroy the world with a flood again.

With the new school year beginning, there are chances to do things well. Keep up with homework, listen to teachers, and treat others the way you’d want to be treated. It doesn’t mean the year will go perfectly; it does mean opportunities will present themselves to make right choices.

Because we’re loved by Jesus, we can make every day a fresh beginning.