Today School began for the children and youth of the church.  Yes, a new beginning for everyone, students, teachers, administrators, parents, and grandparents.  One of my favorite hymns is called, "The Hymn of Promise"  written by Natalie Sleeth it is a radical hymn which calls us to see new beginnings as moments of Hope and opportunities for growth in Faith.

In verse 1 she writes, "In the bulb there is a flower, in seed and apple tree, in cocoons a hidden promise butterflies will soon be free in the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be unrevealed until it's season, something God alone can see."  Take a moment and consider the words.  Do you look at each day as a day filled with hopeful anticipation or anxious dispair?  Do you dread each new beginning or do you embrace with a hopeful potential? 

The last line of the hymn (which is repeated after each verse) states unrevealed until it's season, something God alone can see.  Imagine that God has God's eyes on us and sees deeper into our lives than we can ever imagine.  God wants to bring out the best in us as Christ lives in us and thru us.  So this week look for where God wants to reveal Godself to you and in you. Step into your new beginnings with hope and faith.  And realize God seeks to bless you in immeasureable ways and reveal to you the depth of God's love for you, in Christ Jesus.

For in our new beginnings there is a Promise we can not see but will experience when we give Christ our all.  Blessings :-)

Sam