Beginning again

Today was the first day of the fall semester for faculty; we were in meetings all day (and will continue to be in various meetings) for the remainder of the week. Freshman arrived last Saturday for their week of orientation (my sweet husband helped unload cars, carry boxes, climb stairs, etc. at the freshman dorms all day); classes for all students begin on Monday.

Life is a constant cycle of beginnings and endings, and both bring challenges and opportunities.

The challenge today was leaving Grace again after a nice, long summer at home with her and with Luke. I almost made it to the door today before I felt the tears. Her babysitter provides very good care, and we are blessed to have her. But . . . the stay-at-home mom vs. working away from home battle is waged in no more violent a place than in my own heart.

I will end this with one of my favorite Thomas Merton prayers:

"My Lord, God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you."

Blessings,
Jana