There She Goes...

Well, Ashleigh Marie Newell is now officially a freshman at Charleston Southern University. Move-in day was yesterday, and it was surprisingly smooth. There are flat, open grassy areas next to the freshmen ladies' dorms, so we could pull the cars near the entrance. The football team and marching band were all there to help new arrivals carry things into their rooms. Ashleigh's roommate, Kerriann, met us soon after we parked and grabbed some of her marching band buddies to help us. We were unloaded in about 10 minutes. We spent a little time getting the major items arranged in the room (microwave, coffee pot, bed, etc.). Ashleigh is the new keyboard player for Elevate (the campus worship band), so a couple of those guys popped in to help us move her equipment to their storage area. We ate lunch together at The Caf, filled her car up with gas, gave her some extra cash and said our goodbyes.

I'll admit that leaving her there was the tough part. From the moment we almost lost her at birth, I have understood that Ashleigh does not belong to Cindy and me. She belongs to God, and we were only caretakers for a period of time. She is ready to fly, and to follow the path that God has set before her. Knowing that fact is the biggest comfort, but we are human and will readily admit to shedding many tears on the way back, even John choked up a little when he hugged her goodbye. Jessica? She just wants to know when she can have her sister's bedroom with the private bathroom. Sorry, kid... ain't happenin'.

So, off we go to the next chapter in life. It will be different, but good. Although, it's going be more than a little strange when the 1030 band takes the stage in the morning to lead worship and you-know-who is not behind the keyboards on my left...

It's The Same Sky

It's no secret that I love Massachusetts, specifically, Cape Cod. One of my favorite things about the Cape is the sky. Whether it's watching the sunset over Cape Cod Bay, or catching a sunrise over the North Atlantic, the colors are spectacular. A few years ago as we watched the sunset at Campground beach, Uncle Peter remarked that no two sunsets are ever the same. You know, he's right. They are each unique and have been known to draw applause from the neighbors gathered by the shore each evening.

One Sunday morning, a couple of weeks ago, Cindy and I were doing the "get out the kinks after the long run" workout before church. As we ran through Elisha Park we came up over the hill where the path turns back toward the east. The sun had just begun to rise but had not quite peeked over the treeline. I looked up and noticed the colors, reds, yellows, oranges, a tinge of purple... "Oh, wow!", was my spontaneous response, "how beautiful." As we made our way back home, I did some thinking about that sunrise, and I realized that the view was just as beautiful as any on the Cape. As a matter of fact, all things being equal, the Cape sunrise that same morning was likely just as stunning. Then the most elementary of all concepts struck me anew... it's the same sky.... in Massachusetts and in South Carolina.... it's the same sky... I'm the one that moved.

Isn't my relationship with God just like that in a way? He is there, always. Same location. Same beauty. Same power. Same love, mercy and grace. The view seems different because I was the one who moved. He is perpetual. I am intermittent.