We were excited as we decorated the office for our Christmas Party Club! Lights in the doorways, the Christmas tree in the corner, huge stockings stuffed with ornaments for a game, poinsettias, golden globes hanging from the ceiling, and the smell of freshly made popcorn, welcomed the children on the day of the club. The children caught the mood and enthusiastically participated in the games. Even a 12-year-old girl said she liked the games we chose. Then there was the craft, the songs and the Christmas lesson, cookie decorating, a movie with popcorn, and cookies and hot chocolate. This is the second year we chose to have a Christmas Party Club for 4 hours. The time flew by so quickly!
Now the calendar has turned, and another year begins. Believe it or not, now we start to plan for the summer. Although we still have the spring Good News Clubs, it is not too early to begin planning camp songs, crafts, and the extra special things that make camp exciting.
Life is a cycle of beginnings and endings. Beginnings and endings can be fun and exciting, or sad and remorseful. But in between the high emotions of the beginnings and endings is the mundane. Even in the mundane, however, we know that God has made everything beautiful in its time (Ecc. 3:11). I am so thankful God has given us beginnings because I think they help us to re-focus, to recommit, and to refresh. Then during the mundane we can agree with Solomon that there is nothing better than to be joyful and to do good as long as we live (Ecc. 3:12). And when the ending comes, may we be able to say with Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Loving God, whether our experience in life is in a beginning, mundane period, or ending right now, help us to thank you, find the beauty in it, and finish well.
Linda
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