Mr. Jack Cowen delivered the Children’s Sermon on this past Sunday (did a fine job of it, too), and as a sort of icebreaker question, Mr. Jack asked the children, “Are you ready to go back to school?” The older kids knew the right answer, “No!” But leave it to the pastor’s kids to be different. My girls, there may have been others but I only take the blame for mine, offered up that they were very much excited about school starting. They haven’t been in school long enough to become jaded about it. They haven’t had worn-out teachers or long testing sessions or a real hard-case English professor. They’re excited because this year is new.
I know many of you are educators by profession. Many of us still plan our calendars, our rhythms around the school year. Summer still sounds like break time even though I still come into the office in the dog days of July and August. Spring break sounds exciting even though I haven’t had one in ten years. And when the new school year starts, I get excited. Maybe you do, too? Maybe you find yourself oddly optimistic, eager for a new adventure.
Maybe, at First Baptist, we have more of that spirit about us. Several of you have mentioned the “feeling of optimism” in the church. My hope is that the spirit of excitement that you’ve been growing doesn’t fade as we go through this next year together. My hope for our church is the same hope I have for our daughters. I hope this year is full of challenges overcome, new friends to make, memories to share, and the ever-increasing fullness that comes from learning. Let’s keep about us that spirit of joy and eagerness as we meet together this Sunday to bless the backpacks and see out the last of summer at our Sundae Sunday ice cream social. I hope to see you there to mark the passing of the season and honor the excitement of a new year together!