Having said all of that...

While I joyfully embrace the promise of this new year, I find myself equally - perhaps even more - excited about the familiar.

For the first time in seven years, I will not be spending any time this fall unpacking boxes or getting acquainted with new roommates. I returned from vacation on Friday to the same messy closet and sweet roommates I have known for almost a year now. I hurried into church this morning - late as usual - and was immediately greeted by a hug from Jonah, as he proudly proclaimed "I knew you'd come back!" By the time I left church, I had most of my week planned with the usual routine - Monday Girls, choir practice, God Chicks. When I walk into the office tomorrow morning, I will be greeted by my own files (however disorganized), familiar faces framed on my desk, and the friendly family of dustbunnies that has congregated under the conference table.

Much is changing in my small circle of Birmingham friends. Angela is pregnant. Zach and Ellen are engaged. Mayme, Lisa, and Melissa have moved away, and Nate will eventually be on his way too. In spite of all this, I find myself enjoying the unfamiliar feeling of stability. This is the start of my third year in Birmingham. I feel blessed to be able to continue some of the work and many of the relationships that began with GreaterWorks in the fall of 2004. I get a little teary-eyed as I watch the kids at church and see how they have grown and changed - mostly for the better - since we first walked into their Sunday morning youth group. I am overcome with thanksgiving as I am warmly welcomed back into the church congregation that has become my surrogate family.

I have been given so much here, so I know that much is expected of me. Comfort and familiarity can so easily breed the complacency I desperately wish to avoid but so quickly fall into. Stability can start to look a lot like an ugly rut, and I do not want to get stuck. My challenge will be to not just embrace and celebrate that which is new, but to approach my familiar routine and relationships with enthusiastic diligence, to be intentional in my investment of time and energy, to be a humble and thankful steward of all that has been given to me - materially, financially, relationally.

Paul admonished the Corinthians to give generously:
But as you excel in everything -- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you -- see that you excel in this act of grace also. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 2 Corinthians 8:7-11

Lord, if only I could live my life as one big act of grace. As I set out to continue the work that started a year or two ago, I pray that you will give me diligence - whether my desire is strong or weak. Help me to do the work of YouthWorks, of relationships, and of obediently following you with generosity and enthusiasm. Keep me moving forward so I will not get stuck, and when I find myself necessarily standing in place, help me to blossom there.