Ah, the stuff of summer…

Vacations and family reunions. Trips to the library and hot afternoons spent at the neighborhood pool. Slices of watermelon and sweet, juicy peaches. Sleeping in and playing outside till dark. Snow cones and homemade ice cream.

It feels to me like school just let out, but my grandkids are already itching for new pencils, backpacks, and back-to-school swag. Many of my teacher and administration friends have returned to classrooms and workshops to prepare for the academic year.

Mamas and daddies? Well, summer has been a grand ol’ time, but everyone is just about ready for a nice routine and a reliable rhythm. An endless summer sounds great in May, but the shine may have worn off by the end of July.

If the kids in your life are as eager as the kids in mine are about the upcoming school year, the wait is almost over! In the next week or two, the bell will ring, and excited, nervous chatter will fill hallways and classrooms. Months of planning will begin to pay off as teachers finally get to implement their strategies for educating “their” students. Kiddos from pre-K to high school seniors will see new faces and reconnect with old friends.

Day #1 is circled large on calendars all over the country. The highly anticipated start of the new school year is a matter of days away. Excitement (and a few first day jitters) is running high.

As a follower of Jesus who greatly anticipates not the first day of school, but eternity with Him, I’m anxious to see God’s promises fulfilled! I’m overjoyed for the Day when all tears are wiped away and mourning ceases forever. I’m looking forward to when I’ll no longer “see but a poor reflection as in a mirror” – I’ll actually “see face to face” the entirety of Who God is!

My grandkids start lots of conversations with, “Did you know…?” So I’ll take a tactic from them and ask you this: Did you know that while we won’t see the fullness of God until heaven’s New Earth is established, our eternity actually begins at the moment we accept the forgiveness of sins that only Jesus Christ offers? Giving Jesus your “yes” opens the door of your heart to the Holy Spirit, Who immediately takes up residence within you.

And the adventure begins! Suddenly, the Word begins to make sense! You feel the Holy Spirit’s conviction when you veer off the path. By His power, you experience progress in areas where you’ve previously only experienced failure.

Best of all, you know deep down in your bones that you’re truly, deeply, perfectly loved by your Savior, and there’s a new longing to know Him, follow Him, and spend forever with Him.

Have you experienced Day #1 of your eternity with Jesus? I celebrate my “birthday” into new life with Him every year. If that’s a new concept to you or one you’ve been wrestling with, may I ask you to thoughtfully consider these verses and then reach out to a Christian friend or family member to learn more about life with Jesus?

“…For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...” – Romans 3:23

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

“…If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” – Romans 8:1-2

These verses are the verses that will lead you to Day #1 of your new life in Christ. That’s why you’ll always be able to find them at the bottom of the home page of the “November Roses” website. You don’t have to wait for your own Day #1 – it can happen today! And I pray it does!