By His Grace: Let's Take a Break

"And yet, term after term, the unbelievable happened. Fantastical and astronomical figures like 'this time in six weeks' shrank into practicable figures like 'this time next week,' and then 'this time tomorrow,' and the almost supernatural bliss of the Last Day punctually appeared."

Thursday was hardly educational. It was, after all, the Last Day that C.S. Lewis describes and throughout the school all the creatures were stirring, down to the very last mouse. Even we teachers could barely contain our excitement as we waited for that final bell.

Hopefully that doesn't come as a surprise to too many readers: yes, it's true that teachers enjoy Christmas break as well and we, the Dossetts, are not any different. We're crazy excited about getting the chance to sleep in and relax at home. We plan on watching movies and eating Christmas peanut butter balls. Also, we've got plans to check out every district in Vienna and find unique historical sites / cafes / etc. in each one. Even more exciting, one of Caleb's closest friends, Marjun, is in town and we are going to have the chance to hang out with him a lot! Christmas Eve is going to be romantic and peaceful - we're all praying for snow of course.

As you can see, we won't be bored over break and yet, we feel a little hesitant about jumping into these next few weeks without asking for prayer first. You see, it's amazing to reconnect with old friends - but nostalgia comes with that experience and with the nostalgia, the floodgates open and all sorts of emotions spill over. After all, it is Christmas . . .

We miss our parents and grandparents and brothers and best friends and cousins and aunts and uncles and Oakley (Caleb's family's puppy). That's undeniable and Tuesday is looming - who even knows what Wednesday morning will bring as far as emotions go.

And still . . . there's something nagging at the back of our minds. I think it's hope; it's confidence in the hope that God offers his children.

Caleb & Marjun in Middle School

Caleb & Marjun now

Confidence that if a friendship in the Spirit can last as long as this one and be as fruitful despite the lengthy intermissions, then it will be the same with the others that we give to God. He's blessed us with this opportunity to serve and time will end up being of very little consequence. The Last Day always comes, no matter how distant it may seem at the beginning. In the meantime, the Present Days are indisputably vital - the Christian life is one of serving in the Now.

So, even though we would like prayer for Peace and Joy this Christmas, we would like to rejoice with you all in God's goodness and majesty. Look at all these kiddos. We've been serving them for only a little while and already it's been so fruitful.

2nd Grade