This year, though, I just have to say, "See you later!" I've been given the opportunity to loop with my class into fifth grade, which means that when the fall comes, we get to continue building on our work together. I'm so excited for the relational and educational benefits of spending two years with the same group of children and their families. As I often function as "human-velcro," the idea of looping with this class makes my heart happy.
I was thinking about this tendency of mine to kind of stick to people and circumstances. I'm imagining that you can relate to the great dislike and fear of having to let go. The imagery of velcro is really pretty accurate. Velcro is this genius idea that is so simple and so useful. It's like magic for the toddler who longs to independently put on their own shoes and it is useful in countless other applications. In the human heart, though, this tendency of ours to be stuck, to be held together, to be kept isn't actually something that begins with us. It's all about God.
This spring our church has been working our way through the book of Jude. It's this odd little book jammed at the end of the scriptures, and in my mind it's been overshadowed by the longer, and easier to navigate epistles. For a long time Jude was only a place where I turned on my way to somewhere else in the New Testament. As we've worked through Jude together, I have been struck by the truths and encouragement hidden in this little letter.
One of the major themes that we've covered in the past Sundays of study is the idea of being kept. Right from the beginning of the letter, Jude refers to his readers as those who are "kept by God in Christ." Even as he moves on to call the readers to contend for their faith - to put their faith to work and dwell in it richly, he starts by reminding them Who will be keeping them. It's that same velcro-like image - we're His and He will be faithful to hold us, to bind us, to stick us immoveable to Him. How encouraging in the moments when my faith is small and my heart is full of doubt and insecurity and pride. How encouraging to know that God is keeping me. He is faithful.
In less than I week I will be headed to my summer home in Haiti. I will be with people I know and love and will get to share life with them for the summer. I will also be getting to connect with new friends in new, farther-out places. I'm excited and nervous about what this summer will look like. In my human-velcro state, I want to cling to dear ones in New Hampshire and don't want to leave the familiarity and comfort of life here. But I also know that in the past, each time I have been faced with moments that bring out the faithlessness and doubt of my heart, God has proven Himself faithful. He has kept me.
I'm looking forward to sharing all about God's faithfulness this summer! As I'll be in far-out places for some of the summer, my communications may be more sporadic than in the past. When I have opportunity and connectivity, though, I will be sure to share how God is demonstrating Himself as the One who keeps His own. Much love and thankfulness for your willingness to follow along with me during this summer in Haiti! Love in Christ, Jessie
