Even though it’s been over a decade since I graduated High School, I still remember that feeling of the first day of school like it was yesterday…
- Freshly stocked book-bag
- New haircut
- 40 lb. math textbook that would primarily serve as a prop
- Class schedule laminated to the front of my notebook with a special note from my mom reminding me that no matter what those girls at school thought of me, I’d always be #1 in her book
Although I’ve graduated and grown up into “real life”, I’m reliving the back-to-school feeling this week. After receiving the call earlier in the year to help with a church plant, the time has finally arrived to transition out from the church where I’ve served the past several years, and begin from square one at my new outpost.
Yesterday, I had my first day in the offices of Next Level Church, and the back-to-school moments were nearly endless:
#1 - Though I didn’t get to scope out where the “cool table” was in the cafeteria, I did partake in a staff meeting to the backdrop of the lunch rush at Chick-Fil-A.
That’s right… for those of you unacquainted with robshep.com‘s weekly Next Level Church updates, being in the early stages of the church plant means not having office space yet… hence meeting in a local fast-food restaurant with free Wi-Fi. There were no food fights, but the attendant did put a little extra gusto into his delivery when tossing me a complimentary after-dinner mint.
#2 -I did not get to ride a fancy yellow bus, but I was given personal chauffeur service from one campus to another, i.e. I was driven from Chick-Fil-A to Chipotle in Rob’s VW. Again, you can’t beat the deal these people give you on office space.
#3 - Though I didn’t catch up and swap summer vacation tales with friends, I did swap conspiracy theories with Rob about how in the world Team Ricky took down Team Rob in the 2nd Annual Blogging All-Star Challenge. It’s kind of hard to explain, but long-story short- there was a second shooter.
In all seriousness, there was definitely an excitement in my first day on the job that can only be compared to that “first day of school” feeling. There was a buzz in the air serving as a reminder that God is at work in brand new ways. There was an eagerness to dig in and get dirty doing something for the first time, and to learn what God has in store. There was a nervousness to leave the familiar, traveling from the nostalgic into what God has planned next.
And I’d have it no other way. I’m grateful this week to walk into a new adventure, held up on the shoulders of those who have loved me and graciously allowed me to walk into this new season, full of anticipation about what the future holds.
Do you remember the “first day of school” feeling? Any first day memories that you specifically recall?
