Last week Kate and I went down to her college in Nashville for her orientation. It's such a bittersweet experience to be sending her off soon. I am sure many of you know the feeling. As I process all of this, I am confident with where she is heading yet there is a layer, be it thin, of uncertainty. And what is so cool is how faithful God is. While we were away I had a divine appointment that confirmed for me that Kate is going where she is suppose to be for this next step and gave me peace.
What happened was, during Kate's orientation, there was a time when the students went off on their own while the parents had a guided tour. The parents visited the school that our kids will be attending, and a guide was assigned to each group of parents to lead us around that afternoon. When my tour guide's name was announced, it caused me to pause. Her name was Naima. This may not mean much to you but it meant everything to me.
When Kate was a baby my aunt gifted me a lullaby cd (yes, a cd!) and I played it a lot. I mean a lot - a lot. It was on every day and the first song was played what seemed to be on repeat in our home. And the title of the first song on the cd is "Naima!"
The name Naima means contentedness, traquility, blessing.
As Kate and I took separate paths that day, I felt like God placed my guide, Naima, along my path as a confirmation that Kate is where she needs to be and in doing so blessed me contentedness and tranquility about this next step. And even though I won't be there with Kate, God is with her. He was with us when she was a baby, He was with us every step of the way as we raised her, and He will be with her as she starts this new adventure in college.
I share this with you today in case you have a layer, be it thick or thin or uncertainty in your life. I invite you to join me to...
pause. breathe. pray.™
May we remember that God is with us and for us, and our loved ones, every day. May we bring our uncertainty to God and seek Him above all else. Let's keep our eyes and ears open to the divine appointments He has pre-ordained to remind us of His love and presence in our lives. By doing so, I pray we have those divine appointments and receive His peace and contentment, as He gifted me on my trip with Kate last week by meeting Naima.
With gratitude and hope,
Shawn
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy - Psalm 16:11