What I've noted about transitions over the years is that they are often accompanied by regret for the path we're leaving, and fear of the path we're approaching. But for some reason I've had neither emotion as I approach this particular transition. I have an appreciation for where I am now and where I've been for the last 15 years of classroom education. I can enjoy (loosely used term) the next two months of studying on my own schedule and taking breaks when I feel like it. I've learned what discipline is (and how bad I often am at it). It's been a fun type of freedom and has allowed me to invest and build relationships and gave me time to wrestle with things outside of my profession.
But just beyond is a new type of learning. Just on the other side of this transition is a practicality and a set of skills, not just knowledge, for me to learn. On the other side is the immersion into why I've worked so hard towards for the last decade. And as scary as it is, there's a hope and an excitement of remembering regularly the calling that God's given me which is so easy to forget amidst books and papers and projects. I'm not naive. I know that next year is going to bring its whole set of challenges, humiliations, frustrations, inadequacies and sleepless months. But it stands for something. And for that reason, the anticipation and the hope far outweighs the fear.
