(Photo by Selma Komisky)

A Note From the Editor: September 2016

By Sarah Komisky

I remember going back to school. I was fortunate enough to get new clothes and supplies but as the years went on there were other new experiences to face. There were new registrations, orientations, teachers, professors, textbooks, people in class, friendships, roommates, and routes to travel for class, plus events to attend and locker combinations to figure out. But there were other new things too, like new plans, new highs and new lows. In essence, going back to school meant coming into the “new.”

While school can be scary, it can also be pleasantly surprising. So let’s take a look at some ideas on this subject:

“The secret to humor is surprise.”

– Aristotle (Philosopher)

“Man is always more than he can know of himself; consequently, his accomplishments, time and again, will come as a surprise to him.”

– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Poet)

“Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us”

– Boris Pasternak (Author)

“One thing that is exciting about fashion is the surprise element. People don’t know what they want. They just know when they see it.”

– Marc Jacobs (Designer)

“Better be prepared to be surprised”

– Sondre Lerche (Musician)

As we all know, life is full of surprises. The Bible is a great example of that. There were surprises in creation, and in the Old and New Testaments, as well as surprises at Christ’s coming, death, resurrection and ascension. There were surprises in His ministry and in His actions, speech, and miracles. Also, there are surprises that await us in the future and there are surprises in heaven. God also left instructions on how to deal with life’s surprises like trials, work, child- parent relationships, marriage, dating, raising children, and so much more!

So, this September, let’s welcome the new. Newness in school, newness in fashion trends, music, stories, ministries, craft ideas, the development of new habits, healthy patterns, and relationships. We will find new ways to encourage others and new ideas to think about. Also, we will meet new women in the Bible and travel to new places. No matter if you are in or out of school, we purpose to embrace the new.

Many have a lot to say about surprise (including ourselves) but let’s hold fast as we face the new with confidence in God’s words to us. Isaiah 41:13 in the NKJV says, “For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘fear not, I will help you.’” God will be there to hold our hand if we let him and we have the promise that we don’t have to be afraid. But that is for those who know Jesus personally. If you don’t, take the first leap into the new by starting life with Him and let’s all take a big step together into the new areas we are being called to. May we enjoy them, learn from them, become better by them and may we be surprised.

Sarah