By: Karen Hamilton
Each of our lives is a storybook and our futures are the chapters that have yet to be written. As Steven Curtis Chapman puts it in his new song Glorious Unfolding, “there’s so much of the story that’s yet to still unfold.”
The Emmanuel chapter of my life takes a turn tomorrow as I set out on new adventures. I truly believe that there is a reason and season for everything in this life and God puts us in different places for a time because He knows what lies ahead.
My season at Emmanuel has been one that I will always cherish and walk away from with not just new friends, but many that I consider as family. I can’t imagine having been anywhere else in the world these last four plus years – my youngest daughter got to attend Pre-K right next door to where I worked; you held me up when I encountered bumpy roads because of my parents’ health issues and my father’s death; and my family and I have grown with you during my seasons here.
Words can hardly begin to express how much love I have in my heart for the people of Emmanuel Baptist Church – this is by no means the end of our relationship, we’re just turning the page to “watch this glorious unfolding” of God’s promises in our lives.
Elaina Ayres has been such a blessing, especially these past few years, filling in during my father’s last days and so I could have some times of respite with my family. She will continue to serve Emmanuel in this transitional period.
I’m going to do like Steven Curtis Chapman says, “let us remember this life we’re living is just the beginning of the beginning.” I move forward leaving you with love, hugs, laughter and so much more – the blessings of God through the Emmanuel family.
