August 20

With the start of a new school year just a few days away, this seemed like an appropriate image to use:

It's just a little pile of tree bark that I passed on the sidewalk as Abby and I were taking an evening stroll. But it's also a sign of new beginnings; of stripping away the old to reveal something new --and usually better-- underneath.

It's a good metaphor for both the beginning of another chapter in the kids' school books and for life in general. I'm thankful that God created us with the expectation that we'll grow and transform into more beautiful creatures.