Monday was our last night to serve at Celebrate Recovery at VCC. It was a regular meeting night, but the transition out of leadership was clear. We came in to an already set-up meeting room and responsibilities were delegated to us, rather than us doling them out. We hugged some people, and then turned in our keys as we turned off the lights.
Surprisingly, our last night at Celebrate Recovery was not sad. We'd shed a few tears on the nights leading up to our final night, but on our last evening to serve, we were not teary, nor were we met with tearful goodbyes. There was no fanfare, but a couple of quiet expressions of thanks. An era was just over, just like that, and no one seemed to notice. We went from there to the home of a participant to usher in the New Year with friends and food and board game fun.
Next Monday, our evening will be free. We're excited to have family time, and to get the kids in bed at a reasonable hour, but other than that, we're not quite sure what we'll do with ourselves. As for our future involvement in Celebrate Recovery, we'll probably take a couple of weeks off from participating in any capacity in any group, and will then begin exploring groups in a closer proximity to home. Our intention at this stage is to serve by helping an already established group, and wait to see what God has in store for our future with regards to leadership.
Regardless of the rightness of our transition out, it's odd to think of our days in Celebrate Recovery and at VCC being over. Though I typically think the following adage is quite corny, I believe it applies here:
"I don't know what the future holds,
but I know Who holds the future."
Now, on to much better, much more astute, much less vomit-inducing wisdom (Yes, I've shared it before, but it bears repetition):
"For I know the plans I have for you,"
declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
"But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations."
Psalm 33:11
"In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps."
Proverbs 16:9
You said an era was over and no one seemed to notice but I know you're wrong. God used you mightily in starting that group and so many lives have been touched and changed for the glory of God. Well done.