This is the time of year for graduations and weddings. This is a time of year when I reflect often on transitions.

Last December, when my oldest son got engaged, I felt a hard transition. Life had just radically shifted. It wasn’t scary. It was just… real. We went out to dinner to celebrate and all of a sudden I’m not at some kids’ pizza joint celebrating a 7th birthday. I’m at a nice restaurant with incredibly mature sons having adult conversations.

My son’s wedding is in October and I’ve been thinking this weekend about his life and how it’s flashed all too fast in front of me.

Transitions hit fast. I had breakfast with my mentor in ministry a couple of weeks ago. He let me know he had resigned his church and was transitioning to something else. It wasn’t exactly retirement, but almost. He had been at that church for 25 years. I have know him all that time. Now, he is at retirement age. How did that happen?

These are times I need to reflect. I don’t want to let them zip past.

For my mentor in ministry, I think often to the priceless three years I spent them him when I was a Bible college student. His ministry at that point taught me more by example than Bible college taught me in academics. The lessons learned in those three years still carry on in me. Over the years we have sat down for coffee or breakfast or lunch and he has poured life into me. There have been conversations long distance over the phone where he has allowed the Spirit to use him and bring distinct direction into my life.

The ministry post I hold today is a direct result of his Spirit-led guidance. I have stayed there because he has cheered me on. He has prayed me through.

I do not want this transition to fly by without a note of thanks. He is a treasure to the Kingdom of God, and to my personal life. Thank you, Larry Hale.