September is one of those crazy, transitional months that I look forward to all through August and then panic and stress out when "the first" finally arrives. I can't wait to get back into the swing of routine, shuffling kids out the door for school, and the pre-mature glimpses of the approaching fall season. At the same time, I worry that I'll forget something (like someone's school supplies or my mind, perhaps), spend half my day running late for the next thing, get to work with that unprepared feeling, and never get enough sleep. It's the little unforseen bugs in the system that keep me up at night. Usually, by October, we've worked out all the kinks, but until then, I'm barely hanging on by a thread. Needless to say, amidst all the transition and figuring out of schedules, new routines and such, I have discovered a trick for survival. I have found something that warms my every fiber from the inside out, calms my frantic nerves, and comforts me when I wake up at 4:30 am trying to plan out my day. September calls for a heaping dose of Psalms and Starbucks.
Psalms speaks to my soul, reminds me of God's faithfulness, his provision for all of our needs (no matter how big or small), and his unfailing love in spite of my failure to live up to my own expectations. Starbucks makes me smile with their soy caramel machiattos and pumpkin spice lattes. They remind me of how glorious fall can be with the changing colors, cool, crisp mornings, my favorite sweaters, and Notre Dame football.
September will not overwhelm me. I will soar above the chaos with Psalms and Starbucks. They will see me through all this transition, and October will roll right in like an enormous pumpkin on my doorstep.
This is September. This is how I survive.
What about you?