As much as I love summer, the end of the school year is always a little bittersweet. For me it signifies the end of one chapter of my life and the beginning of another, and turning a new page never comes without some hesitation.

I think the reason why the close of this school year is particularly happy and sad is because of how different of a year it truly was. God revealed Himself to me more and more through ways I would not have expected. He showed me His faithfulness and love the most when my plans didn’t follow through. But God had, and still has, so much better plans in mind for my life, even when I don’t understand what’s happening or why.

One way God especially showed His love to me was through friendship. Through laughing together, crying together, talking together, and just doing life with one another, I experienced the love of God in a way I hadn’t before. Even though some friendships were lost, I can honestly say that by spending time with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, one sees a picture of the intimate love of Jesus.

Now that it’s summer, some of those great memories will remain memories; nothing lasts forever. But I can look back at them and smile, even if some of them bring a twing of sadness.

As summer beings, I can look forward to starting an amazing new season of life because I can look back at God’s abiding faithfulness and grace over the past year. With Him everything is an adventure with the promise of joy.  As Corrie Ten Boom says, “Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future.”

I would encourage you to look back at this year and think about where God has shown Himself faithful. Maybe it was in a grand, great way, or perhaps it was just through reminding You of who He is through a Bible verse.

Before I wrap up this post, I would like to share a scripture that has been really encouraging to me this year.

““I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:1-11)

Every time I read these verse I am reminded of how great my need for Christ is. As this year ends and summer begins let us never forget that He is the vine and we are the branches. When we remain in Him, our lives bear fruit that never would have come without having our souls anchored in Him.