Binding and loosing

After more than 3 years of metal-mouthed existance, our eldest got her braces off this week! When I talked to her that evening, she was working her way through an enormous bowl of popcorn, and reveling in the sensation of nothing getting stuck. She is understandably thrilled, though she notes that her mouth feels "good, but weird"-- unfamiliar. She will still need to wear a retainer for a while, to allow her teeth to settle in; but the omnipresent wires and brackets are gone for good.

Seems to me we have something in common. I'm just finishing 3 years of seminary training, formation for ministry-- a sort of bracket system if you will. A time of intentional learning and growth, allowing God to mold me into the kind of servant, the kind of leader, the kind of priest I am to be.

God willing, on Friday (tomorrow!) I will be ordained to the transitional diaconate. I will still need support, still be in training as I grow into this call; but like going from braces to a retainer, it will be different sort of formation. Not as structured. More freedom, but less security, and less familiarity. As my daughter notes, it feels good, but weird. Exciting, and a little scary. All right, more than a little. I'm not sure I'm ready; but I believe I'm as ready as I'm ever going to be.

So if any of you feel like praying tomorrow, feel free. I can use all the help I can get.