Rejoice!

It's a beautiful day.

Today is the first day of a new school year. 

For all of you Mommas out there who are sending your babies off to kindergarten, rejoice! 

Can you believe you've kept them alive long enough to be ready for kindergarten?

It's sad, exciting, terrifying, amazing...

Sending your babies to school is exhausting! Believe me, I've been there twice. Two more to go. It's an emotional situation.

But as you send your babies to school today, remember this...

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)

Our sweet chickadees are being a light to others. 

They are planting seeds they don't even know they are planting...

Y'all know I've struggled with public school. (Go back and read Kindergarten Crazies).  But I also have come to grips with the fact that our family was chosen to be warriors in public schools. And that isn't for every family (no judging here! Every family has their own specific plan from God, and that's a fact. Period.).

I'm praying for you today, all of you. All of your sweet babies!!! 

We can't keep our kids from this world. THIS FALLEN world. We can't keep them from seeing and hearing things that aren't part of our parenting plan. We are never going to be able to shelter them from all of the evil in the world. 

But, by golly, we can suit up our kids and prep them for battle. Because we all know it is a battle. We can lay solid foundations that make them fearless leaders for Christ. We can teach them to be BOLD. Be DIFFERENT than their classmates. 

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:11-20 ESV)

Did you put on your armor today? Did you suit your kids up? 

For whatever your day holds, remember that God is sovereign. He holds your babies in His tight grip. He loves them even more than you. 

Rejoice!! 

The Routine

I am a lover of routine.

This time of year is my favorite because I get to organize a classroom, plan lessons, create templates, make schedules, stock my pantry, pack lunches, match up freshly laundered clothing...

And then 21 or so little people come marching with enthusiasm into my classroom and I get to teach them to organize their binders and their notebooks and their tool boxes...and their minds.

I love.

Clearly, I love me some Thirty-One.

 
I do better and I AM BETTER when I am in the zone. I am on my game, I am productive, I am feelin' it. I can organize, I can plan, I can produce, I can lead, and I can step in and help.

But Father, I ask you this year to let me live in my routine without becoming a creature of habit. Allow me to live in the process and not just in the product. Let me live in relationships and help me build them in healthy ways.

Help me to be the best me for my family, my friends, my coworkers, and my church...and ultimately for YOU and YOUR KINGDOM.

Slow me down when I need slowing down, but just enough that I can use every gift you have given me. I am forever thankful for your love and your example in Jesus Christ. 

Help me to say NO when it is time.

I am so thankful for the blessing of health this year. Oh, so thankful. I pray for health in our family to be sustained and for those who are sick or healing. You are the one and only True Healer.

Let me hear You in every breath I take and live out your LOVE in every action. And help me forgive myself in the times when I fail.

In Jesus name, AMEN.

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. ~John 15:2

27"All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.29"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.…  ~Matthew 11:1-27