Growing up, I went to four schools: Tremont Nursery School, Tremont Grade School, Tremont Junior High School, and Tremont High School. Notice a theme? I moved through the Tremont school system the same way my dad did, the same way his parents did… you get the picture.
Fast forward and here I am a 39-year-old, married for 16 years, mother of four whose 7th grader has gone to 7 different schools. How badly have I screwed him up, I often wonder.
Sending my children to new schools every few years has definitely pulled on my mama heartstrings, specifically because this is an experience I never faced as a child. I can’t ease their anxiety with stories of my own anxiety and success. I can’t relate at all in fact, except to tell them that as the kid who never moved, I LOVED having new kids in school. This excitement never seems to calm their fears and is instead typically met with the ever-rolling tween eyes.
Because I really, truly believe that God’s Word is relevant to any situation we face in life, I know these scriptures will help me…and you…to send our kids into new schools or experiences with the confidence that they are perfectly known and loved by a God who is far more able to care for them than we are.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 reminds us to “pray without ceasing“. This is by far the most important part of parenting, regardless of your situation. Unfortunately, we are prone to consider prayer as that thing you do when you can’t do anything else. This is so far from the truth! Prayer is the most powerful tool we have in our parenting toolbox. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the grave is available to us through the Holy Spirit in prayer. Let that soak in for a moment. Don’t ever think that any human action could possibly be stronger than the power of God Himself. Pray for your kids.
Psalm 139:5 says, “You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” Our kids will never experience anything that surprises God. He knows what successes and trials lay ahead, and He is there. for. it. We must believe that as much as we love our kids, our Heavenly Father loves them even more. He loves them perfectly. As we sit at home or work and wait and wonder how their day is going, He has them hemmed in with His hand on them. Remind your kids (and yourself) that they are never alone.
Genesis 22:7-8 describes a moment surely I will never face–when Isaac says to Abraham, “‘My father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ He said, ‘Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?’ Abraham said, ‘God will provide for himself the lamb...'” Our relocation is beyond our kids’ control. They don’t choose to attend new schools, we choose that for them. It causes major mom-guilt when they are scared or nervous because of a decision Jason and I have made. But I have learned that, like Abraham, I have to trust that God will provide. He will provide peace. He will provide comfort. He will provide friends. And even if He doesn’t, I trust that He is using the hard things for their good and His glory. It’s not easy…AT ALL… but God is faithful. More faithful and trustworthy than you or I could ever dream to be. Trust God with your children.
Going to a new school is a milestone in the life of a child, no doubt. Fortunately, children are much more resilient and flexible than their mamas! By praying for them, reminding them that they’re not alone, and trusting God with their very lives, our hearts can be at peace knowing that they are in the care of One who is far more equipped than we are for this parenting gig. And we can rest assured that we have not completely screwed them up…this time.
xo, Elly
