On the First Day She Felt Happy

The other day I sat down with my girls, now 16 & 17, and went down memory lane.  It began with a dinner conversation of me sharing stories of my school years.  They graciously suffered through it as I shared my stories for what likely felt like the thousandth time. I shared the good days of winning spelling bees, the bad days of running out of my class to hide in a locked car because I was scared of my teacher, and the scary days of taking the wrong bus home and having the police look for me.  Needless to say, I was full of stories.  

I know right now many of you, including myself, are gearing up to or may have already sent your kids off to school. For me, this is such a bittersweet time of year.  It means that another year has passed and my precious, not so little ones anymore, are one step closer to entering this world on their own. I dread the empty nest and yet I know when the time comes my gracious Lord will give me the peace I need.  It is that very kernel of truth I want to share with each of you.

As you send off your little ones entrusting them into the hands of their teachers, their schools and this world, always remember that ultimately it is God's hands you are entrusting them into. It's important that you know that and that your kids see you knowing that.    

As my youngest went off to kindergarten so many years ago, she came home with a note that said "Mommy brought Mackenzie to school on the first day, and she felt happy."  I KNOW this note was not talking about me, because this mommy felt like a hot mess!  I somehow managed to pull up my big girl panties and put the most artificial smile on my face as I kissed her goodbye and told her I loved her.  I then proceeded to briskly walk out to my car and emotionally crumble.  

I know exactly why I crumbled that day and for a few years following. I also know exactly why I no longer crumble (well mostly).  I crumbled because I was the only protection my child had, I crumbled because she needed me, and truth be told, I needed her. I crumbled because only I knew what was best for her. Basically, I crumbled because I was believing a lie. The truth is, that I had no control over any of those things.  And fellow mommies, neither do you. 

No matter what kind of school you choose for your children YOU are not big enough to keep them safe and provide all they need, only HE is.  However, you will be happy to know that He does a far greater job than we can and if you trust Him and allow Him to show you He certainly will.  

So this year fellow moms, take a rest from worry and allow the very One who formed that precious child of yours to continue to hold them in His capable hands. If they got a teacher you don't like, it's okay.  Perhaps this year the teacher got the exact child they need instead of your child getting the exact teacher they need.  Let God use the situation.  If they learn things you don't believe in, communicate with your children. Use those moments to embark upon a solid conversation sharing truth with your child.  If they're not making friends like you hoped, that's okay too.  Allow God to minister to your child as He uses the warm embrace of their mom. Teach your children along the way to trust God with the hard things in life.  Let them learn this with you and through you.  

At the end of the day, you cannot be all things to your child and you cannot protect them from all things in and of this world. However you can direct them to the One who can. Let them know you're not afraid because of how big your God is and they will learn to trust in the same. So this year on that first day of school thank God for bringing you and your child this far.  Thank Him for going before and for remaining during and after.  Embrace the journey He puts you on this year, the good, the bad and the ugly.  None of it is beyond His reach.