Back to School Routines

When my community was buying school supplies for children in need, I joined in with them -- buying spiral notebooks, crayons, binders, pencils, pens, notebook paper, glue, and other school supplies. It brought back memories of buying school supplies for my own two kiddos -- backpacks, lunch kits, and all the essentials from the school’s list of supplies. Please indulge me once again, with one of my favorite photos of a new school year for them when we lived at Lake Keystone, Oklahoma. Actually, it was Staci’s first year of school

Here we are with the lazy days of summer almost over. The Fall school routine is well underway for my Frisco grandchildren and next week, the Austin two will begin their routines. Soon they’ll all be in the swing of things with their new courses and loads of homework.

Here’s the best advice I can offer from a “Nana’s” point of view. We can either worry about what this school year holds or we can follow the lead of Mary and Joseph in the Gospel of Luke 2. Four areas are mentioned that Jesus grew in as a young boy: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with man (people).” Our Lord grew wiser each year. He physically grew. His relationship with His Heavenly Father continually strengthened. Jesus even gained favor with people who saw Him day to day.

The verse that precedes Jesus growth in Luke 2:51 is this one: “His mother kept all these things in her heart.” When Mary was mothering Jesus, she tucked thoughts (some Bible translations say she “treasured” them) of her son safely in her heart. In none of those descriptions do we see Mary fretting, worried and anxious. She pondered about her son and his growth, but she didn’t allow her mama heart to ever become rattled.

I’m so pleased that my kids follow Joseph and Mary’s lead by instructing and instilling in their kids those things that will increase them in wisdom and favor. Early yesterday morning, I went over to their home for morning devotion (one of their “must-do’s” before heading out to school). They take 30 minutes to an hour each morning to pour God’s word into their hearts. Words that talk about honor, integrity, doing the right things, praying, trusting God, being a friend, etc.

I can hear some of you saying “We don’t have that much time in the mornings!” Then take 5 minutes to speak affirmation, God’s love and “I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength” motivation into them, and then pray with them for wisdom and favor. School mornings can be quite hectic but there is nothing more important than starting each day with putting God first. When He gets first place, then He promises to make their paths straight. “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33.

It’s a new season at the Wallace’s as Payton is driving now, so he and Alexia headed out the door for school on their own. That’s enough reason to have a little extra anxiety. But, no matter whether it’s their first year of school or, in Payton’s case, his Senior year of school, we can turn all our anxieties that we have for our children into treasured prayers for their safety and know they are being held fast by our loving Father — the One who knows our hearts and loves our children even more than we do.

When we turn our concerns into prayers, we create space in our hearts to treasure and ponder like Mary did. During those times when God is teaching our kids – whether it’s in arithmetic or obedience or establishing friendships, let’s realize that we parents and grandparents are also learning beautiful lessons of trusting and treasuring – completely confident that God is always in control and FATHER KNOWS BEST for our children AND us!