Back to School -- Back to Prayer

 

After attending our church service this morning, we drove to Georgetown for Celebration Church’s third service -- and held seats for our family of twelve!

The primary reason for our trip was my youngest grandson, nineteen-year-old Bryson. He and his best friend, Jack, are settled into the apartment they’ll call home while beginning their first semester at Austin Christian University.

When I learned about this Christ-centered university -- rooted in Jesus, His Word, and His mission -- I thanked God! Along with high academic standards, students are encouraged to discover their calling, follow Jesus’ example, and prepare to enter the workforce with both competence and character.

Today took me back to my two -- Ryan and Staci’s first day of first and third grades in Cleveland, Oklahoma. Like every mama, I wondered: "Would they like their teachers, make good friends, succeed academically, and avoid the wrong crowd?"

The faces and school supplies change, but parents’ prayers never graduate!

At Celebration Church, children in third grade and above led worship -- hands raised and hearts singing to Jesus.
What a precious sight!

Yet the pastor’s message wasn’t directed primarily toward the children. It was for the parents -- the ones responsible for cultivating faith and a hunger for Jesus at home.

“Let the little children come to Me…for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

The pastor spoke of Simeon and Anna in Luke 2:25–38. These two elderly, faithful servants recognized Jesus when Mary and Joseph brought Him to the temple. They saw what others might have missed -- God’s promise resting upon the next generation.

We must also recognize, encourage, and make room for those coming behind us. Children learn goodness, kindness, courage, honesty, and a “What Would Jesus Do?” mindset by watching us.

So, as another school year begins, let’s turn our worries into prayers and our examples into living lessons.

Father, protect our students. Give them wisdom, strong faith, godly friendships, and courage. Help parents and grandparents model Jesus well -- and recognize the God-given calling within the next generation. Amen.

School teaches lessons -- but faith teaches us how to live them.