I Knew Back-to-School Drama

#TBT I Knew Back-to-School Drama!
It's that time of year when kids are getting back to school or going to school for the first time. This photo inspiration from 42 years ago was my two kids' first day of school -- Staci in first grade and Ryan in 3rd. Sweet memories, and, oh my, how time did fly!!

I've been seeing lots of Mamas on Facebook who are either stoked that school is back in session or they're all emotional because their "babies" are headed to school for the first time. There are the Mamas who have a Senior in high school and they're teary-eyed because it's their last year. And, then there is one like my friend whose son had his first experience as a Freshman in Bishop Kelley High School, the "Kiss your Mom Good-bye" tradition where Seniors make all kinds of crazy posters telling the freshman to "pucker up," and kiss your Mom good-bye as the Moms drive them up to the school. She said her son, who was never embarrassed to give her a hug or kiss good-bye, was mortified. But he did -- and the Seniors screamed and cheered. She said she was more embarrassed than her newly minted Freshman -- especially with videographers there.

And then, I love seeing how the friends of these Moms are either comforting them and assuring them that they'll get through all the emotions.....or the friends who believe "misery loves company" and they're crying right along with them. No question, it's a process of coming to grips with the cycle of life.

No matter what year or what grade they're in, these kids are embarking on a new stage in their lives. So many trails to blaze, so many new frontiers to discover and so many defining moments await them. In the meantime, my heart goes out to each of you young parents -- it's part of the process of giving our babies the freedom to grow up, to be strong and independent. Their trajectory is preset by God -- they are on course for so many great things and great days ahead. Taking one day at a time and one year at time.....makes the process easier. I pray comfort and God's peace to you all -- whatever stage of life YOU are in, and THEY are in. God's Master Plan is at work in you and your family.....and with His arms around you and them.....you'll see the joys, fun and the incredibly brilliant times of seeing your little darlings do so well on science and art projects, field trips, tests, homework and learning so many wonderful things. There are so many victories that await you and them. Your greatest assets are continuing to become more valuable each and every day.

Oh, how we thank God for the gift of children. I pray, Almighty God, that you watch over them as they start to school or go back to school this year. I pray You keep them safe. May these precious children realize You are right there with them in the classroom and on the playground. May they soak up good knowledge and may they be fully equipped to dismiss any negative messages they may hear or see. Help them treat others with kindness and respect, and may their hearts be guarded with the armor of Your Word. I ask that You give them joy and peace as they put their trust in you. I pray that they "increase in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man" -- just like Jesus did. And I pray a special blessing over the teachers and school workers as they help impact all of these kids. And, dear God, please give all these precious Moms and Dad the fortitude and the strength to place their babies into your hands -- with full confidence that you are taking them to their destiny and purpose. Amen.

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight."

I Am A Promise and I'm Something Special

Day 277 of Photo Inspirations -- I Am A Promise & I'm Something Special
#TBT  When my children were little, we always had them singing  little Gospel songs that had such great messages in them. But there were none greater than two of Bill Gaither's songs:  "I Am A Promise" and "I'm Something Special".

Both songs were so self affirming that spoke of the potential and possibilities that God had for them. Honestly, that's where it started with our children.  We taught them how precious and valuable they were.  We taught them that with God's help, they could do anything that they wanted to.  We taught them to speak positive.  "I can't" words weren't allowed.  "I can" words were God's words and we insisted they be our words.

And that affirmative atmosphere was a core value in how we lived our lives, and those two children carried on in this mindset and those core values continue in their families today.  These two children were our greatest assets and investing in them by purposefully speaking into them the possibilities that God had for them was our mandate from God .   We spoke God's Word to them: "Nothing is impossible with God" and "You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you" and "You are more than conquerors".  They believed it and it was settled in their hearts.  

My FB friends and families, I implore you to invest in your God-given, precious assets.  Don't leave it for them to figure out.  Cultivate their abilities.  Strengthen and encourage them, and keep reminding them how beautiful, how smart, how gifted and talented they are.  Before long, it will be ingrained in them and they will be the remarkable and brilliant world changers that you hoped they would be.

At what age do you start?  When they are in your womb.  Speak God's words into them. At what age is it too late to start?  Never is it too late.  I still speak into my two children on a daily basis. "You are a mighty woman of God/man of God.  You are blessed and highly favored.  If God be for you, who can be against you.  You are a chamption and a winner. For such a time as this, God called you to this place."

Deuteronomy 11:18-19 says: "Remember my words in your hearts and souls. Write them down and tie them to your hands as a sign. Tie them on your foreheads to remind you. Teach them well to your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and walk along the road. Talk about them when you lie down and when you get up."

Here's the words of those two great songs:

I'M SOMETHING SPECIAL

Ryan sang this verse:
"I have a little sister who’s not at all like me.
She can write a lovely poem, but I can climb a tree."

Then Staci sang this:
"My brother though is different, with freckles on his nose,
When my questions need answers, he’s the one who knows."

They both sang this verse:
That's why I'm something special.  I'm the only one of my kind.
God gave me a body and a bright healthy mind.
He had a special purpose that He wanted me to find.
That's why I'm something special.  I'm the only one of my kind.

I AM A PROMISE

I am a promise, I am a possibility
I am a promise with a capital “P,”
I am a great big bundle of potentiality
And I am learning to hear God’s voice,
And I am trying to make the right choice
I’m a promise to be anything God wants me to be.

I can go anywhere that He wants me to go
I can be anything that He wants me to be
I can climb the high mountains
I can cross the wide sea
I’m a great big promise you see!