Preparing for school was a little surreal for me this year.
Partly because we had a great summer and I really wasn’t prepared
for it to end. Labor Day weekend and the close of summer totally snuck up on me...
And partly because the time leading up to school felt “easy”
compared to past years. The kids had no worries, no sadness, no
fears. For Asher, specifically, that's a 180-degree turn from past years. I tiptoed around the subject of
school for weeks, scared it would initiate anxiety… but all was truly calm as the first day approached, commenced
and is now coming to a close. Sweet relief!
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First Day of the
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Walking Asher to school this morning also felt surreal... because it hit me that this time next year I could be walking four kids to elementary school. FOUR! With the new kids, though, it likely not going to be as
straightforward as it's been with Asher and Cora... taking the Briggance and rolling into kindergarten…
I have no idea what to expect in terms of language, prior schooling, developmental stages, educational needs, etc… I am OVERHWLEMED every time I think about it. Seriously, just flooded with thoughts, ideas, questions, concerns, what-ifs…
So in place of the kids being nervous about this school year, I realized that I’ve been the one carrying the burden of apprehension… Thankfully, Go spoke to me through this devotion (from Jesus Calling):
“Anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities: situations totally beyond your ability to handle. This awareness of your inadequacy is not something you should try to evade. It is precisely where God wants you – the best place to encounter Him in His Glory & Power… Allow God to fight for you. Watch God working on your behalf, as you rest in the shadow of His presence.”
This perfectly timed message was followed by a
coffee date with a dear friend who talked me down from my ledge of worry… and
then a message with a video clip of the kids’ school day in Africa. Even though our children were not in the video, seeing all of the other kids was so refreshing
and calmed all of my apprehensions. I now find myself in a place of rest on this topic of future schooling…
Thank you, God!
“Are you tired? Worn out? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-29
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