Another Year of Potential and Possibilities

Just look at those kiddos — all set for a new year! Those cute two kiddos are mine — mine, many moons ago on their first day of school! I’m so happy I captured that moment — like all the mom and dads who are making their moments count!

My Facebook feed has been full of wide-eyed kiddos with fresh haircuts, new shoes, and those half-grin, half-grimace first-day-of-school pictures. Their optimism is contagious — new friends to meet, new adventures to explore, new challenges to stretch those little minds. And let’s be honest, not one of them is losing sleep over politics.

I’ve loved seeing parents post their prayers and confessions of faith over their children. One mom wrote: “Of all the dreams I have for my kids, Christ follower is at the top. They’ve got this, and He’s got them.”

What a perspective! Because truly, of all the knowledge they’ll gather and lessons they’ll learn, the most valuable achievement will always be to walk with Jesus.

Luke 2:52 says it plainly about Jesus as a young boy: “He grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.” He grew smarter, taller, closer to His Father, and even gained the respect of those around Him.

Right before that verse, we’re told: “His mother kept all these things in her heart.” Mary didn’t live in constant panic. She pondered, she prayed, and she trusted.

Maybe that’s our challenge too — to turn anxious thoughts into treasured prayers. To believe that God not only loves our children more than we do, but that He’s got their futures already secured in His hands.

So here’s my prayer for this new school year:

Lord, please protect these precious children. Give them curious minds, strong friendships, and hearts that long to follow You. Remind moms and dads to trade their worries for prayers, and to enjoy the gift of every moment. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

So let’s take a deep breath, pack the lunches, and trust that God is guiding every step. After all, He knows everything about everything — and He’s already gone ahead into this school year.

“New backpacks, new adventures, same faithful God. Let’s pray our kids grow in wisdom, stature, and favor this school year!