Back to School Blessings

Can you believe it?  Summer of 2015 is complete.   Finished.  Over.  I know some of you are in mourning and some are counting down the days for school to begin. 

Our family is busy getting ready for the new school year.  Cody is moving up to middle school and Dylan is starting his 4^th grade year.  Every year at this time we look at school supplies, class list, and check the closet for clothes that fit.  I work hard to prepare the kids for school, but last year I realized that my To Do list had nothing to do with lifting my children up in prayer.  This definitely needed to be added to our back to school supply list!

So, we chose to do a prayer walk around the school one morning and it was a powerful experience for all of us.  It gave me such peace knowing that I had covered my kid’s school in the power of God’s love and guidance.  The boys also got the opportunity to prayer for their school, teachers, and the New Year.

Here at St. Andrew you will see many things this upcoming Sunday to help your family prepare for the school year.  We can’t do your back to school shopping for you but we can work with you on surrounding your family and your school with prayers and God’s love. 

How are we doing this?

-        Prayer stations are set up in the chapel all day on Sunday, August 23.  At 9:30am the chapel will be open all day with 3 different prayer stations:

o   Prayers for your child’s school

o   Prayers for the educators

o   Prayers for the students

-        Your children will receive blessings over them and their backpacks at every large group time on Sunday morning.  Every child will receive a backpack tag.

-        In the traditional services we will be giving a special blessing for the school year.  If you would like a tag for your own school bag they will be available after the services. 

We encourage you to stop by the chapel across from the bookstore and take some time as a family to pray together.  The ministers and staff at St. Andrew have been lifting your family up in prayer all week.  

Be real!

 *This one has Mom in it a lot….if you are a Dad reading this feel free to exchange Mom for Dad.  

So, for many Mommies today is a day full of emotions.   It is the 1^st day of ____________.

Here is the thing that I want to let all of us know…..whatever emotion that you are feeling is just fine!

·       To the Mom that has been crying all weekend and having a really hard time letting your kiddo walk into the school walls….I get it.

·       To the Mom that set her alarm early so there was NO WAY that the kids would be late on the 1^st day.  Then had a skip to her step on the way to school…..I get it.

·       To the Mom that slept in her “grown” kids room last night because it was so empty now that they are away at college…..I am sure one day I will get it!

·       To the Mom that is fine with summer, fine with school, and totally does not get why people care so much…..I get it!

·       To the Mom that will cry in about 2 weeks in the carpool line as she says good bye for the day…..I get it.

·       To the Mom that followed the school bus and hid behind a bush to see your kid walk into school…..I get it and know many women who have done it. 

Let yourself be you.   Don’t feel bad if you are not crying when you drop off your kid at school AND don’t hide it if you are.   The crying Mom (let’s call her Mom C) and the dancing Mom (let’s call her Mom D) are BOTH good Moms!   They just respond differently to their children going back to school.   I am sure some days Mom C is a happy when Mom D is sad.   The fact remains that they both love their children. 

So, today…..be who you are.   Be real.   It is so much easier!

If you need some words today to pray for your kids….this is my favorite back to school prayer:

Dear Gracious and Loving God,

As my children leave for school,

I pray that you will keep them in your care.

Send your Spirit to open their minds

to all that is true and beautiful and good.

Help them to see the gifts and talents

you have given them and to use them well.

Help them to grow in knowledge and wisdom.

Help them to be kind to others

and lead others be kind to them.

Give their teachers patience and understanding

and help them teach what is just and true.

Send your angels to guide and guard my children

and to keep them from all harm.

Open their young hearts to your presence

and enfold them in your peace and protection.

Hold them in the palm of your hand

and bring them home safely at day's end.

Amen.