Great Potential For The Quickly Approaching School Year

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.  Psalm 27:13

In a recent post, I mentioned transitioning our children from homeschooling to public school.  Our boys have attended public school before, but the experience will be totally new for our daughter entering 1^st grade.  Well, school starts in a week and the journey to this point has been enlightening.

While I always knew we were only homeschooling for a season, I admit apprehension about how re-entry into the school system would all play out.  Are they prepared?  Did we cover enough material?  Will their teachers be invested in them as individuals or just their test grades? Will our children’s learning styles be accommodated to any degree?  Will I have to jump through hoops to register them?

I educated my children at home three years, the majority of the boys’ elementary years. Our school district gave me considerable autonomy in how I taught my children along with helpful guidance and support from my state homeschool coordinator.  Among her words of encouragement at our last meeting was a word of caution.  “The school won’t just take your word that they’re ready for promotion to the next grade, they’re probably going to test them like we would here.”  Up popped another concern, how would they test?

In light of the moving fiasco that mocked my natural bent towards feeling in control, discouragement and worry, on top of that, about the answers to these questions was the LAST thing any of us needed.  Quickly I submitted myself to the truth engrained in me during our homeschool season:  the Lord is good and He’s good to me and my family.  Another truth is I’m a role player, not the star.  I know the dreams I have for my children, but only God knows His good plans for them.  I merely join in where I already see Him working and follow His lead.  It’s amazing how the proper perspective relieves the pressure!

What did I do with my cares, you ask?  I covered them in prayer, prayer, and more prayer.  Nothing long or eloquent, I just prayed whenever questions raced through my mind tempting me to worry.  Prayer is spiritual and practical for me. When I pray I’m reminded who of the two of us is all-knowing and all-powerful, best able to carry and handle the burdens on my heart (certainly not I).  Did I mention the Lord is good?  He has already planned for their success.  Let me also add He loves my children more perfectly than I could hope to.  He’s promised to teach them and give them great peace.  He’s shaping and molding them into the people He created them to be, including and beyond academic achievement.  I decided it best to rest and let Him do His thing.

We’ve seen how He’s taken care of so many things we’ve prayed about.  From what I’ve heard and seen our children’s schools have positive learning environments with caring, passionate teachers.  Parental involvement is also encouraged to varying degrees, which is vitally important to us. Also the children are developing quality friendships we pray will have an “iron sharpens iron effect.”

There’s no such thing as a perfect school or schooling situation. This school year will be an adjustment for sure, but we believe we’ll see the Lord’s goodness to us every day.  We’re comforted and encouraged to know He’s gone ahead of us, the Good Shepherd, and prepared the way.  He’ll bless and protect our children while faithfully guiding us through any challenges and missteps. We’re looking forward to a great school year and you best believe this mama will continue to pray!

May your children have a wonderfully successful and safe school year!

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SOUL FOOD

Jeremiah 29:11
Isaiah 54:13
Psalm 139:16
Isaiah 30:15
Psalm 23