Time Flies…School Starts…Pray Hard

As child or teen, I remember hearing the older generation say,  “time flies”. I didn’t think so. I wanted to fast forward and gain the next privilege—staying up later or learning to drive.

When I had toddlers at home, older women encouraged young Moms to savor days with their children-that they will grow up before they knew it. I agree. Motherhood has days that seem the longest but go the fastest. Now with grands and most of mine in college, I wonder where the years went. Wasn’t I just holding the newborns in my arms or lifting them up to a high chair?  Now they are driving and one is married.

We live in seasons.  Ecclesiastes 3 gives us a picture of life—the good and the hard. And yes, time does seem to fly as we read that chapter and remember where we were and what we did. And with changing seasons, here in South Carolina we’re about to begin a new school year in August.

Students of any age, and teachers too, whether new or veterans, have first day jitters. There’s the element of newness and the unknown. College students are living in a dorm, not at home. Some moved a distance away. Middle schoolers are changing classes and have different teachers for subjects. Elementary children meet a new teacher whose style and classroom management is different from last year. There’s a new mix of students in their class. Change, different, new. It’s a blend of excitement and uncertainty all rolled into first day jitters that extend to many adjustments.

When I taught at a Christian university, the speaker for the first chapel of the school year encouraged students to be courageous as they took new steps in a different, new, and uncertain life chapter.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV

I admit I entered chapel each year predicting I’d hear that verse, but it never got old. Now with my grandchildren ranging from middle school to university, that verse is one of my prayers for them.

I have extended that and developed Thirty-one Days of Prayer for Children and Grandchildren with comments specifically related to school. Click here and download it as we pray together for our children and grands. Fill their names in the verses. Joshua 1:9 reminds us they are not alone. Our children and grandchildren may or may not live under our roof and we can’t pray with them as they head out the door, but what a privilege that our prayers go with them each day.

I also developed the “Freshman 15”. You probably know that gaining weight during the first semester of a freshman year is common. Research shows it can be anywhere from three to fifteen pounds. The temptation of unlimited buffets, desserts at meals, and different eating habits, perhaps lack of exercise and stress, contribute to weigh gain. My Freshman 15 takes another direction—fifteen devotions for freshmen that deal with the usual struggles and changes a freshman encounters. Here is the link to it. Forward it to a parent of a college student who can read about the newness their young adult is experiencing—or forward to the student to have guidance to navigate newness and know he is not alone in a struggle.

How are you approaching prayer for yourself to guide your children—and prayer for your children and grands as they begin a new school year? Do you have a specific prayer or scripture you pray for your children and grands?  Please share with us.