Committing our Ways...

Summer is never very long and I've already started thinking and praying about next year. Of coarse I began praying about the next school year as soon as school lets out. Mainly that God would begin to prepare our hearts for His choice of teachers for next year. And for those teachers, although I don't know who they are... He does.

This year I decided to have a little meeting with each school aged child and set some goals for the year. We talked and set some goals together and then picked out verses that they can claim for the year.

10 year old, 5th grade: wants to get straight A's and be more diligent about doing his homework (he's a dawdler). He wants to be a good leader to his fellow students and a help to his teachers. Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.


9 year old, 4th grade: also wants to get straight A's and she is going to work on doing her homework without complaining. And doing her very best work. She is going to be kind to everyone and set a good example for her classmates. She also wants to be a help to her teachers. I Cor. 10:31 So, whether you eat of drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.


7 year old, 2nd grade: is striving for A's and B's this year and is going to work on a more positive attitude (she's my 'debbie doubter' always saying she can't do this or that). She wants to set a good example and encourage her classmates, and like the others, be a help to her teacher. We choose Deut. 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

5 year old, K5: not having been in school before we talked things over and felt that 2 goals would be appropriate for this little guy. 1. To obey his teachers. 2. To do his very best. Eccl. 9:10a Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.
As this next year looms off in the distance I can't help but feel that all to familiar fear rise up in me. There are so many 'what if's'. So many things that could happen. My desire to protect my kids is strong. But then I am reminded that God loves my kids better than I ever could. He will protect them. And although classes no longer begin with prayer and His commandments are not still lining the walls, He is there. Try as they might they cannot remove God. He is bigger and stronger and still there working through every Christian teacher and parent. And through the students who love Him and shine His light by setting good examples, doing their best work and being an encouragement to fellow students.
Our verse for this 2010-11 school year is Phil. 2:14 - 15 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.


***UPDATE***
Sept. 1, 2010
We've been in school for 3 weeks now and it's going great.  I put a copy of the kids goals in each of their notebooks and we've referred to them more than once already.  We will be memorizing each verse as a way to 'stir up one another to love and good works.' Heb. 10:24