Did you see her today? That mom who took a few extra deep breaths as she drank her first cup of coffee. That mom who pulled out her camera and made her kids take the obligatory “first day” pic by the back door. That mom who gripped her kids’ hands like a vice as they walked across the parking lot and into the new school to find the new friends for whom they’ve already prayed. That mom whose tears streamed down her face after hugging and kissing her kids goodbye.
I was THAT mom today.
But I’ll be fine. I got home and hugged my husband, then turned on Sesame Street for my 4 yr old so I could cry once more in the shower. I’ll be fine, maybe after a trip to Target. Most importantly, though, my kids will be fine. For many reasons...
My kids are resilient and flexible
My kids are extremely adaptable, and first-day-at-a-new-school experiences are actually really good for them.
My kids get sick of their siblings at the end of summer, and need to find new playmates.
My kids (especially my daughter) get excited about new clothes, and want to show them to other kids.
But most, most, most importantly,
My kids are held in the strong right hand of a God who “is my refuge and my fortress. My God in whom I trust...He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge. His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” (Psalm 91) He is THAT God who loves my kids more than I ever could. And He is THAT God who sustains them and upholds them and who goes before them. He is THAT God who prepares the way and provides for us in ways that we may never even know. He is Emmanuel, God with us.
My dear friend and pastor, Doug Ferguson, closes every worship service with a beautiful benediction that I’m holding close to my heart today and praying over my kids: May our living Lord Jesus Christ go with you. May He go above you to watch over you, behind you to encourage you, beside you to befriend you, within you to give you His peace, and before you to show you His way. Amen. Amen. Amen.
I may have been THAT mom , but I’m so grateful that today and every day my kids are held in the righteous, faithful, loving, constant, and good, good hand of THAT God. Amen. Off to Target...