Month: August 2017

Well, he made it back. Over 3000 miles travelled to camp, bike, hike- and now he is parked safely in my driveway.  Not sure yet if he got that tattoo he talked about; knowing he drove through the night Thursday and all day Friday to arrive after midnight I decided not to keep him up with lots of questions last night.

For now, we have four kids tucked safely in bed and all is right with our world.  But on Thursday it all changes.  He’ll move into his dorm and soon will be telling us when he is coming “to visit,” and saying that it’s “time to go home” (meaning some stinky college dorm room, not our lovely abode).  I know that when he’s there, he’ll tell his buds he’s “going home for the weekend” but now the word is split in two.

As it should be.

I am so excited for him. He’s going to a college he chose after months of discussion and prayer, he’s living with a solid friend whose character is strong, he has lots of friends at this school and thousands of potential new friends, and he is pursuing an education that will open to him a world of opportunity.  What amazing blessings!

But let’s be real.  I also know this is a milestone that involves separation. Ok, enough said about that.

A bigger issue is that this is a milestone that involves independence, and the opportunity to make choices that kill- whether we’re talking about brain cells, or purity, or relationships, or opportunity, the freedoms and choices available to college students carry harsh consequences which are often unrecognized by the ones making the choices.

Father, my boy is in your hands. I know that’s where he’s always been, but for awhile his dad and I had the wonderful privilege of speaking into his life daily, and now that’s at an end.  Father, the moment I realized, when he was just a baby, that you work directly in his heart and mind independent of your work through me is clear in my memory. That thought sustains me now even more because I know he has been seeking you and he knows you in a way an infant never can.  Father, hold him tight. Make your presence clear, place people in his path who will point him to you.  Give my boy wisdom, discernment, clarity in decision making.  Prosper the plans he makes which will allow him to grow in strength. Help him develop his gifts and talents so that he can serve you with passion and joy.  But any decision he makes that is directed away from your will, any plan that would weaken his walk with you, Father, I pray would be met with immediate and unmistakeable disaster.  Bring bad decisions to the attention of those who can help him change path, and I pray that the godly people around him will speak into his life with boldness. Father, words fail. All the fears, all the hopes, all the dangers and all the dreams- I place them all in your hands. Maybe trusting you with my child is harder than trusting you with myself but today, Father, I choose to trust you. #prayersformychildren

Well, tomorrow is the big day.  When that bell rings at 8:15 tomorrow all three Scotts will be sitting in their seats waiting for some other teacher to begin their school day.

Me- well, for the first time is thirteen years I’ll be home with no students to teach and no lessons to begin.  I promise you- I’m thrilled for my kids, so don’t let my leaky eyes worry you.  We prayed about it, and God has confirmed in numerous ways that this is a good decision. It’s just that I loved being a homeschool mom. I loved the field trips, the flexible schedule, the time together.  I can’t even say what was the best part- maybe it was the times I saw one of my kids “get it,” or maybe it was cuddling on the couch to read.  Yes, it’s true- I put myself in timeout, I got behind, I sometimes felt inadequate for the job.  But it was all worth it when I had the chance to talk about friendship, and God, and integrity, and disappointment…you get the picture.   So even though I am excited for the kids, for the opportunities they are having, for the new experiences they will surely enjoy, I’m struggling a little tonight.

Oh, and that other big day will be here soon…the one when I leave my oldest at college. Mmm hmmm. If tears make you uncomfortable you might want to steer clear for the next little while.

So tonight, I’m praying for the teachers. Specifically by name, I’m praying for my kids’ teachers, but I’ll be praying for teacher moms and my teacher friends and all those brave men and women heading into the classrooms in the coming days.

Father in heaven, your name is holy.  You’ve seen the beginning of all new things, and you have sustained and strengthened your people throughout.  My prayer tonight is for the teachers- those who teach only one, and those who teach rooms full.  I pray they will daily feel the strength of your presence and the power of your wisdom.  I pray that your will would be done in each classroom, in each interpersonal encounter.  Give your servants each day what is needed for that day- patience, wisdom, perseverance, resourcefulness, and all the rest.  I pray that hurts would be quickly forgiven, that rifts would quickly be healed.  May each teacher look to you for direction each day; lead them in ways of truth and wisdom, far from the edge of temptation.  Deliver all from the designs of the evil one, for yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory for this day, this week, this school year, and forever.  #prayersformychildren #prayerfortheteachers