Back to School Advice

For some of us this time of year brings about big changes – Back to School. For me I have mixed feelings. Thankful that I will have more time for me to devote to Faithful Workouts but sad that we will be back into the school routine. School time means I have less time to spend with my kids and more energy I need to put into keeping them on task – “Wake up, eat your breakfast, don’t forget your lunch, did you do your homework, don’t forget your football gear…..”
It’s way too easy to get so into the school routine that we don’t make the time to talk to our kids about what really matters. If you ask your child, “What is your purpose for being alive?” They would most likely answer, “Um I don’t know” but isn’t really our purpose for being on this earth to give God glory? Isn’t it all about bringing His light into the darkness? Isn’t it about loving God and loving others”
If that is our purpose and our kids’ purpose for being here we need to talk about it with them. Imagine if we all sent our kids off to school with the lyrics from the song, “These are the Words I Would Say”

“Be strong in the lord and,
Never give up hope,
You’re going to do great things,
I already know,
Gods got his hand on you so,
Don’t live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don’t forget why your here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say”

If kids around the world started their day hearing these words and put them into their heart and mind – imagine!
Some of you probably already know this about me but I am really into music. I love music that has an important message. Here is another song that has awesome lyrics for your kids to listen to before they head off to school. This song is called, “Don’t laugh at me”
“I’m a little boy with glasses
The one they call the geek
A little girl who never smiles
‘Cause I’ve got braces on my teeth
And I know how it feels
To cry myself to sleep

I’m that kid on every playground
Who’s always chosen last
A single teenage mother
Tryin’ to overcome my past
You don’t have to be my friend
But is it too much to ask

Don’t laugh at me
Don’t call me names
Don’t get your pleasure from my pain
In God’s eyes we’re all the same
Someday we’ll all have perfect wings
Don’t laugh at me”

Talk to your kids about being kind. Let them know how you feel about teasing. Remind them to look out for the kid who doesn’t have anyone to play with. Reward them for acts of kindness not just for good grades.
My 15 year old daughter, Denika, came home yesterday from school and told me about a teacher that was having a lot of pain from an abscessed tooth. She asked if she could make him some chicken soup.
My heart smiled when I saw her cutting up the veggies and chicken and making the soup. My husband made a point during our family prayer at dinner to thank God for Denika’s kind heart for caring for her teacher. He told her how what she did was showing God’s love not just talking about it.
My family is far from perfect but this was one of those moments when I was so thankful that God had tugged on our hearts and drew us close to Him.

It’s so easy to get caught up in what the world values but keep your focus on God. Pray and ask Him to direct you.