It’s that time again! A new school year is beginning, and with that comes lots of emotions for everyone: excitement, sadness, joy, worry, and everything in between.

We had a really restful summer. My kids were ready to get back to school ths morning to see their friends and meet their teachers. I dropped my youngest off at kindergarten with only slightly moist eyes, but when I got home, the tears came a-rollin’!

There are so many things I hope and pray for about my kids and who they will become. The Lord has been so faithful to remind me this summer through our study of Psalm 23 that He put that chapter in the Bible for us too, moms and dads, not just for our kids. Psalm 23:4 stood out to me more than ever this summer: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.”

I am a pretty fearful person. I wish I wasn’t, I try not to be, but my first reaction is usually to fear. I tend to think of the worst scenario instead of immediately turning to God (Philippians 4:6) and thinking on what is good and true and right (Philippians 4:8). Many of my fears have to do with my kids. I’m not even going to go into all of that, but I do want to encourage you to remember that even when we are walking in the valley of the shadow of death and there is evil all around, that God is with us. He knows, and He is our comfort and our protection. He will guide us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Psalm 23:3).

I hope that as the school year begins, we remember to look to Him first. I have added a new Back to School tab up at the top of this page. When you click on it, you will find some verses and short passages to read over with your kids before the school day begins. They are all pretty familiar, so even if you don’t have time right now before you leave, talk about them as you drive or walk to school or to the bus stop. Pray over them throughout the day while your kids are at school.

Rememeber what God says in Philippians 4:7, after He reminds us to take all our requests to Him, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Love you, friends.

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8

As a former teacher, I have learned that for most kids, young and old alike, it is best to try to teach the subjects that require the greatest concentration first thing, while their minds are fresh. We can use this same concept for starting our day with the Lord. While our kids are fresh and not as bogged down by the things that will happen throughout the day, we should teach them to store up His word in their hearts (Psalm 119:11) and to put their hope in His words (Psalm 119:147).

When my kids were super young I would try to read them stories or do a short, little “school” lesson, only to be met with wiggles and talking and hands getting into things that they weren’t supposed to be into. Finally, it dawned on me to stick a snack in their hands and sit with them at a table. It seems like such a simple solution, but it really worked! Everyone had something to keep their hands busy (the food) and by sitting at a table, everyone had their own personal space so they weren’t as tempted to mess with their brother and sisters.

Eventually we started having our morning meetings at the breakfast table (which for many years was at a tiny, kid-sized, green table with four tiny, wobbly chairs on which I am sure I exceeded the weight limit). We started when my girls were learning their ABC’s, and we were spending a week on each letter. We would do activities about each letter, eat foods that started with that letter, practice writing those letters, etc. Each morning we would read a story from the Bible about a person whose name started with that letter. This led to more of my teacher side coming out-I could teach them the Bible using THEMES!!!

Every month we memorize a new Bible verse (I try to teach them with motions or through a song), and that Bible verse contains the theme for the month. For example, this month’s Bible verse has been Isaiah 46:9: “I am God, and there is no other. I am God and there is none like Me.” So our theme has been God’s Power. We have looked at Bible stories that show how powerful God is, and we talk about how He is the ONLY One who is able to do the things He has done.

Our morning meetings don’t always go super smoothly, but I have never regretted the time we spend together and with the Lord. Some days the kids all sit quietly and listen and answer my questions, while other days someone is angry or fussing or being way too silly. The Lord can use the good days and the bad days to teach ALL of us His ways and lead us in His Truth (Psalm 25:5). When we commit our way to the Lord and trust in Him, He will act (Psalm 37:5).