School’s in session; drive and guide carefully

By Pastor Ginny Olson
St. Peter Lutheran Church, Eldorado

Jesus loves the little children,

All the children of the world.

Red and yellow, black and white,

They are precious in His sight.

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

The new school year has begun with bright faces, new supplies, lots of hope and a little bit of anxiety about new beginnings. We are so privileged to have an education system that includes all children. They are taught, tested, encouraged and guided as they learn, each year building on the last one.

Our task as parents, grandparents and caregivers is to make sure our children are ready for school each day. Beyond breakfast, homework checks, faces washed and teeth brushed, there is another task that is of supreme importance:  Send your children out the door each morning with a blessing.  You could learn together the blessing in Numbers 6:24-26:

  The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up his countenance upon you

And give you peace.

As our children make their way through each day of learning, they are surrounded by our love and our prayers.  School’s in session — drive carefully and guide carefully so that our children will grow in knowledge, confidence, grace and kindness. 

As children grow and leave home for college and other places, pray this blessing on them as well. Tell them always that they are in our prayers and in our hearts and that we believe in them as they make their way into new worlds of possibility and service.

Please pray with me:

Gracious God, thank you for the gift of children. Thank you for schools and teachers. Grant your blessings on this new school year. Amen.