Deep Breaths - 8/16/18

There are lots of things that go through a mother’s mind when she brings her kiddo to his or her very first day of school.  Will he be brave?  Will he be kind?  Please, God, let him make friends.  Please let his teacher be awesome.  He looks so grown up.  How is he this grown up, wasn't he just taking his first steps?  Now he's running all the time.  Running...I'm not sure if he is capable of sitting still all day in one chair.  Speaking of things he's capable of, will he be able to open everything in his lunch I packed?  He always struggles getting that straw out of the package and into the impossible juice container.  I hope he doesn't starve because he can't open what he needs to.  Oh gosh, will he be bold enough to ask when he needs to go to the bathroom?  And oh Lord, will he be able to wipe on his own?  So many normal things.  But the first thing that went through my mind as I saw his little guy walking in to that big building that will shape his next 13 years?

Jesus, please keep him safe.

This world has become so cold.  It isn't fair when my son's first day of Kindergarten is robbed by the idea that he might not be free from danger in his own classroom.  As I pondered dropping a doorstop into his little Ninjago backpack just in case a desperate time ever called for it, and then wondered how I'd ever explain how to use it to my Kindergartener, my heart absolutely broke.

Jesus, please keep him safe.

Please keep them all safe.  Please help us find a solution that works to protect our children from harm.  Please help our school administrators to discern what to do in tough situations.  Please let our legislators finally come together and get past Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative to keep families in tact.  Please, just keep them safe.

I hugged my boy tight tonight as we talked about his first day.  We talked about the fun things he did, he showed me pictures he drew, talked about the things they are going to learn, and he told me he opened his own juice.  We talked about the importance of being kind to everyone and finally we prayed.  We prayed that all kids would know they are loved, and that during the school year, that Jesus would please keep them all safe.