My kids started school last week.  We’ve navigated the ‘back to school’ season before. We’re not experts, but we’re familiar with the change from summer break to schooling again.  However, this year was different.

I was nervous all day, all week, actually.  I had butterflies in my stomach each time I dropped them off, and they didn’t resolve until we were all back home together.

I could chock it up to several things.  I know that I was nervous about my daughter transitioning to a new school.  I know that I was nervous for my son, who was starting a new grade with a teacher that had left a questionable impression on him.

In the back of my head, I was also still processing the events of El Paso.  Those victims were just doing their weekly errands.  The accused gunman came up from a town that is basically in my backyard.  It really hit a nerve with me.

I knew that I was mainly concerned about the safety of my children. And my nervousness was fueled by the knowledge that their safety was completely out of my control.

On the third day of school, the kids came home with information on how they practiced lock down and evacuation drills.  I wanted to cry and squeeze them and never let go.

One day, during my tumultuous week, I was driving to work, trying to pacify my fears with prayer.  I heard this song and just wept. It’s like God met me in my car. I just had to share it for any of you that maybe struggling with something that only the presence of God can fix.  ~Shiney

“I’m not here for blessing/Jesus, you don’t owe me anything/More than anything that you can do/I just want you”