My kids have been back at school for 2 weeks now.  The weeks before are always filled with anticipation- and dread.  They eagerly await the email that says who their teacher will be for the year.  This year, my son started middle school, so he had a full on schedule with 8 periods and their respective teachers.  We had meet the teacher night where we met all the teachers and walked his entire schedule.  We did the back to school shopping for all the supplies and lunch boxes and whatever else was needed.

While I was scurrying around Walmart with my family, I couldn’t help but remember the families that lost their lives a few years ago while they were doing the same thing.  When I walked around both of their schools, I noticed signs on the door to remind staff and students that the door was to be closed and not propped open. I thought of the school year starting in Uvalde and wondered what those families must be feeling right now.

Needless to say, I’ve been dealing with a lot of fear. I tried to help my kids with their anxieties on returning to school- we prayed and talked and prayed more and talked more.  Now, two weeks in, they are more relaxed and have realized that many of their fears were unfounded.

I have been struggling with my own fears- school related, work related, life related- you name it.  My fears tend extend to pretty much anything that isn’t in my immediate control.  It’s crazy, I know, but it’s real.  I take myself through the same process that I took my kids through- “What’s the worst case scenario here?” “What is real and what is in your head?”

This song says it better than I could–
“My fears would surely kill me
If I didn’t know the truth
The things that I’m afraid of
Are afraid of You”

All the things that I am afraid of are not in my control, but they ARE in HIS control.  I only see a limited perspective, but HE knows how all the pieces fit together.  While I may be afraid of catastrophe, HE knows the testimony on the other side.  I have been reading through the book of Job and was reminded that God’s love for His children never falters.  Job maintained his confidence in God, even though he had every reason to renounce his faith.  I have been through nothing compared to what Job experienced.  No matter what fears start speaking to me, I need to remember to trust that God is holding me in his hand.

The link to the song is below.

~Shiney