It’s that time of year again as we get ready to send our kids back to school. Yet, I think most of us can agree that it looks and feels different this year. Many have been faced with the unprecedented decision: do we keep our kids at home for virtual learning or do we send them to school for face to face classes? Some have even been faced with the decision of returning to the same school setting or transitioning to a new one.
With this decision, I think most of us can also agree that there has been anxiety. After all, there are many unknowns and we just want to do what’s best for our children.
That’s where I found myself just weeks ago. What should have been an exciting time for us as we prepared our firstborn to leave for college was instead filled with questions, questions, questions. Talk about confusion and unrest in our minds.
But the word that kept resonating in my mind was JOY. Naturally, I wondered how that could be the word in the midst of all this crazy. But as I studied the book of Philippians, I realized what the Lord was impressing upon my heart.
“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4 KJV)
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, his writing overflows with joy and thankfulness, even though he is writing from prison (yes, you read correctly). In Philippians 4:11, he states “… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
Paul’s secret to being content regardless of the circumstance was drawing on Christ’s power for strength, as we read in the Message version of Philippians 4:13: “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.”
I have also found great encouragement from the following quote by Rick Warren: “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”
This time with the Lord led us to choose joy. Ultimately, we prayerfully decided that our daughter will be moving onto campus this weekend and we are so excited about what the Lord has in store for her future.
Maybe, like me, you are wondering if you are doing the right thing. Rest assured that our children are in the Lord’s hands. He loves them and cares for them way more than we ever can. So whatever your decision looks like for this new school year, know that God is with your child and may the joy of the Lord be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). I’m praying for you, Friend!
~Joyce
Photo Credit: www.justinspiredvisuals.com
