All around the world, families are starting to prepare for the Fall season. School is back in session this month and schedules are back to the grind. Some people find comfort in the predictability of the schedule, while others feel stressed by it. We know that as soon as school starts up, it’s just a hop skip and a jump to the holiday season. All this anticipation and transition can leave us feeling both excited and anxious.
Back to school is the beginning of the hustle. The kick-off to a season full of of new routines, schedules, responsibilities, gatherings, and usually stresses. As a teacher and now mama to a school aged kiddo, I can feel the tensions rising as we prepare for school to start. Some of you are already there.
It can be easy to walk into these back to school days begrudgingly, longing to keep all the Summer goodness intact. I don’t know about you, but I want more for us in this season. I propose we treat it with the same anticipation we do the New Year--with all the excitement of fresh starts, healthy goals and new attitudes.
Let us walk with grace and grit into this whirlwind that is sure to happen, because we will absolutely not be owned by a season.
And if we’re going to do this, then we’re going to need a plan.
We need a plan that keeps us tethered to the source of all the goodness, perseverance, and grace we will need to help us do this season well. A plan that keeps us thriving instead of living in a state of reacting, victimization and merely surviving through our days.
Let us find joy in all the things this Fall. Let us see the beauty in the nature and people surrounding us. Let's be finders of the good, instead of critics and complainers.
Maybe your plan will include a morning quiet time. Maybe your plan will be speaking affirmations of His truth over your day. Spend some time in prayer asking God how He might want to change the attitude of your heart in preparation for the coming season.
If you're like me and need some accountability to stick to a new habit, I am hosting a 50 Day Challenge on Facebook beginning Monday, August 19th, that will hold you accountable to getting some quiet time and reflection in each day. The group page will provide a space for us to interact throughout the 50 days. We’ll work through the devotional, Remain: 50 Devotions to Abide Like You Belong (which you can find on Amazon or Barnes & Noble). I'll post the challenge for the day and leave it open for anyone to discuss insights and thoughts. My prayer is that this group would be an encouragement to your heart and a safe place for your hard moments.
Every single one of us needs vulnerability pouring in and out of our lives. We need that connectedness to Christ and others. We’re simply better together. So, let’s link arms in running toward finding motivation in the mundane, toward living loved, toward giving and receiving grace, and most importantly toward living a life that speaks to the joy we have found in Jesus alone despite our circumstances. Amen?
Tara, it was like you was speaking directly to me. This new school year brings 2 high schoolers and a 5th grader. Plus healing from spinal surgery. I love what you said about us walking into it with grace and grit. I need to remember that daily. I wrote about 3 fronts that all married couples need to be united on. I would love for you to check it outhttp://keepingthetiethatbinds.com/2019/08/14/3-fronts-in-marriage-to-always-be-united-on/
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