2_Harvest_B2S-4

School days, school days, dear old golden rule days . . . . As you are purchasing school clothes, backpacks and supplies for your children, remember that not everything that your children need can be found on the shelves of Wal-Mart, K-Mart, or Target. As Christian women, we are called to raise our children in the ways of the Lord. Proverbs 22:6 tells us, “Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.” But we need to remember that this isn’t just about rules and discipline, although those things are important too. One of the most important things we can do is to be loving and encouraging to our children. John Wesley, in his commentary on Titus 2:4, that young women should “love their children with a tender, temperate, holy, wise affection.”

If I may, let me give you few things to always keep close to your heart when it comes to your children:

  1. It is only a fraction of time that you have with your children. In the scope of our lives, we raise our children and release them. Believe me, this time flies by. Remind yourself of this often! Cherish this time.
  2. Prepare your kids with lots of support and love at home. They will be tested, measured, evaluated, compared, graded, sized up, accepted, and rejected every day at school. It’s a dog-eat-dog world, so make your home a sanctuary of unconditional love. Give them hugs and kisses daily, especially the teenagers! Be consistent in your discipline, but also match every correction with your expressions of love and encouragement.
  3. Pray, pray, pray. Pray with your child daily. Pray for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit and have the inner strength that comes from knowing who they are in Christ. Pray for their protection. Pray for their friends by name. Pray for their teachers.

There is so much we can do to prepare for school days ahead, but I hope you are encouraged to know that the Lord has provided us with what we need spiritually to prepare our children. Send them off dressed and equipped in their spiritual armor every day!