School takes on different forms for moms today. Some stand waving at bus stops. Others drop off backpack-clad kids from creeping car lines. Some push aside laundry and turn their home space into school space each day. As I teacher, I shake my head at today’s variety of learning versions, like a big box of crayons. With all the curriculums and customized formats unique to families, we may wonder if there are still Back-to-School messages meant for “all the moms”. Yes, there are. There are essential, comforting words from the Teacher for your school year.
Good teachers don’t ask students to do what they aren’t willing to do. So it was with Jesus when he was, “born in the likeness of men,” and grew up, “found in human form,” (Philippians 2:5-8). While he never stopped being God’s Son, he got the full human experience. He learned, practiced, grew, and left home. People who followed him closely learned from him and called him “Rabbi,” which means “Teacher.” (John 1:38)
This is the teacher whose words still matter to all the moms, regardless of schooling style or season. The Teacher Jesus spoke important messages to people listening to his every word and watching him speak. Lessons he taught are fresh and whole, like a new box of crayons. They haven’t fallen into broken bits worn down by time and changing culture. Words from this Teacher, from The Teacher, comfort moms launching a new school year.
REST
Are you in a place of rest so you can create a place of rest for your students? Part of God’s plan for the nurturing and learning of our children is the presence of a mom, a nurterer, making a restful environment to grow up in.
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
There’s no need to let school sweep us into a frenzy—not even in “that” style of school. Weary, burdened mom spinning all the school plates, you can take all the school things to the Teacher who will help you learn His ways. He’s gentle and humble in his approach to teaching. Positioning ourself in his Rabbi-like posture leads to rest.
The Teacher’s objective for you and your school year is not perfection. It’s a light burden when presented to the Master Teacher. “You’re there,” making a life of rest for your student, as Jesus makes a life of rest for us. Kindergarten to college, our students need to know we’re crafting a gentle home for them to learn and grow, to practice and progress.
When we’re resting in the Master Teacher mom, we’re able to make our homes a place of rest for our learners too. Part of God’s plan for your kids involves you being there.
BELIEVE
Much of the stress brought on by having students comes from concern that our kids won’t get to where they need to be when they need to be there. But each child is on their own unique learning track. Each student has their own “scope and sequence” for how and when they’ll master lesson objectives and life skills.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26)
The students in our lives and on our hearts are shaped by divine design. They’re made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). We have every reason to believe God has given our individual child what he or she needs for their learning, their progress, and their success in their unique school journey.
Believe this as the new school year starts—your child will get “there.”
RELAX
New school years of any kind have a way of making a mama feel alone. Alone in what she knows about her unique child, in what her days look like, in the roles she plays in her child’s education. That sense of aloneness can lead to misunderstanding the size of our responsibility or even the scope of our control. But really, moms, we can relax.
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)
When Jesus spoke these reassuring words to his original followers, they were on the brink of feeling totally alone. After teaching them many lessons in person for three years, he was leaving.
Faced with the commission to put their learning into practice by going out to teach and train others globally, they needed encouragement and focus for their responsibility. The people following Jesus then, and now, had a big task. Thankfully, the physical absence of Jesus doesn’t mean the personal absence of Jesus—then and now.
No version of schooling has privilege here. Ultimately, no co-op, support group, parent association, or resource replaces the fact that Jesus is with us and we need Him. Words from The Teacher are still words for today and for this school year.
Here you are in this new school year, mom. And Jesus is here too.
Resources for your new school year:
- The ABCs of Praying for Students – This is a story-form devotional, written for parents and educators. It will encourage you as you start this new school year, providing practical ways to pray effectively for the learners in your life. I wrote this as a guide to use with a friend or a mom’s group. It just the right amount of encouragement for a school day. $9.99
- The Raising Christian Kids podcast – THIS episode is all about how to help your kids adjust to a new school year. Lori & Lee Ann give helpful guidance for kids making big transitions.
- I created this printable PRAYER WALK GUIDE for parents, educators, churches, and communities to use in covering their kids and a new school year in prayer. Print it, fold it, and go for a walk that impacts all of the learners in our life! I love hearing how parent groups, schools, and churches use this every year to launch a new school year!
