Back to…
This week, the children in our county (including my grandchildren) start back to school after summer break. Perhaps you have children or grandchildren that will also be rising earlier and trudging out the door for a new school year.
I’m praying for our children. Will you join me–and include teachers and all school personnel?
Back to school
Parents are likely relieved, while students may have mixed feelings about returning to school. Teachers likely have mixed feelings, too. As a retired educator, I miss the excitement and anticipation of a new school year–and the sense of purpose I had in making a difference in the lives of students. But I also confess to some relief not to be going back to school.
Heading back to school is just one of many “back to” events we’ll experience over our life times.
Back to Basics
As a young adult, I remember my father and mother learning how to tap the maple trees on our farm, collecting sap, and boiling the sap over a wood fire to reduce it into maple syrup.
We didn’t live in New England–we live in the South. Nor did we know anything about making maple syrup. But somewhere along the way, my parents studied and learned about long held methods of harvesting sap and turning it into the best maple syrup I’ve ever eaten.
They went back to the basics.
Although I don’t want to wash clothes on a rock in the river, there’s much to be said for some of the traditions we had in the past. I enjoy canning and making homemade bread.
And I’d really love to go back and have some of that homemade maple syrup my parents made over forty rears ago.
Can you share some other “back to” events that have been meaningful for you?
Return Back to God
But what about a more serious return back?
In the years which followed Solomon’s rule, the kings of Israel and Judah wavered in their faithfulness to God. So did the people.
But, then, as is now, there were faithful people who called for a return back to God. Azariah, son of Oded, met with King Asa of Judah and told him:
“Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them.” (2 Chronicles 15:2-4)
However, as seems to be the trend among humans, people continue to struggle with maintaining their faithfulness to God.
During the period of exile, when many of the children of Israel were in captivity in Babylon, Jeremiah wrote to them about their return to God and their homeland.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plan to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14a)
The message from the prophets is clear–seek the LORD–and if we’ve slipped away from the Lord, we know it’s us–not Him who has moved.
- Have we fallen away from church?
- Has our busy lifestyle taken away from our quiet time with God. Do we make time daily for prayer, meditation, and Bible study?
- Do we have a stronghold of anger, unforgiveness, or pride separating us from God?
We can return back to our Father.
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. (Isaiah 55:6-7).
Jesus is waiting to welcome us back. He came to set us free from the prison of sin and oppression.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)
I hope you will be in prayer with me for our students, educators, and all school personnel as they return to school. Can we also pray for each other to seek a closer relationship with our Lord?
One thing I miss about back to school is the safety. We never even thought about a person coming into school with a gun to kill. Boys had guns in the window of trucks and no one ever grabbed one and shot up the school. But these are the times of the last days and evil shows its head. Back to God is right. If we have strayed He is there to welcome us to Him. If we have been faithful, our message to the world shows them how to seek the Lord. Blessings, Katherine!
I remember those days, too, Barbara. As a country girl, we lived in an area where hunting was standard procedure and lots of folks had guns hanging in their trucks. I hope we all will pray for the safety of our children and for peace on earth among all people. Wishing you joy and blessings.
Praying for a great school year and that we will all grow closer to God.
Thank you for your prayers, Diana.
Our small Christian school came back last week. All prayers appreciated! Please pray for wisdom and grace. That we teach more than books, facts, and numbers. That we encourage courtesy, respect, and love of others and country. Most of all–love of God. Thanks, Katherine, and God bless!
Thank you for sharing this prayer, Nancy. I just prayed your words. The peace, grace, and love you demonstrate is what we all need to emulate. Praying for your teaching, your students, a safe and productive school year, and your ministry.
I love a return back to the elevation of women as homemakers, prayer in schools, and yes, us turning back to the Lord.
I agree, Priscilla. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you joy and blessings.
Back to deeper prayer with a greater concentration on the Lord’s voice rather than my rambling. Back to trusting him and ACCEPTING the peace that he gives. Back to the challenge of leaving all my anxious concern about unanswered prayers and tricky relationships in his capable hands.
Great inspiration for this season, Katherine!
Trust! That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it, Mary? If we have faith in our Lord, we will trust in His promises. Thank you for sharing.
Love this message, Katherine. I am also a retired teacher, so my heart and prayers go out to students, teachers and staff as they begin a new year. I long to get back to simpler times work with our hands. Baking bread and working with the earth. Like you, I especially desire to get back to the Lord, bringing fresh manna for my soul day by day.
Thank you, Melissa, for stopping by my blog and sharing your thoughts. I echo your hopes–simpler times, greater faith in our Lord, safety for our students and teachers, and more love. I pray we can love like Jesus. Peace and blessings!
Great post, Katherine.
A friend and I were praying for the school children just last night. This morning I’ve been praying for my grandson, William, who started student teaching this week.
A good friend is running for school board.
Much to pray about in this season!!
Your bread in that lovely picture looks much like the banana bread I made last night.
I enjoyed reading all the comments from your readers in this post. Thanks.
Thank you for your encouragement, Connie. You are right–there’s so much to pray for. I know you are proud of your grandson.. I’m proud of him! We need faithful, dedicated teachers. My bread was Friendship Bread and banana was one of the flavors I made regularly. May God bless you and your ministry of service to Him.
I’m praying for all our schools and that they will be places of safety, learning and love.
When we lived in Michigan, I remember seeing the taps in the maple trees. Great memories
It warms my heart to know you’re praying, too, Yvonne. Our prayers will help keep our children safe. Thank you!
I can’t pass a school in my car without praying for blessings and the safety for all those who make up a “school.” I’m like you. I miss it, and I don’t.
Thank you for praying, Candyce. Even though we’re not in the schools now, we can still help through our prayers.