I long to live from a place of rest,
to teach and mother from peace rather
than anxiety. I’m quite certain
that He desires that for all of us–
His beloved daughters
called to the educating
and raising up of little hearts
and minds.
by Sarah Mackenzie
So I made the kids their back-to-school Schultüte (locally known as “tooter poopers”) and they were happy. I was happy too, seeing their joy, but the closer I got to the first day of school…
The first day of our school, Our Lady of the Angels…
The more anxious and overwhelmed I felt.
Every new school year, it’s the same old fear. In short, I don’t how it is that someone as impatient and disorganized as myself can be a constant and—somehow—loving presence to my children.
Well, I can’t do it…
Ha! Not this kid! Not a chance.
…but God can.
Today I woke up at four with a knot in my stomach, made a cup of coffee and sat down to prayer. “I give You everything!” I told Him, in tears, “Please take it despite my imperfections. Please take my everything through the hands of Mary.”
He, in return, gave me a sense of peace. He gave me the “everything” I needed.
(patent pending)
I thought, I need to re- read Sarah’s Teaching from Rest.
Her words were just the balm that my worried heart needed.
“We have to stop fretting over every little detail. We need to stop comparing. We’ve got to drop the self-inflated view that we are the be-all-end-all of whether the education we are offering our children is going to be as successful as we hope it is. After all, our job is not to be successful- success itself is entirely beside the point.
“It’s faithfulness that He wants. God is good! He isn’t going to let us pour out our hearts for our children only to be left choking on the dust of our mistakes.”
She’s right, of course, but I needed the reminder. ; )
May God bless you today as you make your way!
I wish you a peace-filled back-to-school. ♥
When we go camping my favorite part of the weekend is going to a different catholic church. There was this priest from Nigeria and his accent was so thick…couldnt understand him the whole time..but I loved his opening for the homily…He said, "God is good" and the whole congregation said, "all the time"…they said that like 4 times then he reversed it and the priest said "all the time"…and the whole congregation said…"God is good" another 4 times….it was a wow moment. Happy beginning of school to you and your family!
Christine, that line is from God's Not Dead!! If you haven't seen that movie, you must!! We want to buy it, so good!
Happy first day.
Let's try that again…Happy First Day! 🙂
I have been so anxious, and I know part of it is school coming at me. Not being prepared enough, yet how many years have I been doing this? 11? Why do I feel the need to plan every detail? Thank you for posting that quote from Sarah. And telling us about your prayerful moment this morning. I have been doing more pleading in desperation than prayerful offering. My way doesn't seem to be working.
Hahahahaha! Barbara, this made me laugh. 🙂 Love your resolve to be cheerful, lol.
Glad to help make your day more joyous, Sarah!
And, Margaret, a little PS. I thought about that top photo all day yesterday. It is just so revealing…the faces, the hidden faces, the closed eyes, the shining smiles, the bright eyes — love it. But someone is missing — was that rebellious or just absent? 😉 love ya.
You are observant! He was at a friend's house for the afternoon and the oldest needed to work at 4:00 so I made the call…get a picture of most if not all.
That's kind of the story of our lives these days, isn't it? Most if not all. Work with what we've got and trust in Him for all the rest.
So much ordinary loveliness here. Blessings to you on this day – and on every day.
Hope your first day went well Margaret!
Happy First Day!
Thank you for even more wisdom to encourage and set me straight before we slide into another school year. Why haven't I read Sarah's book yet?! How could've I forgotten about it?! I think I NEED to do that. Just the other day a certain student was lamenting the onset of school next week and these words they said have been humbling me in my head: "School is ok. It's just that I like summer so much better. It just seems like you get all stressed during the school year when we aren't doing everything you want." *gulp*
THAT is exactly what I do not want repeated this year. I am hoping that a change of pace, a slight change in homeschool style/curricula, and a peaceful momma will give our year a different look.
Thank you again for the inspiration.
Blessings on your school year!
Prayers that you had a beautiful first day! This year is quite different for us. After 8 years of home schooling, we are sending our kids to school. The grace that was given to me over the last few years was, "Let Me do it"…thinking that I should just continue to abandon myself. Alas, it was not that. And He has made it abundantly clear that home schooling is not His will for us. Which was hard to really listen to and accept. Sort of like jumping off a cliff of the unknown, since home schooling is what we've always done. However, His mercies cannot be outdone! He has provided the most amazing school for my older three (Catholic), and my other two special needs kiddos have a wonderful support team at their different schools. I've been repeating this prayer daily, especially when the anxiety kicks in:
Per ipsum et cum ipso et in ipso:
through Jesus, with Jesus, and in Jesus.
Well, you know we send our kids off into the {relative} unknown when they reach the 7th grade. And it's hard to do, EVERY TIME, but was especially hard last year when I lost my "right hand gal."
I doubted my decision all year long. There's no doubt about it, sometimes it's just hard and we won't know–won't really know–until eternity. But God knows, and He sees our hearts. It's our job to keep giving those hearts to Him, and keep them (our hearts) open and soft so that He can fill them and mold them as He likes.
Easy peasy, right? : )
Easy peasy, 🙂 That's good to know. I feel better. I think I will cry buckets for weeks.
I only have three, and the theme of our lives is most if not all right now, can totally relate!
Well, first, Christine, I know the priest you are speaking of from Nigeria. He used to be at our parish. Margaret, I hope your first day of school went well. I really enjoyed seeing the little man sporting his chocolate whiskers! We will start all subjects after Labor Day and started Math this week. Trying to not take it all in and feel overwhelmed. Faithfulness matters! I will try to print that motto and post it everywhere."It's faithfulness that He wants. God is good! He isn't going to let us pour out our hearts for our children only to be left choking on the dust of our mistakes." Jesus, I trust in You!
Cheri
Words to live by from my beloved St. Francis de Sales: “Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. The same loving Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and every day. Either he will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.” Have a beautiful school year, Mags! Throw the kids into His arms, work hard every day, and be at peace. 🙂
Well, I'm sure your day went the way God planned, since you gave Him everything!
Just finished our 2nd week…doing OK, still in denial that summer is pretty much over.
Love the chocolate kissie baby boy!!