First Day Of School~

After filling out the lengthy application, awaiting the confirmation of enrollement, the day has finally arrived. Jaiden's first day of "school" at our church (Irving Bible Church) in the Kids Day Out program.

We have been preparing for this day for about a week, reminding Jaiden that she is going to be going to "school" and that she will be meeting new friends, that we pray she will be a good listener to her teachers (Ms. Stephanie and assistant Ms. Susie), and that we're very proud of her.

It has been fun...picking out her backpack and lunch tote (covered in lady bugs per Jaiden's choice of course!), and realizing that you can NOT get a nap mat the weekend before classes start (whoops!), but none of the enjoyment of the unimportant things could have prepared my heart for the feeling I got when she came into the kitchen, all dressed and said, "ready mama!" It's only the Kids Day Out program and I got a lump in my throat. She's not even three, and I couldn't believe how quickly she has grown thus far.

I often wonder if that is how God feels when we, His children, finally pick something up and move toward the next step in our spiritual lives. I wonder if our Sovereign God actually looks down at us from Heaven and thinks, "wow, he/she is really growing (maturing) Spiritually" and gets a lump in His heavenly throat.

As I watched Jaiden walk down the hallway to her classroom with her backpack propped just right so that if she were to sway too far to the left or the right, she would topple over with the weight of only her lunch tote and folder, I am whispering to myself, "go on baby...go on. You can do it, you're such a big girl! Don't turn back, don't turn back!" And as much as I want to go run up to her, grab her and take her in my arms and head right back home, I let her go.

I know that our Father does just that. He prepares us for our Walk of life and as we utilize the tools He has given us, we take off. We are walking down the path that He has created for us and He is whispering from His almighty Place, "Go on...go on! You can do it, you're such a mighty warrior of mine! Don't turn back, don't turn back!" And as much as it hurts Him to know that even with our armor/our bag full of supplies, we could topple over at any minute... He lets us go.

I am excited for Jaiden to meet new friends, learn new things, and experience new events as well. But I am even more excited to see what path He has for her and pray that we can only guide her down that path. We will be praying for, with, and over her. We will equip her with all that God has given us. We will continue to encourage her to grow, and we will hesitantly, but certainly let go and watch her walk down that hall of life. We have no choice. God's plan far exceeds that of our own. And to just turn around and head right back where we came... where would that take us?

I urge you sisters and brothers... use what the Lord has given you to fill your child's spiritual backpack, push yourselves to new levels of growth as well. So when the bell of Christ's return is heard in the wind, we can hear our Lord God say, "Go on! Go on!"

Jods