“First day of school, first day of school, first day of school.”
If you’ve watched Finding Nemo 9,376,457 times like we have, then you are familiar with Nemo’s level of excitement as he returns to school after summer break.
I’m not sure who was more what. Between the three us, we were somewhere between Nemo, a sleeping cat and one ready to take the bull by the horns.
Earlier to bed made it easier to rise for one in particular, although his 6:39am excitement (WAY e-a-r-l-y for him) came and vanished pretty quick once he’d shared a brief hug, smile and recap of last night’s dream before deciding to crawl back in bed for just a few more minutes…
Breakfast, Bible and chores were done by 8:30.
Followed by calendar, phonics for one, grammar for the other (OH GOOD! won’t we all be thrilled for me to study and teach the technical side of grammar +comma usage this year! not.) reading, snack/break @ 10 to finish strong with math, geography intro and a song.
Whew! We did it! FIRST DAY DONE!
Lunch was eaten and clean by 12:30 ready for PE (aka 3 laps around the pond, to the far gate and back for 2 more laps) just in time for a little backyard soccer dribbling.
All fine and jim-dandy until the afternoon thunderstorm rolled in, then the dog and the kid afraid of storms made the momma and the other brother want to RUN FOR THE HILLS!!!!!!!!!
My text to the cowboy.
“Where are you? Store or bank?”
“Store”
“I need you. CRAZY DOG + CRAZY KID = CRAZY momma.”
Come on now?? Stay with me.
Surely, I’m not the only crazy momma out there who has had to call MAY-DAY! at some time or another?
It was either call “MAY-DAY” or the other option,
“MAN DOWN! MAN-DOWN! We’ve got a MAN-DOWN!”
When the wind kicked up and catapulted into motion the scared, crying boy holding the tiny little dog who was whining for the big dog that was whimpering and scratching the door from the outside in FULL THROTTLE PANIC because of the sudden summer thunderstorm.
I could:
a) join the full fledge panic pandemonium
b) say things out loud to make the kids and the dog cry
c) do what I had encouraged my kids to do when things go haywire
So, I closed my eyes and whispered,
“Lord, you know that grace and peace we talked about this morning in the calm before this storm? I need both. Grace and peace right now please.”
This I know. He is faithful.
Does He always answer so swiftly? No.
Thankfully, today, yes.
Both storms, inside and out ceased momentarily.
I find it a bit ironic, but not at all, that the boys’ first Bible lesson of the year was about prayer.
We talked at length first thing this morning about how we can pray anytime, anywhere.
Eyes open or closed. When it’s calm and when it’s not.
We had just discussed the fact that God allows things and circumstances to go haywire at times to bring us back to Him.
He wants us to need Him and talk to Him everyday and always.
Funny too, that the Lord would have the words grace and peace jump off the page at me in my time alone with Him.
I find it comforting to know, He knew before I knew, exactly the words and thoughts the boys and I would need for the first day back to school.
Prayer. Peace. Grace.
This is my prayer for you and your crazy house this afternoon.
Particularly those of you reading this that may not have a person to help you when the eye of the storm is raging today or any day for that matter.
I’m cheering you on!
I’m praying this for you,
“Father be the peace in the midst of whatever storm(s) my friends may be facing this afternoon. May your grace enable each one to endure and resist the temptations the enemy may throw their way….May those reading be at peace with You and their people…the “peace that surpasses all understanding”. That sweet peace that comes from knowing and walking with You, the One true God. May You Father, be all that we need. May we honor You in all we think, say and do. Keep us and sustain us we pray in Jesus name.
Love y’all and consider it a privilege to walk along this life journey with you.
🙂 K
PS…Many of you are a week or so in to BACK TO SCHOOL MODE.. How are things on the home front? Smooth sailing or a bit stormy? Let me hear from ya’ …
Well said.
Great first day! I too was with a scared child and large dog. Not that bad until the crashing BOOM thunder then it was on. I had the great honor to baby sit my second great nephew who is today, two weeks old and also dog sitting. I am sure my cats at home were either under the bed or hiding in the closet. But I too, begin to sing His words and assure the little man and dog that my God never fails or forsakes His children. Both settled quickly as did the storm. Praise God!
Thanks for sharing your world with us.
Loved it! Gotta share it.
Happy new school year, dear friend! Love the way the God showed Himself on your first day of school. Life is never dull when we’re trekking with Jesus, huh? Thanks for the prayers. I’m always up for MORE PEACE and GRACE. Hugs from up north:)