prayerful beginnings...

Beginnings. 

Butterflies-in-the-stomach kind of excitement and nervousness all rolled into one.

I have found myself in a constant state of prayer over so many beginnings this past week.

I have one niece starting seventh grade, a nephew starting a new school, another niece is starting school all together.  Not to mention, my friends' children who are starting a brand new school year.  Some are starting school all together, others are starting high school or middle school.  And I have friends {and a sister} who are teachers and they are starting a new school year with new students.

I have a friend who just graduated from Clemson and started a job.  Another friend starting her senior year at Clemson and preparing for med school and her brother is starting his senior year of high school.  Another friend who just left home and headed to the upstate to finish college. 

A best friend who just had a baby boy.  Another best friend starting over as a single mom. 

Beginnings.

'Beginnings are scary. Endings are usually sad,

but it's what's in the middle that counts.

So, when you find yourself at the beginning,

just give hope a chance to float up. And it will.'

Hope Floats

My prayers this week have been ones of Truth.  My hope is that everything about these moments will glorify Jesus.

For those starting high school, my prayer is that you will not judge a book by its cover.  I pray you will look to the heart of a person, instead of their outfit or hair color.  And I pray that when your peers look at you they see Jesus....not the latest fashion trend.

'But the Lord said to Samuel,

“Don’t judge by his appearance or height,

for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see

things the way you see them.

People judge by outward appearance,

but the Lord looks at the heart.”'

1 Samuel 16:7

For those starting middle school, my prayer is that the mean girls {and boys} stay far away from you.  And I pray that you fight the urge to be a mean girl {or boy}.  I pray that you will let your fruit ripen, so that those around you know that Jesus lives in you.

'But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.'

Galatians 5:22-23

For those starting a new school {or starting school for the first time} and new jobs, my prayer is that your anxious tummies and hearts will be flooded with the peace that surpasses all understanding.  And when that calmness washes over you, I pray that you know it is Jesus at work in your life.

'Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

 present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'

Philippians 4:6-7

For those facing the end of high school or college or those who are starting school in a new area and town, I pray that you will seek God in all the decisions you make.  I pray that you will discern what is His perfect will for your lives and that nothing {or no one} will be able to move you from that path.

'If you wander from the right path,

either to the right or to the left,

you will hear a voice behind you saying,

“You should go this way. Here is the right way.”

Isaiah 30:21

For my best friend who just gave birth and my teacher friends, I pray that you always know {even on the most difficult of days} that children are a gift from God.  God has appointed you to guide and teach and direct those children in a path that points to the Cross. 

'Children are a gift from the Lord;
    they are a reward from him.'

Psalm 127:3

For my friend who faces the coming days as a single parent, I pray that you know that God has the power to heal broken hearts.  In fact, He promises that He will.  And I pray that you know that God works all things together {even those not-so-good things} for good.  Cling to His promises, my sweet friend.  He so deeply loves you.

'He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.'

Psalm 147:3

'And we know that in all things God

works for the good of those who him,

who have been called according to his purpose.'

Romans 8:28

For my friends who are the parents of children facing beginnings, I pray that you will guide your precious ones in the ways of the Lord.  I pray that your reaction to situations and circumstances will be tempered through the love of Jesus.  I pray you dress yourselves in the full armor of Christ, each and every day, so that you will be able to stand firm when the difficult times roll in.  And I pray that you use the times of difficulty {as well as the times of praise} to lift your children up before the Lord with words that will only help them grow stronger in their walks with Christ.

'When you talk, don’t say anything bad.

But say the good things that people need—

whatever will help them grow stronger.

Then what you say will be a blessing to those who hear you.'

Ephesians 4:29

I pray all of these things in the glorious, powerful, all-mighty, saving name of Jesus.  Amen.