School has begun for most students across the world so EmpowerMoments is featuring a series entitled “Back to School”. Read this week as our writers will share stories and learned lessons from their school-related experiences. So, come and get on our EmpowerMoments school bus!
This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. (Psalms 91:2 NLT)
This morning I noticed my daughter was really hyper or as I call it, “on 10”! I’m sure part of it had to do with her NaNa coming to visit this week and the sweet tea she allowed her to drink for breakfast. Can’t trust Grandmas! At any rate, I wanted to snatch her in the midst of her speedy transitions throughout the house, but I remembered a promise I made to God when she first started attending school. I promised to never yell at her before she went off to school because I didn’t want her to have a bad day. I knew that my words could speak either life or death to my daughter (see Proverbs 18:21) and I eventually took yelling out of my discipline strategy all together.
My daughter continued her morning routine of talking seventeen miles a minute (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree) and dancing throughout the house. I sternly redirected her towards getting dressed to avoid being late. She was obedient and we then proceeded to our vehicle. When I strapped her in, I told her we were going to pray all the way to school, and we did. We thanked God and prayed about her behavior this morning and her future actions at school. As we pulled into the parking lot, we sang our school song as we do every morning and she hopped out into the arms of her teacher. I was confident that she would have a good day!
I share this story because it is imperative that we not only send our children off to school on a good note, but help them recognize that God is a present help when they need to learn self-control. Furthermore, they need to know that God is not just at church, but He walks with them during school. I remember getting on the bus every morning to face this girl that used to bully me all the way to school. I hated riding the bus because she was so mean to me. I felt so alone and contemplated telling my Mom, but I didn’t think it was that serious to tell anyone. So, I prayed every morning that the mean girl wouldn’t try to start a fight with me. I recall another incident in high school when I failed a try-out for the drill team captain. That loss hurt me to my core because I wanted it so bad. I cried for days and the only thing that allowed me to move forward was the prayers my mother shared with me during that time. During those instances, I imitated what I saw my mother or other Christians do in times of grief and trouble. They prayed.
Dear Daddy,
Thank You for my children. Thank You for trusting me to be their guide here on earth. Lord, I ask that Your Spirit cover them with Your precious blood. Father, I pray that every encounter is used to build and enrich them. Help them to be a leader amongst their friends and to share the love of Christ. Lord, I pray they remain focused while in class, obedient to the rules, sensitive to those that need them, and strong when they face challenges. Father, please protect the teachers, staff, and administration. I pray they operate under Your anointing through order, fairness, humility, love, kindness, and intelligence. Lord, please protect my children on the playground, at practice, and to and from school. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Ladies, I EMPOWER you to pray over the child in your life before they go to school. Pray with them and for them. They need to know that God is their refuge in times of confusion, fear, trouble, misbehavior, bullying, and defeat. When they recognize that you go to the Father on their behalf, they’ll imitate you. I refuse to accept that prayer has been removed from schools. Teach your children to pray! We do not know what they face every day and the burdens they carry.
What are some ways you incorporate God into your child’s school life?
Read a related EmpowerMoment: Take Time for Them
___________________________________________________________________
As a professional, Mrs. Khalilah Burton is a College Biology Instructor. She is also currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Higher Ed and Community College Leadership. Khalilah is passionate about her faith journey and uses this key scripture as her inspiration: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 KJV) She and her husband serve as Co-Service leaders and Co-Group leaders of SustainedLove, which supports marriage get-a-ways from Family Life. Khalilah also serves as a guest speaker and panelist for various events for women and Christian empowerment. Khalilah resides in Millbrook, Alabama with her wonderful husband Donald Burton, Jr. and their two daughters. They attend Vaughn Forest Church. Check out Khalilah’s Christian weight loss blog here.