“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
I just did a
search of my blog for this verse because it is a favorite, and I knew I had
used it before. I have, three times, so on time number 4, I would like to
dedicate it to my son as he’s the one in the greatest time of transition at
this moment, and he needs this verse (so he can start memorizing it and holding
it in his heart as I have for so many years) much more than me.
As he enters a
new school tomorrow, in a new place very different from the one he came from, I
know he is nervous. He does not know anyone yet at his school. He will be
eating lunch there (which he has never done before because on the island, the
school children go home for lunch), and he will be changing classes with 7
different teachers. He will have a locker, and he will not be able to ride his
bike to school. He will have to either be driven or take a bus to get from
school to home and to football practice and back each day. It’s not just a new
school for him; it’s a brand new life, and I am nervous for him too.
Yes, it will be a
change for me as well, and up to this point, when I have written and thought
about this subject, I have been looking at it from my perspective. I have
considered how much of a transition it will be for me, not having him with me
on the island for the first time, but besides for him not being there, the rest
of my life will remain the same. Not so
for my son. EVERYTHING will be new. I’m so glad I have been able to be here with
him for these last two weeks of summer and for his first day of school because
I now see it from his perspective, and I needed that. I needed to stop worrying about how I was
going to handle it and start supporting him in getting through it. That’s what he needs me for now, and it gives
me renewed strength and purpose through these changes, to be able to give back
to him and help him in whatever small ways I can.
Worrying about
how hard it is going to be for me does nothing, but seeing the changes through
his eyes, allows me to be there for my son more fully. And knowing that God has
it all worked out already and has our best interests in mind, including plans
to prosper us and give us hope and a future, has always been comforting to me.
I hope and pray my son will feel that same comfort and peace in God and in His
plans too. I promised my son the other
night that “it will all be okay.” God never said it will be easy, but over the
years, I’ve learned that if I put my trust in Him, it WILL all be okay! So, I
feel confident in that truth. Love you son and Happy First Day of 6th
Grade in your new home in the states! It’s
going to be great!!
