Get Smart...

Ok, its Monday morning and for some reason my heart is just racing 100 mph....could it be that i dropped off my kids back at school...where did my Summer go with them?
I didn't know if I wanted to cry, jump with joy, or just sit in awe of how much they have grown. They are boys now...no longer little ones...they are growing up right before my eyes. Sometimes a momma just can't take that feeling of "i'm the same, but they are changing." Oh, I know I'm not the same but sometimes I get stuck in this time warp thing and I still think its 1998 or something. Anyway, there they went to their classes and I had a million emotions going through my mind.

I have prayed really hard these last 24 hrs for them....their friends, their teachers, their school, their choices, their minds, their fears and anxieties, their wishes, God's plan for them this year, for an unbelievable growth in mind, body and spirit. I have really hit heaven hard with some lifting up of these boys.

Something hit me hard this past week and I am passing it along to you....hence the name of this weeks blog, "Get Smart." We know that this is the beginning of a new school year and we put a lot of focus on getting ready for school....do we have school supplies? And i'm still looking for a few items out there that are about to send me over the edge because I promise that ya'll snatched them up before us procastinators could get to them. We wonder if they need new backpacks and lunchboxes. We wonder about getting their uniforms or school clothes and oh yeah the tennis shoes! Let me just say that when we went to get new tennis shoes at Hibbetts last week I almost went into shock at the counter to pay. What was I thinking??? I must have been in a real good, fired up, back to school mood when I agreed to the shoes they got. I think I had sticker shock when we left. Anyway...they look cool and I'll keep on wearing my good ole faithful tennis shoes a little bit longer....oh, the sacrifice!

Well, we spend all this time, effort and energy into back to school as we should and then it hit me.....WHAT ABOUT BACK TO SUNDAY SCHOOL??!! Well, you would think because of my job that this would be in the front part of my brain. It is..don't get me wrong...but, the Lord told me to put just as much thought, effort and energy in celebrating a new year of spiritual growth!!! Well, let me just say that I felt so bad about not doing so that I immediately asked for forgiveness. I have prayed so hard for your new Sunday school teachers.....for their desire to want to teach....but, BAM! then it hit me. Its time to get on our knees and pray for our kids and the spiritual growth that is going to take place this year.
Please don't take this upcoming year lightly....i pray you'll commit to a faithful year of Sunday school and church and all FUMC activities. I want to keep Jesus #1 in my life....not just when its convenient or when I need Him most.....I need to put Him before everything else!!! WOW.....sometimes that is hard to swallow. I am committing myself and my family to an awesome year of faithfullness in attendace, support and service at FUMC and I pray you do too. Its a new year in everything....don't let your families spiritual growth be at the bottom of your list. Keep Jesus, FUMC, and spiritual growth at numero uno this year. For me, sometimes I need the reminder that their spiritual growth is the most important thing for them.

You are always in my prayers, sweet families. I'm hitting heaven hard these days with prayer as we emabark on "Getting Smart!" I am thrilled with excitement as I think about how they will spiritually grow this year.....keep Jesus #1 and talk to your children about how they can begin to keep Him #1 in their life.

Thank you Jesus for a new school year and a new spiritual year. I can't wait to see what you teach us and reveal to us!! We thank you in advance for the awesome works in everything we do!!!

Blessings.....