I noticed on the way into the church this morning (Monday) school parking lots overflowing with cars, school signs announcing the arrival of another school year, and I couldn’t help but think of the number of people in need of prayer this morning. I thought of those new 6th graders entering that “big building†in fear of getting lost or not remembering where their locker was. I thought of those excited kindergartners who were sure that they would be taught to read on this, their first day of school. I thought of the sadness in the heart of some of those veteran teachers who saw today as the first day of their last year of teaching. And I thought of those brave souls who would greet their first class of students. All of them in need prayer for various reasons.
We all know that life has changed, the world is different. We live in the age of school shootings, gang violence, a breakdown of authority and a general lack of respect. These combine to make the school environment more dangerous and threatening. It is easy to allow the bad news to drown out the good news. It is easy to ignore what is right to bemoan what is wrong. The fact is good and godly people work in the school environment both public and private. The fact is dedicated people give their lives to making a difference in the lives of children and youth. They teach, they encourage, they mentor and they model a godly lifestyle before their classes. We in the church must acknowledge that we are partners with the school system not adversaries. We both care about our communities. We both care about the lives of the students. We both want to see them thrive. I thank God for those who serve in the public and the private school and those who choose to educate at home. And it is our responsibility to pray for the good of our community and those who serve.
The next time you drive by a school why not breathe a prayer and ask God’s blessing? It was just on my mind this morning. I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod