Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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.
This week marks the beginning of a new school year. This can bring a whole mixture of feelings for a whole mixture of people! There will be sadness over leaving behind long and fun summer days, anticipation about what is to come, excitement and nervousness over new classes and schools and all the same for teachers and parents. There will be worry, busyness, stress, fun, opportunity, hope and I’m sure a whole host more.
It is normal to feel all of those things in times of change, transitions and new beginnings. But as pupils, teachers, parents and carers step into school or send their children off to school with new stationery, backpacks too big for them and temporarily shiny shoes, there is one thing that doesn’t change. We have a God who is with us in any situation, calling us not to be anxious, not because everything will be smooth going but because the peace that God promises each one of us is one that goes beyond our circumstances and beyond even our own understanding and imagination.
We have a God who will be with us in the stress of last minute displays and registers, in the worries of bigger schools and school bullies, and a God who celebrates with us in making new friends and achieving grades and sports captains.
We have a God who listens, knows and cares.
Abi Andrews, Schools’ worker
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