God has really been doing some pretty funny things in my world with this verse as of late.
First of all, this past Sunday, we had a moment to share about the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) ministry with our congregation. A short, artfully-produced video was made to promote our group and we appealed to the congregation for volunteers.
Soon after, three speakers on the stage of our church began reciting Psalm 139. Unbeknown to them, Psalm 139:10 is the “theme verse” for MOPS this year.
Doesn’t God arrange “accidents” that integrate so beautifully?
I felt God’s right hand holding us all as we had our Open House the following day in which it proved that we are reaching both new and seasoned moms alike.
On another note, my oldest child starts Kindergarten today. I can’t believe it. I absolutely feel like i just birthed her yesterday and remember her being so small, so dependent, so red and prune-like in her newborn wonder.
And now she’s not anymore.
Just because I dared to blink.
In actuality, not much will be changing. She will still be attending the same school in which she has attended the past three years and she will not ride the bus.
But there is something so “grown-up” sounding to the word “Kindergarten”. Not to mention the fact that she will be attending every day and not just three days a week as she has for the last two years.
And even there, I feel His hand. Guiding and holding Susannah. Guiding and holding Mommy.
Today as I kiss her before she excitedly bounces into her new classroom, it will be the first day of a new chapter. And while I am so excited for her and love to see her becoming the wonderful young lady she is becoming, there are still tears streaming down my face as I write this.
It’s time to start sharing her, really sharing her, with the world.
Even there His hand will guide me, His right hand will hold me fast.
And Susannah? Yes, even there His hand will guide her, His right hand will hold her fast as she sprouts these new wings and begins a new season.
Last night, I walked downstairs after cleaning the monsoon we call “Bath time” at the Snapp house to find Susannah, clad in Christmas jammies in August, with her arm lovingly placed around Sawyer’s neck. They were so quietly relaxing while watching a “night night” movie to wind them down a bit and they looked so comfortable in one another’s presence.
Seeing this brought a tear to my eye because well…recently, Susannah and Sawyer have really been getting on each other’s nerves. I chalk it up to too much togetherness because as with any season, it seems like by the end of one, we are SO ready for a new one to begin.
But this one? I’m not so sure I’m ready for it to begin.
However, it has been brought to my attention that I don’t really have a choice. It’s beginning whether I want it to or not.
It’s time to send her to school. Real school.
I know I will feel His hand and I pray that in that moment, when she is quietly doing a “work” in her classroom, that she feels it as well.
He’ll be guiding us, His right hand holding us fast.
That is such a sweet picture!
It is so hard to let them go, and God makes it a little easier by doing it in baby steps. Kindergarten, then primary school, then junior high and high school…then, poof: they’re all grown up with plans of their own, and we’re left wondering how on earth it all happened so darn fast.
God will hold ALL of you in His arms, but especially today at this bittersweet moment. Hope Susannah has a GREAT first day of school, and that you do, too!
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May God bless your precious children.
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awww, good luck! I’m going to loose it when it’s that time! :(
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THE hand that guides…what an awesome reflection this week Natalie! Honestly, there are no accidents with God. He clearly wants you to cling to this verse…Such inspiration…such Truth!
My “baby” is driving…my advice, don’t blink again! It’s amazing how quickly it moves and how we realize that it’s not our hand that guides but His…
Awesomeness today girl!
peace,
lori
Oh my, Lori. I can’t even think about one of my babies driving a car. Yikes.
And oh how I’m clinging to those words this week. Oh how I’m clinging.
what a great reminder! so , so true..
love that you’re in MOPS.. I love seeing what that group can do for people. We had a super turn out for our open house this week too!
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Yeah! I love that MOPS reaches so many moms right where they. Blessings to you and may your year be a great one!
As one who used to be a Prep teacher I have seen what you are describing so many times as I sometimes had to gently untangle two who were both in tears by that stage…and my assurance…they will be fine…you just go…..was always right…..but I still felt the pain in their hearts as they trusted me with their treasures.
And they were treasures…..well 99% of them about 99% of the time. LOL.
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Ah, yes. I used to be a teacher as well. I know. But oh how different it is as the mommy…:)
Thank you for your sweet and comforting words today!
Great WFW post!
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Beautiful picture and wonderful verse! My children also started school today – Middle and High school. I am thankful that God is holding their hands today and every day and will guide them throughout the year. Thanks for sharing!
Blessings to you today!
Beautiful written, Natalie. Grateful that God doesn’t send us out alone. Blessings to you.
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I remember our first day kindergarten!!!
Brooke! My mom and I were just talking about it last night. We even remember what I was wearing and remember how we met? You were my partner in our first ever fire drill. I can still see your bubbly, sweet smile and long ponytails with ribbons (I was always so envious of those) asking “Do you want to be my partner?” It was just the gift a shy, somewhat backwards girl like myself needed!
What a blessing that we are still in touch. I don’t get to physically see you as much as I would like but I love that we have known each other now for 32 years. God is so good.
Beautiful post, Natalie. Milestones can be both joyful and painful at the same time. I remember Kiersten’s first day of kindergarten…more specifically, MY EMOTIONS of that day. My verse that I clung to (and God so graciously placed in my lap) was Psalm 121 5, 7-8 (I guess that would be plural, verses): “The Lord watches over you…The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
Still my prayer for my children and a source of great comfort! I think I’ll now be adding Psalm 139:10 as another verse to pray over and for my children!
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So very precious! God is so faithful to carry us through the different seasons of life and changes that must come to us. As I read about your little girl going to Kindergarten, I was taken back to when my oldest daughter got on the bus that first day. It was 26 years ago and it seemed like just yesterday. Now my daughter is sending her own daughter to 1st grade this year. Wow! Thanks so much for sharing. Blessings.
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Awesome post….what love displayed in the picture! Love the verse….I know that God is guiding my Son through a very unthinkable right now and my son is resting in his arms! Thanks so much for this verse…this will be another vers I cling to now!
Don’t blink anymore because they do grow up way to fast!
I’ve been letting go this year too . . . so hard, isn’t it? But it is a comfort to know His hands are guiding each of us and our children!
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