Providence

This morning I got up, got myself and my daughters out the door for school on time (just barely), made the 40 min drive in glorious sunshine and kissed them goodbye at the door. Then, I made my way to the gym where I chatted with a few other moms and waited for the assembly to begin. How very much our lives have changed in a year.

In September, my children moved to a new school. We still live in the same place and their old school is still up and running, but I came to the conclusion that God is not welcome there. Their last school was a public school and although my kids would come home having been taught about the Muslim or Hindu Faith and celebrations, talk of Jesus was nowhere to be heard. How is that even equal?

The final straw for me was watching my (then) 12 year old cry her eyes out every night after being picked on all day for (get this!) being smart and being a Christian. I called the school where the principal quickly informed me they don't have a bullying problem.

On Saturday night, my daughter, Emily had to babysit for some friends and all the way there she shared her stories of sadness with me. How, when she would work in the milk room at lunch time some of the kids would go through her desk and read her journal aloud to the class. How she was referred to as 'the nerd' and 'the perfect little church girl'. I dropped her off and feeling totally helpless, I cried out to God again, more desperate than ever, for Him to direct me. Whatever it took I would do if He would just clearly lead me. He gave me a verse...well, part of a verse. "Train up a child in the way he should go..." Great!...but I didn't know where it was from, or even what it meant for me in the situation I was in. So, I dismissed it.

Sunday morning, my kids and I went off to our local church and I was praying all the way for help from God. I asked Him for a flashing neon sign to drop out of Heaven that said "DO THIS:...". Well, I got the next best thing. The pastor preached on Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." I almost fell out of my pew! Wow! THAT had to be God! Then, I had this really strong feeling in my heart to look at some of the local Christian schools. The first one I clicked on had Proverbs 22:6 right there on the home page. Providence. An answer to prayer and the beginning of a change in my children that knocked my socks off!

So as I sat in the gym this morning, surrounded by my brothers and sisters in Christ I was treated to a beautiful chapel time where the grade fives lead a lesson on Lent and Easter. We sang praises to God for the gift of His Son and the redemption it bought us. My heart soared and my spirit trembled with the reality of Jesus's sacrifice for me and I sat at the back with tears streaming down my face, just moved beyond words at the depth of the love of Christ for me. My children sat listening to truth in a school where God is welcome! 'He is Risen!' the teacher called, and 300 little voices replied, "He is risen indeed!"

Matthew 27:25 All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"

Thank you Jesus that your blood is on us. It covers over all our sins and makes us acceptable to God the Father. Your life changed death, and your death changed life. Thank you that you care so very much about each of us. You even answered my prayer and lead me to where my children needed to go to grow in You. Thank you for your sacrifice for me on the cross. I owe You more than I can ever pay, but I will spend everyday trying to please You because I love You. Amen.