Monday, August 24, 2009

A little boy, a mom and the first day back


I'll admit it.

I'm a sentimental fool when it comes to children and the markers in life.

So, this morning on my way to the office I pass a little boy, he looked to be about six-years-old. He was holding his mother's hand as they walked toward our neighborhood school for the first day of classes in this new school year.

For some reason seeing that little guy made me think of all of the other children, young and older who'll make a similar trek this morning.

Of course, I thought of my own grandchildren as my eyes called in a tear or two. All three of them will go back to school today.

I remembered the many "first day of school" days I experienced with my own daughters.

It's an exciting time. A good time. A nerve-wracking time.

It's not easy being a child today.

I offered up a simple prayer as I drove past that little fellow and his hopeful mom. It was a prayer for every child on this first day of a new school year. A prayer for mercy, hope, opportunity, courage, fairness and safety.

Our children are treasures, every single one of them.

I'll be thinking of him, my own grandchildren and all of them today.

.

3 comments:

rcorum said...

Great post. I would also offer that churches can do so much to partner with schools. We provide needed school supplies through out the year as well as tutoring. I know it is not much, but it has been a blessing to develop a relationship with this one school. If a child gets a good education that have a good chance to have a better life.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the blog Larry. I held back tears myself this morning as I dropped Amzie off for his first day at a brand new school. He looked so scared and vulnerable at the prospect of navigating through the halls of a strange and unknown place with no familiar faces in sight. I sent up my own prayer that he will make friends and make good choices today and at least not dread going back tomorrow!
Sonia

Larry James said...

rc, don't minimize the impact of what your church is doing in that school! It is very important and, I expect, it is very effective. Would that every church would do the same.