School Starts 3 Weeks From Today
Submitted by Jennifer Banks, Patriot Mom
School starts 3 weeks from today. I mentioned this to my son, expecting the renting of his clothing and the ashes upon his head that would typically go with such mournful news, but instead heard, "I hope our friends like it".
We have neighbors that will start their Providence journey this year. When they began to seek the Lord months ago on the direction He wanted them to take for their kids' education, we prayed along with them. When they heard the leading to come to Providence, we rejoiced with them! Recently, our front yard chats have revolved around books and uniforms and school supplies and what direction a desk should face to best keep a floating attention span. And periodically along the way, my friend will start her questions with, "I'm sorry to keep bothering you, but......". Bother me? Oh, if she only knew how lost I felt in MY first few weeks!
We came in mid-year and I had many worries. Could we do the work? Did I have the qualities it took to school my son? Would we make any new friends? Is this the right decision??? Yes, yes, yes, and yes quickly became the answers to all my questions. By God's grace, He first kept our nose above water, then our shoulders, our waist, and eventually, we felt that we were walking on the water with Him. One of the biggest tools He used, and the one He's blessed me with the most, is other precious Providence Moms. My mentor Mom had her share of calls from me but immediately put to rest another one of those silly worries I'd had. In our first conversation she had me relaxed and laughing and I thought -- whew! -- she's normal! Then I began to notice that as we showed up for things, women would break away from conversations because they noticed someone new in the room. Never had I been anywhere and found that. I heard stories that sounded like mine, comforting and encouraging words that assured me we would be successful. Everywhere I went, I felt so welcomed.
My prayer is that I'm never the weak link in a chain of amazing people that follow the Lord and make Providence one of the best decisions our family ever made. Be on the lookout for those new faces. Break away from your friends and reach out to the ones with the same questions in their eyes that we all had once upon a time. What a blessing you will be!
I'm with my son......I hope our friends like it, too
We have neighbors that will start their Providence journey this year. When they began to seek the Lord months ago on the direction He wanted them to take for their kids' education, we prayed along with them. When they heard the leading to come to Providence, we rejoiced with them! Recently, our front yard chats have revolved around books and uniforms and school supplies and what direction a desk should face to best keep a floating attention span. And periodically along the way, my friend will start her questions with, "I'm sorry to keep bothering you, but......". Bother me? Oh, if she only knew how lost I felt in MY first few weeks!
We came in mid-year and I had many worries. Could we do the work? Did I have the qualities it took to school my son? Would we make any new friends? Is this the right decision??? Yes, yes, yes, and yes quickly became the answers to all my questions. By God's grace, He first kept our nose above water, then our shoulders, our waist, and eventually, we felt that we were walking on the water with Him. One of the biggest tools He used, and the one He's blessed me with the most, is other precious Providence Moms. My mentor Mom had her share of calls from me but immediately put to rest another one of those silly worries I'd had. In our first conversation she had me relaxed and laughing and I thought -- whew! -- she's normal! Then I began to notice that as we showed up for things, women would break away from conversations because they noticed someone new in the room. Never had I been anywhere and found that. I heard stories that sounded like mine, comforting and encouraging words that assured me we would be successful. Everywhere I went, I felt so welcomed.
My prayer is that I'm never the weak link in a chain of amazing people that follow the Lord and make Providence one of the best decisions our family ever made. Be on the lookout for those new faces. Break away from your friends and reach out to the ones with the same questions in their eyes that we all had once upon a time. What a blessing you will be!
I'm with my son......I hope our friends like it, too
Jennifer,
I'd don't think I've had the privilege to meet you, yet, but your post made me cry. :) Thank you!!!
Ashley Shaver (Mom of Titus, soon-to-be 1st Grader)
Jennifer,
Your post brought a couple of tears to my eyes too! Your family is so precious. I absolutely loved teaching Josh in second grade last fall. We hope our oldest will get to go to Providence next year for Kindergarten, and one of the things to which I am most looking forward (besides an excellent Christian education for my son) is that wonderful network of supportive moms. As a teacher, I was continually amazed by the Providence parents. Your post explains it beautifully. Thank you!
Jenny Bunger