It’s a New Year Already!

September.

This has always been the “beginning” of the year for me, and beginnings mean preparation and equipping.  Can you tell I’m an educator at heart?  Except for the time when Gary attended Wheaton Graduate School, I have always considered September to be the first month of the year.  Even that time revolved around a school calendar because of his class schedule.

When it comes to being prepared for school, I recall some of my fondest childhood memories when I went shopping with Momma for school supplies and new clothes.  Besides the occasional new dress for a holiday (especially Easter), September was when I acquired some new items to start the school year right.  This usually included five outfits from our local Sears & Roebucks store—one for each day of the first week.  I was sure to get some new shoes, socks to match my dresses, and perhaps a jacket or sweater.

While homeschooling our daughter Jessica, I always made it a point to “school shop” for the supplies she’d need, even though she used them at home.  I loved setting her up with folders, pencils, crayons, and markers.   Of course there was always the excuse of buying a few new items for me, her teacher.  And, without saying, it was a very joyful day when the big cardboard box full of new books was delivered in the mail!

Now every summer I get to help equip our school for the year ahead by ordering our curriculum and educational materials.  I enjoy opening all the containers of books as they arrive, checking off each item from the invoices, and dividing them up to deliver to the classrooms.  For me the week before school begins is almost as good as Christmas morning!  (Some of my colleagues think I’m nuts…)

With the beginning of a new year come grand plans and expectations…

whether you’re a student, teacher, or parent.  It’s a time of hope and a clean slate.  It’s also a time for parents to reevaluate the growth and maturity of their kids, and often offers the opportunity to “up the ante” on responsibilities and privileges.

I distinctly remember those stretching times as a little girl.  I recall getting discouraged by difficult assignments or projects for school.

Momma would always say, “Yes, every year gets harder, but every year you get smarter, Becky Sue!”

There’s a lot of wisdom buried in that remark, even though I hated hearing it because it meant I wasn’t going to be rescued or get out of the task.

Momma wanted me to recognize that in Christ we are equipped for our circumstances.

We grow in knowledge, experience, wisdom, and abilities.  As those circumstances change, by God’s grace He prepares us.  If we look to our own abilities and strengths we’ll be discouraged.  If we ask we will experience His power at work; He is faithful to exchange His strengths for our weaknesses.

“God’s power has given us everything we need to lead a godly life. All of this has come to us because we know the God who chose us. He chose us because of his own glory and goodness.” – 2 Peter 1:3 (NIRV)

No matter if we’re a student, employee, wife, mom, or educator, we get to choose how we go into this (and every) new season.  And, we need to remember we have been equipped by our Heavenly Father!

Time for a self-check:

Maybe you need to get organized.  Maybe you need to be more intentional in finishing what you start or have committed to.  Or, maybe you need to give yourself a bit more grace and breathing room.

Whatever it looks like for you, ask God to equip you for each new day.  He will!

“This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

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