Thank you for all that helpful insight on blogging from Friday's post. I laughed with those of you who admitted to being nosey. Aren't we all? Thank you for taking time to let me know why you blog, why you read blogs and where you are from.
Y'all we hit almost all 5o states and many countries. How fun that our blogging community is from so many different places.
I also promised in Friday's post that I would give you a little update on the reason I've been asking you to pray for me and one of my daughters lately. To sum it up in one simple to understand sentence, middle school can be stinkin' hard.
I hated middle school. It was one of the worst times of my life. I constantly felt my life was like one of those snow globes. As soon as things would settle and seem normal, something would come along, turn life upside down, and pieces of my scattered world were suddenly tumbling all around me.
Interestingly enough, my daughter who is in middle school right now, collects snow globes. Oh the ironies of life. And her life has taken some upside down turns lately. Friendships, academics, emotions- they all seemed to be in constant upheaval.
I know a lot of this is normal for middle school. I've lived through the angst of these years with my two sons and my oldest daughter. But with this particular child, I was sensing a change was going to be needed.
For over 3 years, she has been attending a small Christian school that I love. The classes are small. The students get lots of attention and hands on learning. And they start everyday with a beautiful devotion time. This seemed to me, to be the very best environment for her to be in.
But this year, things just started falling apart. Doors started closing. And as much as I wanted to force the doors to stay open and to make things work for her in this small schooling environment, I knew I had to back off. I love to fix things... a.k.a. control things to make them easier to deal with.
Then the Lord started challenging me to turn all my fix-it energy to prayer and embrace what He was doing. I won't lie, it was very hard.
Things unfolded that I didn't want. Tears were shed over things I could have fixed but knew the Lord was challenging me not to. And then one day, my precious, full-of -life girl, refused to get out of bed and go back to school.
So, I embraced another option. The option the Lord had been impressing on my heart that I'd been so resistant to even considering. I took her by the hand and walked into the halls of our local public middle school containing over 1400 kids.
I got her enrolled and watched the tears roll down her cheeks as it was time for me to leave her in her first class.
I pressed a card full of handwritten Bible verses into her back pack that I had also doused with my perfume that morning. I reminded her that every time she smelled it, to remember the many, many prayers I'd be praying for her all throughout the day. I gave one last hug and walked away.
Everything in me wanted to run back and whisk her away. I think just about everything in her wanted me to do some whisking as well. But I knew the Lord was challenging both of us to embrace this. To trust Him. To lean not on our own understanding but to press in to His.
And you know what? She survived.
She got into her big brother's car that afternoon where I was waiting on his cell phone. Breathlessly she exclaimed, "It was great. I made two new friends but I don't remember their names. I didn't like my first or last class but I can deal with those. I loved everything else."
Now, I'm no fool. I know there will be hard days to come. But our plan is to keep embracing what God has for her today. To trust Him with today. And then tomorrow. And then the next day.
What are you having to trust God with right now?
Remember...
One day at a time. We can't let fears or worries over tomorrow steal our joy for today.
One prayer at a time. We can't forget the source for all wisdom, perspective and peace is but a prayer away.
One step of faith at a time. If I'm going to call myself a woman of faith, I'm going to have to be willing to live a life that actually requires a little bit of faith.
Off to write some more verses and spray some more perfume...
Happy Monday.
Y'all we hit almost all 5o states and many countries. How fun that our blogging community is from so many different places.
I also promised in Friday's post that I would give you a little update on the reason I've been asking you to pray for me and one of my daughters lately. To sum it up in one simple to understand sentence, middle school can be stinkin' hard.
I hated middle school. It was one of the worst times of my life. I constantly felt my life was like one of those snow globes. As soon as things would settle and seem normal, something would come along, turn life upside down, and pieces of my scattered world were suddenly tumbling all around me.
Interestingly enough, my daughter who is in middle school right now, collects snow globes. Oh the ironies of life. And her life has taken some upside down turns lately. Friendships, academics, emotions- they all seemed to be in constant upheaval.
I know a lot of this is normal for middle school. I've lived through the angst of these years with my two sons and my oldest daughter. But with this particular child, I was sensing a change was going to be needed.
For over 3 years, she has been attending a small Christian school that I love. The classes are small. The students get lots of attention and hands on learning. And they start everyday with a beautiful devotion time. This seemed to me, to be the very best environment for her to be in.
But this year, things just started falling apart. Doors started closing. And as much as I wanted to force the doors to stay open and to make things work for her in this small schooling environment, I knew I had to back off. I love to fix things... a.k.a. control things to make them easier to deal with.
Then the Lord started challenging me to turn all my fix-it energy to prayer and embrace what He was doing. I won't lie, it was very hard.
Things unfolded that I didn't want. Tears were shed over things I could have fixed but knew the Lord was challenging me not to. And then one day, my precious, full-of -life girl, refused to get out of bed and go back to school.
So, I embraced another option. The option the Lord had been impressing on my heart that I'd been so resistant to even considering. I took her by the hand and walked into the halls of our local public middle school containing over 1400 kids.
I got her enrolled and watched the tears roll down her cheeks as it was time for me to leave her in her first class.
I pressed a card full of handwritten Bible verses into her back pack that I had also doused with my perfume that morning. I reminded her that every time she smelled it, to remember the many, many prayers I'd be praying for her all throughout the day. I gave one last hug and walked away.
Everything in me wanted to run back and whisk her away. I think just about everything in her wanted me to do some whisking as well. But I knew the Lord was challenging both of us to embrace this. To trust Him. To lean not on our own understanding but to press in to His.
And you know what? She survived.
She got into her big brother's car that afternoon where I was waiting on his cell phone. Breathlessly she exclaimed, "It was great. I made two new friends but I don't remember their names. I didn't like my first or last class but I can deal with those. I loved everything else."
Now, I'm no fool. I know there will be hard days to come. But our plan is to keep embracing what God has for her today. To trust Him with today. And then tomorrow. And then the next day.
What are you having to trust God with right now?
Remember...
One day at a time. We can't let fears or worries over tomorrow steal our joy for today.
One prayer at a time. We can't forget the source for all wisdom, perspective and peace is but a prayer away.
One step of faith at a time. If I'm going to call myself a woman of faith, I'm going to have to be willing to live a life that actually requires a little bit of faith.
Off to write some more verses and spray some more perfume...
Happy Monday.
55 Comments:
Thanks for sharing. I will continue to pray for A. I hope it keeps going well.
I got my first rejection on HOPE'S CHOICE this morning first thing in my email. Long story short, I am a no one in the Christian world of writing. Though they did say my writing was "admirable." So, I am trying to keep that in perspective this morning.
Interestingly, I felt God prompting me to share some of the book on my blog for yesterday and one for later today. Hopefully, it will touch someone there. And that was before this email.
Yes, I know it takes lots of trying, but it is the first rejection . . . .
I'm going to be late to work!
I will keep praying!
Lysa, middle school was by far the most challenging time of my life. I remember the first day of sixth grade, my very first day in middle school EVER, a boy hollered out a bus window and made fun of my outfit right in front of everyone in the bus line. I cried so hard I couldn't see two feet in front of me. I spent the rest of my three years there trying to fit in and getting my heart broken many times as a result.
I will be praying so hard for you, and for your precious girl. The middle school years are such "shaken up snow globe" years for sure. I remember all too well what those years were like, and sometimes I remember them a little too vividly. Please try to remember the character that is being built into your girl, and how she will have an even bigger heart for others when she comes out the other side of this.
Love you, Lysa!
Lisa
Thanks for sharing your heart, Lysa!! I love the perfume idea - it's a great one!!!
Thanks, too, for the reminder!!! I'm in a waiting and trusting place right now and praying for God's guidance and peace!!!
Lysa, Thank you for sharing this difficult time. I think it will help others struggling with this same issue. In my own home...the first is now in High School and I know there will be times when I too will have to step back and allow God to work in her heart without my interference....
Praying for you and all of us on this journey of motherhood.
Blessings!
Teresa
God Bless YOU!
What a hard choice, and I bet it felt just plain wrong to you. Yet, there it was, the right path for your girl!
Love you, Lysa.
Lysa,
I'm not in that stage yet with my little ones, but I know she will be OK because you are entrusting her to a very Big God.
Yes, middle school is hard...BUT GOD...
Our Provider, Our Joy, Our Sustainer, Our Comforter, Our Peace, Our Strength, Our Friend.
But God...
Don't know if you ever read this book, but it is my favorite book on raising kids: Grace-Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel. He talks a lot about the kinds of things you are facing, and how to handle them like Jesus would.
Have a blessed day, knowing your sweet girl is in the hands of a Big God.
Love,
Sandy Cooper
www.godspeakstoday.blogspot.com
Lysa-it is so tough but you know, God has her there for a reason, He needs her there. It may be your daughter who will bring many, many lives to Him. WOW. There's is nothing stronger than our prayers so keep praying.
What are we dealing with? Oh, where do we begin? I'll just mention up about our ministry issue. We are being so challenged in our ministries (youth and women's ministry). Pray God will be as apparent for us as He has been for you. My devotion was pretty loud that I am not to give up.
You are a blessing!
In His Graces~Pamela
Lysa, thanks for sharing your fears and how the Lord is teaching you to quit trying to control and instead to trust Him. How difficult that can be in our humanness!
Although my situation is completely different, the same principles apply. I loved how you ended with one day at a time, one prayer at a time, one step at a time. And you're so right. It's all about placing our trust and faith in the Lord who knows what is best for us and our loved ones. Thanks for your words of wisdom. And I just know your daughter is going to adjust and enjoy her new school. She may be the light that makes the difference in another child's life in that school. You never know what God has in store for her.
We are having to do the faith walk of public school ourselves. We simply cannot afford to send our girls to a private Christian school. God has had to ask me, "Am I not big enough to take care of them, even in a public school?" Yes, Lord you are.
I love how you put it...that to call yourself a woman of faith you are going to have to be willing to live a life that requires some!
I was encouraged recently by one of my MOPS mentors who reminded us that if God could keep Moses safe in a little basket in the middle of a river surely teeming with crocidiles, then He can keep our children safe in public schools. Cause you know, Moses had to go in the Nile for God's purposes to be accomplished. Praise God for the purposes He has for our children.
That school is blessed to have your daughter. And those teachers, they are blessed to now have you praying for them.
Love and prayers,
Your ever long-winded commenter, Kimberly :)
Pamela said it so well! :)
I confess I don't have a situation like yours to deal with concerning my youngest but when our oldest was deadset to attend a large university(PSU) I prayed everyday for her. She had some rough spots, some lonely times when others were out partying...I'll never forget the night she called us from the HUB on activity night for nonalcoholic events with her NEW nondrinking roomie second semester of her freshman year. The President of Penn State had just walked up to the girls, introduced himself and just wanted to say "Hi". It was a "I really do trust you God" momment. Praying you get lots of those momments too!!!
oh my fear, being a stronger voice and active member in my church...This past year I finally made a committment to get back after witnessing the new Priest and his committment to address many of the great things of God in his leadership. We are Episcopalian, and this man is teaching truth and spirit led fellowship. It is in a new direction but I am still floundering a bit.
Lysa, I KNEW IT!! I just knew this was the situation. I don't know how I knew it, but I did. When you wrote last week, I just had a feeling that you were dealing with taking your daughter out of Christian school and putting her in public school.
I'm off to send you an email--I have a lot to tell you.
Thank you for sharing. You made me cry as I could feel your heart aching for your daughter just as mine has so many times. Praise God that He is faithful and trustworthy even when we are not. You are a true blessing to me, Lysa. Keep saying yes to God
Christie
Lysa,
I feel your struggle so deeply. As a mom it is so hard to know when to let go and let God. Thank you for your story and bold example.
My children both attend public school. With all of the Christian school and homeschool parents out there, at times I've felt like a bad Christian mom.
Through the years I've found "public school" is not a dirty word. My 10-year-old son's teacher goes to our church and I know prays for each of her students every morning. Many of his classmates are even in his Sunday School class.
I was so fearful when my daugther started middle school that she'd be chewed up and spit out by the enormous size, sketchy values and clique-y girls. After a rough start in 6th grade, my now 8th grader has really blossomed in this environment. Plus she's involved in an after-school (at school!) Bible study. The kids involved pray in the cafeteria before school and hold other prayer events during the year. Teachers and even some administrators support them.
To me, being a bold young Christian in a sometimes hostile environment is such a powerful training ground for living our faith out loud as adults in the real world. Really, who is our mission field?
There are pros and cons to every educational choice we make, but I have found that God is alive in my kids' schools.
I pray your daugther brings the light of the Lord into her new school environment and starts to light those young hearts on fire.
Blessings and prayers,
Kelli
Oh Lysa you have no idea how I can relate to you this week!! Our son started High School this year. With it came block scheduling (4-80minute classes instead of 8-40 minute classes). Although he has never fit the ADD symptoms fully, he has always been easily distracted and this block scheduling is really rough on him. His brain just "shuts down" after a while and he can not concentrate. Along with a biology class and an extremely tough (and I feel unreasonable teacher) I have been loosing sleep over this situation. Changing schools was not a option because he is in the vo-tech program which is the ONLY happiness in his day. So....finally I got in contact with the teacher and we are getting some extra help. My "get good grades mantra" has changed to "please just pass". But more importantly I am concerned with his self-esteem. He feels "stupid" right now so my prayer is for each day God will encourage him in some way outside of this class. It breaks my heart to watch him be so "defeated".
This parenting is soooo very hard--I am thankful that I have a God who hears my cries and directs me in the way that I should go.
How wonderful that your daughter had a good first day and you can see the "light" in her eyes again.
blessings to you!
Kim
**ps-the Lord allowed my son to finally pass his drivers permit on Saturday. THIS was definitely an encouragement to him!!!
Good Morning Lysa
Middle school years and high school years are so hard for both the kids and the parents. All of the DRAMA involved makes me want to also be equally dramatic!! It is so hard to sit back and allow God to work on them with out trying to fix it.
Keep praying and smiling!!
Thank you Lysa- I needed that one day at a time encouragement. I am in a situation I do not want to be in right now, too, and I am struggling to have faith that this is where I am supposed to be right now. All I want do is stay in bed, too sometimes! It hurts a lot when you don't think this should be God's plan for you. When he does something that you don't like. What we have to remember is the beautiful flowers we have seen out of the hard work and suffering God has delivered us from in the past. We don't know how He is going to use us (or our children) till he reveals that to us, which I think is especially hard for us nosey women! Oh - and I blog to show off my baby, Max. I read your blog because I need the encourage ment of a Christian girlfriend to get me through the day sometimes!
Lysa,
Thanks for sharing this with us and know that I will continue to keep you and your daughter in my prayers. My struggle point right now is the remodling going on from Hurricane Ike. I had two trees in my house and the repair process is slow, even with a contractor. I want things fixed yesterday but that is not how it works. I have to ask God daily for peace, and guidance during this time. It is in his planning and not mine.
Thanks for sharing. God bless you and your daughter for following His leading in this.
Lisa- now I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my cheeks!I have been praying about this same issue for some time now. I am in the exact place with my 7th grader. Except she goes to the public school and I am inquiring of God what I should do. I want so badly to fix things for her! I want to go squeeze a couple of her little friends from school too! Thanks for the encouragement I believe it was from God!Rose
Your story reminds me of my bff Michelle and the struggles she had with trying to find the right fit for her only daughter, Mariah. She ended up making the same choice after many years of fighting it. Her daughter is thriving in public school. Honestly, I think some children need a large setting where they don't feel every single step they take is being scrutinized.
And...as a junior high teacher...believe me...I know middle school is tough! I see it every single day.
What am I trusting God about right now? That the healing He gave me yesterday...the wholeness I now am experiencing will be permanent. You can read about it on the last couple blog posts I've posted. God is so good to me.
I'm also letting my book proposal rest in God's hand as it rests on Howard Book's desk. :)
I have tears in my eyes ove your post today. We're struggling with how to reach him through all these middle school years challenges, how to build him up to be the person God wants him to be.
These are hard, hard years, and sometimes faith is the only thing getting ust through!
My husband actually just underwent an intense scrutiny (almost as bad as the new girl in middle school) at the office. I smiled when I read about you pressing that card of scripture into her backpack, as I did the same for him (into his shirt pocket) as he left each day. It was a powerful reminder to him that, even though things were out of his control, they weren't out of God's.
I'll have to remember the perfume for next time. :o)
Blessings to you and yours,
Melinda
Oh MY gosh Lysa .. SAME story here with my oldest son. THE same story. Leaving private going to public .. leaving 10 kids going to over 1000 kids w/ 8th graders .. yikes!!! Different reasons for leaving I am sure ... but it was SO hard. (For me more than my son)
My son HAS done well... some of his classes are even smaller than his private school and he IS getting the one on one he needed because of his special needs. One of his classes has 4 people in it.
We still stay on our knees, because he is so GREEN and is picking up some things and has LOTS of questions, but end the end God does what is best.
We just had to let go ....
I so love the perfume idea .. maybe we can do that w/ his dad's cologne.
Hi Lysa,
I moved to a new town during Middle School and it was so hard, yet so good for me. I know my faith was strengthened by the whole experience. I know it is different for everyonte, but public school was a good choice for me and taught me how to live out my faith in this world. I also taught at the Middle School level, so the heartaches and challenges kids go through are fresh in my mind. I'll be praying for your family.
Thanks for the reminder to trust God. That's been a theme He's working in me lately. Trust Him with how he is going to build our family. Trust Him with my weight issues. Trust Him with my hopes and dreams and insecurities about ministry. Trust Him with my kids, etc.
I hope you have a blessed week and feel the prayers we are all lifting for you.
Love,
Becky A.
I will continue to pray for you and your family!
Lysa,
Your story hit home!
My husband and I decide to send our daughter to pulic school this year after attending the Christian school in our area for 7 years.Her grades started to drop way below average and it was a struggle to get her to goto school.
She would tell us from time to time that she wanted to try the public school and just like you I dug my heels into the ground.
This summer I was reading your book 'What happens When Women Walk in Faith' and had been prayer for God to increase my faith,now I'm not blaming you.:) But it was then He spoke to me about trusting Him on this issue.
I'm please to say,since Sydney has entered 10th grade at our pulic school,she is doing great! She is once again a straight A student, has stood up for her faith and her mood around the house has been a blessing.
I put verses in her lunch and pray for her daily. God reminds me that Sydney can't live on my faith anymore but she needs to live on her own faith...It's between her and God.
Praying for you,
Tammy
WOW, Lysa.
I have home schooled for 13 years, and am down to my last child/student...who is in middle school. Next year she begins high school. She recently asked her dad and I to let her go to public school.
I'm thinking, "You've got to be kidding!" and my daughter is thinking, "I could be a missionary there!"
WOW, Lysa.
Now you've gone and stirred the pot.
Hi, Lysa,
I have been praying for you and your daughter. And I want you to know that I TOTALLY understand the situation at school, more than you will ever know ... I sincerely hope that A will find lots of new friends and peace, as much as possible, at this age. I, too, am a snow globe collector because they are so peaceful inside -- just how I want to feel, and how I want A to feel. We have to look inside ourselves to find peace, rather than concentrating on those around us.
Lysa,
Iam sooo there right now with my son. Middle school was such a strange and difficult time for me. That's why I'm trying to give my son some slack, but it's hard sometimes. Thanks be to God that we can turn to Him in prayer and even learn to praise Him in these difficult moments.
Prayers for Peace,
Linda
Lysa,
It must have been really hard for you to make that decision. Thank you for always giving us the invitation to pray for you even when we don't know what we are praying for. I am sure that God has something special in mind for her. All the beautiful flowers can't be planted in one place (school). God likes to spread out his beauty.
My prayers will continue.
Luanne
Oh Lysa! I know that you had to be in turmoil over this! I got goose bumps just reading it. We had to deal with something similar, although, we were pulling OUT of public school and going into a private Christian school. Thank God it has been a blessing and has worked out. We are dealing with the financial struggles, but we know that HE will provide. I could just feel your angst when I read your post though..the wanting to be in control yourself, the fear of leaving your child at a school that wasn't familiar (at least the inside), the fear of what she'll learn and experience at a new school.
I do hope that she will continue to love it and adjust well..and they same for you too!
I am in tears reading about this!!! My son is in public school (my hubs choice not mine) and I have come to love it. My son and I have been given so many opportunities to witness to the parents/students and even though I protested his wisdom, I now have to admit that my husband was right in his insistence that our son be a light in public school. I will be praying for your daughter (and you). I pray that she will let her light shine and her purpose in that public school will be to influence unchurched/unsaved kids for Jesus. Isn't that what we are called to do? Go into all the world - Judea, Samaria, etc??? I pray that she finds hundreds of opportunities to share Jesus with those kids and I pray that she will be known by her friends as a girl who loves Jesus above all else.
Lysa,
I so enjoy reading your blog everyday.
My daughter went to a private Christian school up until the middle of 7th grade and we began to have issues with her attending there. We, like you, moved her from a very small private school to our public middle school with over 1100 students. She is now a Freshman at our public high school and is loving it!! She adjusted very well to the public school (much better than her mom adjusted to her being there!). I pass her school every morning on my drive to work and I say a prayer that she makes good choices and continues to live for Christ.
I am so proud of you friend for how you, Art and Ashely have walked in faith through this fiery trial. I have watched you personally, prayerfully and painfully operate in grace and Truth. I knew you'd get through it but it was so hard to see you hurting so much for her. You are my hero. I hope I can be like you when I grow up one day.
Your words of encouragement to me and to others have inspired me to believe big and be willing to life a life that requires faith. I am going to be writing about you tomorrow on my blog as part of my "Bless It Forward" give-aways. You LIVE to bless it forward everyday like no one I have ever seen.
I am blessed to be your friend, teammate and gymnastics recruit - my tired muscles thank you today!
Hugs,
Renee
I just have to say how much I love your blogs and Proverbs 31 Devotions I receive everyday. I was recently in Matthews, NC to visit my sister and kept thinking I needed the "Mint Hill" exit! :O) Although I have never met you, God's clarity thru your transparency has changed my heart so much, I feel like I know you. I love your honesty, it makes it easier for me to be honest too.
Thank you for being obedient.
God Bless,
Stephanie McC
New Kent, VA
Oh, Lysa. My heart can so relate! During my 8 year period of prayer, Kristyn entered 4th grade. Because grade 3 had been so hard, I purposed to pray for her each of those days. I did and the changes that unfolded followed her for not only that year but for years to come. The challenges our children, or in my case, bonus child, face are so hard and we just want to jump in and fix it all. Leaving her with those Bible verses was so sweet! That's precious. I will be praying for her - sounds like she's off to a great start!
What am I having to trust God with right now? Everything from the future of our country to the fact that one day He will clear up this Plague I have. (I cannot shake this bronchitis! I have had it for nearly a month now!)
precious. my little one is only 1 and 1/2 but I can already feel the dread of middle school. I, too, hated it! But I am very proud of you and your daughter... Hang in there. I'll be back to read this post in 12 years! (:
So so glad to hear that your daughter had a good day. It must be very hard as her momma to watch her go through all of that. I love the perfume idea too, but when I told my daughter about it she said, "But mom, you don't wear perfume so it wouldn't do that for me." HA! That is true. She'd have to wear the smell of food to think of me. I had a friend tell me once that the scent she associated with my family was...not dryer sheets, not candles, not a beautiful perfume but simply...food, because I'm always baking something. Oh well...
Thanks for sharing.
Lynnette
www.lynnettekraft.blogspot.com
Lysa, this is just so precious. I hear your heart, but I know God sees it too and as you obey His leading He's working in ways you cannot see.
Choice of schooling is MAJOR! I remember when my son started Kindergarten after attending a Christian pre-school for two years. That first morning I thought I was sending him out as a little lamb among the wolves - quite honestly that's what I was thinking.
When my husband and I were making the decision as to where he would attend school, after abandoning the idea of Home Schooling, it was my desire to see him in a Christian school. Long story short about a week before registration as I wrote my "Pro's and Con's" list at the kitchen table the Lord clearly spoke to my heart. After comparing both schools, (public and Christian) the one thing that pulled me to the Christian school was the idea of safety. I felt that with Christian teachers and many of the students coming from Christian homes, my son would be better protected from the mean, cruel world...after all, he was only 5! As I sat there looking at this list, God spoke to me and asked, "Do you not trust Me to keep him safe?"
Registering my son at the Public School was a step of faith in trusting God. I wish I could share with you the outcome of that decision. INCREDIBLE!!! I began a Bible study in my home for Mom's I met at the school. The Crossing-Guard turned out to be a brand new Christian and she had been praying all summer for a Christian friend. The teachers my son had each year were the best ever. I'm still in touch with some of them. Several of the teacher's he had were only at the school the year my son was in that grade and they were gone. My husband and I believe we prayed them in just for Chris and God answered our prayers.
As he has since been in two other schools - one for Gr 7 and 8 and now High School - each one of those schools has a God-story as well. God CLEARLY led us to the schools he has attended and the blessings have been many. (One school meant for us to move - sell our dream home and move into the small home we are in currently, but we can see so many reasons why God directed this move, although it was terribly hard at the time.)
God is working my friend. I will continue to pray. So thankful He gave your daughter a good day. I know your heart must be rejoicing as well.
Love ya,
Joy
Oh, girlfriend!
Bless your heart, Mama! I am so proud of you! I know that was hard. But, she will do fine!! She can be such a light of love and joy for the Lord in that school.
One of my dearest friends had to make the same decision for her son whom she has homeschooled for quite some time. He began public high school this year and is enoying it as well.
Keep the faith. Our public schools need our prayers and our faith!
Hugs,
Susan
Oh, Lysa, this mommy's heart is right there with you! Tears streaming down my face and heart aching as I imagine you taking her to her new school that first day. You trusted Him, you prayed to Him, you believed in Him. He indeed is faithful.
Our children get to the most tender, deep places of our hearts. Will continue to lift all of you up in prayer. God's testimony in all of this through each of you will be amazing!
Truly warm hugs to you,
Sharon :)
Lysa, You are such an amazing woman and wonderful Mom. I am so touched by your post - makes me cry. Really. I didn't have a mom who was emotionally available to me while I was growing up, so as I parent my 3 kids, God is having to teach me from ground zero. It's not easy, but God is faithful. I am always so very blessed to learn from other moms who have a love for Christ and really seek to give their kids their very best. Not in a perfectionistic way, but just honestly desiring to love and nurture their kids - like YOU. Thank you for sharing and for loving your kids so wholeheartedly. I'll continue to pray for you and your daughter through this transition. God is SO good! Sweet blessings, Amy
Hi, Lysa. I had a similar situation when our family had to pull my son out of a Charlotte private school's very special autism program. It was simply too expensive for us, personally, even though it was a great program. But I had a sense that God would provide for Alec in any situation, and He has. It was scary sending my precious son to public school, but those teachers and kids embraced him. Somehow, I think he's teaching them a few things, too.
I have been homeschooling our 2 oldest daughters. I promised the Lord that I would continue to homeschool until he released me from the desire to teach them in our home. Recently, the tide has turned for all of us and I knew in my heart that it was time to put them back in public school. I am fully trusting in the Lord and not leaning on my own understanding. They will begin classes next Monday. Our oldest is in 6th grade and our 2nd born is in 4th grade. Please add our family to your prayers and I will continue to pray for yours.
I am putting on my spiritual armor as we venture into the middle school years.
Blessings,
Tanya
Lysa-
I am actually having to fully trust God right now with my precious middle school daughter as well. We are in a public school and are having those stinkin' middle school issues! Our daughter has an incredible heart for God, makes good grades, and tries very hard to make the right choices. She is being ridiculed
often at school for all of the above. It is so hard when she tells me with tears streaming down her face of the hardships throughout her days. I am trying to discern what God wants us to do in this situation. While I know character is built during times like this, how much of this treatment is too much? We are taking one day at a time also and relying on the fact that the joy of the Lord is our strength and nobody can be allowed to take that from us.
Praying for our middle schoolers,
Caroline Ward
I feel your pain. After just one week of starting school this year, my 6th grade boy was MISERABLE. It was painful to observe my fun, upbeat child turn into a sad, lethargic shadow. We cried and prayed and made a decision to withdraw him. Though the situation we have as a result is not ideal and not my first choice, it is workable. It is tough when you feel like decision A was the right one and was also made through much thought and prayer to then have to go to decision B. Nevertheless God. Yes, I meant to write it that way.
Nevertheless...God.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Praying for your sweet girl as both of you make this adjustment.
We started our kids in Christian school and quickly realized we would never be able to afford it as our family grew. There are pros to both environments. We have been amazed to see the impact our family has been allowed to have by opening our lives to kids/families we never would have known outside the public school setting. I have no doubt this move will open a huge door of opportunity for your entire family...
Blessings,
Lisa
Hey Lysa - I am wondering if you left your littlest at the Christian school. (Speaking of being nosey?) My daughter is 9 and goes to Christian school. We are planning on mainstreaming her to public in high school. But don't have a great middle school option - her school ends at 5th (next year).
I feel your pain. It is so hard being a mom - but I am glad things are working out for you.
Thank you for sharing with us.
I went through this same thing last year. It was difficult for most of the year but I knew it was what God wanted. I so loved our private christian school I had my daughter at and really didn't want her to leave but I really felt I wasn't truly doing what God wanted me to do. I truly had to surrender it all to him. God was really faithful and blessed us with some really great teachers some of which I found attend our church. That really helped. What really helped was joining Moms In Touch. What a wonderful organization. It was great to meet other christian moms at our school and pray for our children.
Hi Lysa, know that even though you had to struggle with this decision, God intended it all along.
He always has a purpose for us every step of our lives. He has a plan for your daughter, to use her to touch the life of another kid, to touch the life of a teacher, to touch the life of a cafeteria worker. And through it all He plans to shape and mold her.
Be strong as you let her go knowing that He already went ahead of her and prepared the way. No way would He let her go there before He went ahead of her.
As much as you love her, He loves her even more.
I am praying for you and your daughter. I am also looking forward to the testimonies that I know will come as she shines for Him right there in public school.
Blessings,
Vickie
Praying for you as you open your hands and trust God with His gift to you. I dread those middle school days. But one thing I know for sure. Our God will not change. He is the same all-powerful and infinitely loving God no matter what our circumstances, and He is holding your sweet daughter in the palm of His hands. She is inscribed there and can never fall out!
I am learning so much about trusting Him as I walk through my cancer journey, and one of the biggest areas is believing that He is far more capable of taking care of my family than I am. He never lets go!
I teared up for you both! Praying right now that Ashley (and you) receive so many blessings from this transition that you are overwhelmed by it all! :)
Our transition to public school has been unbelievably wonderful, and I am continually amazed at God's provision, protection, and creativity. It has been the PERFECT place for my family, potential yuck and all. I actually now feel called there; I don't doubt Ashley will be a bright light for Him in those halls! :)
Your post today brought tears to my eyes. How much we hurt when our babies hurt. I know that this will all work out for Ashley and hopefully this has been the solution to your daughter's problems. I know that God will continue to guide both of you through whatever you are faced with.
Stay strong...keep the faith.
Amen and Amen!
Thanks for sharing! I've been thinking a lot about this lately as we are in the process of our domestic adoption. I find myself saying "Lord I trust You" over and over because sometimes it seems very overwhelming.
I actually just posted about this today so reading your blog was and extra blessing from God. He is here! Thanks Lysa!
Thank you for sharing Lysa. My husband and I are currently praying about school choices for our 4 yr. old. We have some time and are really putting the prayer to it. I just want to be in the Lord's will and know that that might not necessarily mean a Christian school for whatever reason. He wants us to be salt, right?
I will continue to agree with you in prayer over your daughter. You will be blessed for your faithfulness.
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