Becky Crenshaw

Putting the boys to bed was tough last night.  A sad good-bye to our last day of summer.

They could have asked me anything yesterday and chances were high I would have said yes.

“Wii?”  Yes.

“Arcade?”  Yes.

“Chick-fil-a?”  Yes

“Movie?” A rental. Yes.

“Ice cream?” Yes. But I get the cone.

Just like that. Summer. Gone.

I kissed their little foreheads.  But before we prayed and turned out the lamp, I read one verse to them.

One verse only.

May the favor of the LORD rest upon us and establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17

“Boys, tomorrow the Lord will begin to establish your school year.  You will start building a relationship with a new teacher.  You will reunite with good friends and hopefully make new ones.  You will open books with brand new subjects.  Don’t be overwhelmed.  Remember…God is the One who is at work in you.  Let HIM establish the work of your hands.  Let HIM establish your friendships.  Let HIM establish your place in your classroom.   God is up to something big through you. You just be you.  And you let Him be Him.  I guarantee you, this will make for an amazing year.”

This may have been a Charlie Brown teacher moment for them.  Only hearing, “Whamp whamp whamp whamp.” Those excited little boys, wiggling and giggling under the covers, were not feeling overly spiritual.

But I said these words, for me, just as much as them.

God promises us that His Word will not return to us empty (Isaiah 55:11).  His favor will rest upon them.  He will establish the work of their hands.

I kind of want to cry right now.  My incapability to slow time is overwhelming. Don’t we love our babies?

Sweet friends, let us invest these few minutes well.  Let us pray a blessing over our little/big babies.  Let us release them, not into the “world” but even more into the Father’s hands.  The One who establishes their feet on solid ground.

Lord, Jesus.  Today, we give you our babies.  They aren’t ours to begin with. They are yours.  Thank you for the gift of being their mommy.  We trust you to protect them. To bless them.  To empower them. To cover them.  To bestow Your favor on them.  Lord, I ask You to establish this year for them.  I ask for this to be their best yet.  I pray over their desks and their lockers.  I ask for your Spirit to hover there.  Give them peace as they sit and listen to new rules and expectations.  I ask you to establish strong friendships.  Healthy friendships.  Lord, thank you for your Word that does not come back void.  You perform Your Word, Father God!  Lord, let these first few days of school be a huge encouragement to them.  I bind the devil, in the name of Jesus, from my children.  Thank you that my babies are Yours.  A display of Your beauty.  Glory to God.  I praise You, Father.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Reflect and Respond

Write down Psalm 90:17 on a notecard. Encourage your child with this verse.  Tell them that there is no pressure for them to perform or be someone they are not. The LORD will establish them.  The Lord’s favor rests on them. Tell them that this will be their best year yet.  

Power Verses:

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish tat which I purpose, ad shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; the LORD bestows FAVOR and HONOR.  NO GOOD THING does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 (emphasis mine)

As your babies leave you, do you have something you alway say to them?  Share it with us (I just might steal it!)