"I'm a little nervous", she's been telling me. So we pray something like this, "Dear God, comfort Elli as she begins a new school and a new school year. Give her peace in her heart as she steps into the unknown ahead and meets new people that will influence her and that she will influence as well. Continue to bless her journey that only You have planned for her, and remind her that according to Joshua 1:9, You are with her wherever she goes. In Your powerful name we ask these things. Amen." And she takes a deep breath followed by a perceived sigh of relief. And then we repeat as needed.
So here we are now, and courtesy of God Himself, we have been blessed this year with the opportunity for Elli to attend a classical blended model school where she will visit 2 days a week and will be home-schooled the other 3 days. We are excited and grateful for the privilege which makes me ponder on how much I love these moments. Not just in the opportunities presented for Elli, but I love to savor these invaluable and tender moments. Especially with a deep understanding that they won't ever come back to us. Except in the form of cherished memories nonetheless. As hard as it is for the mind to accept the rapid momentum of all of these significant milestones, and as much as we would like to control and resist their ever fleeting nature, it helps to understand the concept of "living in the moment". Taking it in, and pronouncing gratitude to our giving God for each and every second. Being mindful of every sacred experience that God gifts us with is a peaceful place to be. There's a serenity in how it teaches us to not take a single occasion for granted so that we can readily forge ahead into the next season. It brings comfort to that which the heart so desperately wants to bottle so that we don't have to swallow the grief from their impending and inevitable farewells. Oh these moments! Praise God for these blessed moments!!! And for the little first grader who inhabits them too! ;)
As always, beautifully written.
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