Seasons

Success!!!
As we approached 3pm this afternoon.. all I could think was Success! We made it through the first week of school with ease! And when I say with ease I mean without any major melt downs, with only a few fights, without any major wordrobe malfunctions and my family had some sort of dinner every night! In my world that is a successful first week of school! School fees are paid, forms are completed and returned, lunch accounts are replenished, and supplies have been delivered.. Yes, Success!!! Now Im not trying to toot my own horn or anything but seriously this is a huge deal for me! lol My home is in complete disarray, laundry is umm well dirty lol, and I shed more than a few tears this week But I still say it was Successful!

We prepared for this week/season much like most of you did or are doing. Two weeks before opening day and our 'to do' list was huge! The smell of fresh crayons and glue in the front isle of Wal-Mart definitely sent me into panic mode as I realized summer was over. The dreaded ritual school shopping trips for supplies, clothes, shoes, and backpacks was upon us. Open house for Elementary on Tuesday, Open house for Middle/ High School on Thursday. WAIT, WHAT?!?!!!...... MIDDLE SCHOOL?!?!?!!

Yep, thats when it hit me! Open House for my 6th grader.... Oh man!! I have a 6th grader?!?! This would be so much easier to accept if 6th grade were just another grade.. if 6th grade wasn't accompanied by the dreaded T-word.. (shhh teenager.) 6th grade means middle school and middle school means puberty and puberty means hormones and hormones mean AHHHHHH!!!!! Ok, my head is spinning and I feel a panic attack closing in on me so, before I lose it completely lets refocus lol.

Monday morning August 4th, First Day of school was here!! The morning started like any other school morning, sleepy eyes, new clothes, frozen pancakes, and full backpacks. Before leaving we made sure to spend some time with God, ironically our devo was about today begin the first day you live today. Truly amazing to see God speak so clearly through His word. Good stuff!

During our 2 minute ride to school we shared some time talking to God about the day, and then it was time.. they kissed me goodbye and stepped out of my car. Now I would usually consider myself pretty emotionally stable.... but not this day. It was as if someone had turned on a faucet.... the tears began to flow uncontrollably from my eyes. (Thankfully I had an hour drive to work lol.)You might think Geez lady get a grip our kids grow up its part of life.. And I assure you I am fully aware of that truth lol. However, sometimes raw emotions get in the way, and take us by surprise.. and middle school had completely taken me by surprise.

As I drove to work with tears flowing from my eyes, heart shattered over the fact that my baby was a middle schooler, God spoke to me. Through my selfish tears of wanting my precious boy small forever.. I heard Him. He reminded me of Proverbs 22:6, Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Goodness! As much as my heart broke I knew this was the truth. No matter how much we want our babies to stay small they will grow up.. they will one day have their own families, and their own children to lead. Its gonna hurt our heart.. but we have to remember God created our children for a purpose, they must grow up to fullfill that purpose.

As I reflect on this week and the journey of the first week of school, I will say again, it was a Successful week!! For my boys as well as me!!

Whatever season you find yourself in as a mom, a wife, a sister, or maybe simply as a friend. Seasons come a go.. some are easier than others, but one thing stands true, you are not alone! God speaks if you listen!

Melanie Qualls 🌸
S.I.S
Joshua 1:9