Guest: Pastor Jesse from Grace Community Church in Auburn and host of the brand-new Bonfire podcast on Purposely.
Erica and Pastor Jesse talk about the mixed emotions that come with the start of a new school year, for both parents and children, and has suggestions to help navigate the stress. He also recommends choosing a Bible verse to carry in your heart throughout the day, such as “perfect love drives out fear”, to help combat anxiety.
Click PLAY to dive a little deeper today!
TRANSCRIPTION:
Erica:
You may be feeling a little nervous, flutter in your stomach or happy and sad and excited and nervous all at the same time. You may have a case of the Back-to-School Butterflies and you could be a mom, a dad, or a child experiencing this. And that’s why I’m so glad that Pastor Jesse is with us. I know it’s been a busy week for you. How you doing, my friend?
Jesse:
I’m doing well. And this week we have four kids that have started school.
Erica:
Oh my goodness. How are things going so far?
Jesse:
We’re doing well. They still let us take the picture of the first day, so they’re very kind with that. It’s mixed emotions, but it’s exciting too.
Erica:
I think it feels good to get back into a routine again, doesn’t it?
Jesse:
Definitely.
Erica:
I mean, how can we set ourselves up for success? Because we kind of go from kind of floating down the lazy river of summer, to, okay, let’s buckle up, let’s go. The rollercoaster of the new school year is here.
Jesse:
You never know what you’re going to get into the first date. But overall, even simple things like a habit. Gathering your kids and setting a time where you pray together or you share or you read the Bible, and I was thinking about the verse, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these will be added to you. And that’s not only true during the summertime relaxing vacation, but during the most stressful days and the full schedules and the shifting rhythms and everything that’s moving around right now. Sometimes a simple daily habit can be so powerful in our lives, especially our faith and our inner life.
Erica:
Yes. And what’s so beautiful about what you and I believe is that it’s portable, we can take it with us. So, what might be a practical way of taking your faith back to school with you?
Jesse:
You can choose a verse in the morning and then carry it with your heart and your mind all during the day. It can be a simple verse like “Perfect love drives out fear” because this time of the year, there’s a lot of scary stuff for us. I mean, back when I started kindergarten, my parents said, I cried when I arrived at kindergarten because I didn’t want it to begin. Then I cried at the end of the year. I didn’t want it to stop. And we just have all of those feelings that are going around and fear and worry. Anxiety can kick in. And if you have a verse like perfect love, pass out fear, and you say that during the day, so you believe it in your heart, you say it out loud, it just resets you. The Bible says, lift up your eyes to the hills.
Where does our help come from? Our help comes from the Lord. He’s the maker of heaven and earth so we can cast our anxiety upon him. He caress for us. He’s with us. I was just looking at the passage where the Israelites go into the promised land. They crossed the Jordan, and a lot of people are in a new season right now, like what’s ahead? And he says, do not fear. Do not be discouraged. I am with you. Do not be dismayed. And we need that reminder because we so easily forget. Someone said there’s 365 reminders in the Bible, do not fear, because we need one for every day. Right? Perfect. Love drives out fear. So choose the Bible verse and then hold onto it. Meditate on that during the day.
Erica:
I think it’s fantastic. And I’m wondering, pastor Jesse, if you have a moment to pray over all the kids going back to school, some kids are already back in like yours. Some are waiting. They’ve got those butterflies. It’s almost time. I wonder if you would do that this morning.
Jesse:
Yes, let’s do that now.
Father God, we thank you that you are so gracious and kind, Lord, that you are not only with us, but you go ahead of us and you prepare good things on that path. We pray for our kids this year that they would learn and grow, not only in school and relationships, but also with their faith. Help us, God to guide them well, have the right conversations, the words. I pray for parents today who are struggling with just letting go to some degree, and I pray that they would not worry, but trust you. Also give them wisdom at each situation and stage that comes this year. And God, we also lift up our educators. They are courageous, they’re heroes. They are so generous and they really invest their lives in our kids. So, guide them in what they teach that they would hear you honor, you walk with you, you give them peace and strength. And Father, we’re trusting you at the beginning and at the end we know that you are in control. You have a plan and that you are good. Thank you Jesus for loving our kids. We don’t want to hinder them, but have them come to you fully this year. And I pray for any kids that don’t know you yet, that this year, God, they would decide to follow you. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Erica:
Amen. What back to school butterflies? They’re all gone!
Jesse:
With God’s help. Let’s do it.
Catch hope & encouragement with Erica on weekday mornings from 5:00 AM – 10:00 AM, and Sundays from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
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