A New Adventure

Five glorious years ago God called our family to homeschool. It is a calling. Not something I  excitedly nor joyfully accepted. But, accepted it I did.

It is.....challenging to say the least. It is torture some days and other days it's full of delightful chaos.

This year has been somewhat eventful. After two adoptions and welcoming another teenager into our home, I felt a bit strained and depleted. As I was mentally preparing to homeschool my soon-to-be middleschooler I found myself lacking desire. I felt stuck and nothing in me was being prompted to move forward.

I prayed.

And prayed.

And prayed some more.

After some time of prayer and discussion, Greg and I decided to go a different route with Jada this coming year. We chose private school.

I felt sad but relieved. All the while wondering if this was God's guidance or a selfish mom who was exhausted. As days went on I felt peace and excitement for the coming year and I felt eager to continue teaching Ella, my upcoming 2nd grader, at home.

Tomorrow is the first day of this unexpected change. I honestly thought I would personally graduate my youngest three girls from high school. But, this life is full of challenges, road blocks, turns and down hill slopes. And, because we know life is full of the unexpected I want more than anything for all my girls to be equipped with the knowledge of how to deal with the distractions and disappointments in life. What better way than through scripture? So, as I prepare to send my beautiful, bubbly, blonde out on a new adventure tomorrow without me,  I couldn't help but write a deeply heartfelt prayer for her.  This prayer is full of my favorite scriptures. Ones I often pray for my family, friends and most definitely myself.

To my precious girl, Jada, as you venture off tomorrow I want you to know I'm covering you in prayer and know you never walk alone.

Dear Father God, 

Tomorrow my first born, Jada Grace, is off to middle school. I'm grateful you love her more than I ever will and You know and want the absolute best for her. I thank You for your sovereign hand in her life and I trust You as you guide her through her most joyful days and also her darkest days.

Lord, I ask that YOU give her "knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning" Daniel 1:17 and give her "wisdom and understanding in every matter" Daniel 1:20. I pray from the depth of my soul for Jada to love YOU and to "praise You for you are powerful and contain infinite wisdom. I ask that you graciously and generously give her wisdom, knowledge and discernment. Please reveal to her deep and hidden things" Daniel 2:20-23. 

Allow her to understand that the "fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgement" Proverbs 9:10. 

My desire is for her to grasp what truly matters in life and that she will give no time to things that are wasting away. "Create in her a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within her" Psalm 51:10. Give her the ability and desire to "be kind and compassionate to others, forgiving them just as in Christ You forgave her" Ephesians 4:32. "Teach her knowledge and good judgement as she trust in Your commands" Psalm 119:66. "Turn her heart toward Your statues and not to selfish gain" Psalm 119:36. Establish within her a desire to be Christ-like. Possessing the fruit of the Spirit. Fill her to overflowing with Your "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control" Galatians 5:22.

I desperately desire for her to "be like the tree planted by water. It's roots go down into a stream. It will not be afraid of the heat of the summer. Its leaves will turn green and it will not be anxious during droughts. It will not stop producing fruit" Jeremiah 17:8. I pray she will "endure through the testing of her faith so she will be mature and complete and not lacking anything" James 1:4. Strengthen her to "walk in the Spirit" Galatians 5:16. Enable  her to "lovingly speak truth" Ephesians 4:15. I humbly ask for you to instill in her the knowledge that "she is not competent in herself but her competence comes from You" 2 Corinthians 3:5.

Thank You for what You are going to do in the life of my girl. Thank You for walking with her and being with her when I cannot. Thank You that Your Spirit leads her and corrects her and I ask that You pursue her relentlessly even on the days she's running from You. Open her eyes to see how beautiful, loving, forgiving and faithful You are. You are so good and I will forever praise Your name!

Love, 
A mom who is letting her little girl go out from under her wings.