This was taken on the first day of 1st grade.
This was taken today, his last day of 1st grade.
He's grown. He's changed. We've grown, changed together.
First grade has been a long, trying year. Lots of praying, figuring, hoping. Plenty of tension bearing much weight on our souls. Questions of a new stage in parenting; how are we supposed to know? how do we know what's right? when do we step in? back off?
But faithfulness trumps the storm as it does always. Ask for wisdom, receive wisdom. It's an eternal promise, a familiar promise this year for us. God is faithful, always. He is willing, always. He gives good gifts of insight into less-traveled souls and clears away sadness and worry with peace that passes understanding. He holds small hearts in a place of value and extreme worth and leads our way as we turn our eyes toward Him.
I am glad first grade is over. Grateful for the lessons learned and the reminders about my dependence on the One with the answers. Holding tightly to memories of precious struggles that chisel out the stance of this family, covered in the grace of breakthrough moments and firm and gentle nudges to the right way.
The biggest two and I chatted on kitchen counters over granola bars at the end of the day, the end of a long year. We laughed silly in the spirit of 4 year old humor.
Thankful is the understatement of my year.
