Back to School Essentials

Ahhh...It's that time of year!  Students and teachers are headed back to school.  Whether you are unpacking your classroom and greeting your new students or sending your precious, little ones off into a new school year, August can most certainly be an exciting time!  August, being the eighth month of the year, represents newness and new beginnings.  Even if you are not preparing for a new school year, I bet you could use some newness in your life.  It is always a great time for a new beginning!  The time is now!

Children get this new beginning with each and every new school year.  New friends.  New teachers. A new classroom.  New school supplies.  I am sure you know or have seen young people of all ages proudly carrying his/her new book bag filled with new supplies.  Those supplies are essential to ensure that kids are prepared and ready for school.  So, what exactly are they toting off to school?  The basics of course...pencils, paper, crayons, and notebooks just to name a few!  If we look closely, we will see that some of the items give us some important scriptural reminders from God.  These sweet reminders will help us to walk right into the newness that God has prepared for each of us!  Let's take a look...

No. 2 Pencils and Loose Leaf Paper

From Kindergartens to high schoolers, it is safe to assume that somewhere in those book bags, you will find pencils and paper.  Every student must have something to write with and something to write on if he/she is going to have a successful school year.  Pencils and paper are a great reminder to us of Habakkuk 2:2 (ESV) And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.  Take some time to write out how you want God to bring newness into your life.  If you have children, help them to write out a vision for this school year.

Spiral Bound Notebooks

 When you see the spiral binding on the side of the notebook, remind the power that God has given you through Christ Jesus.  Matthew 18:18 (ESV) states Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  Use what God has given you to command newness into your life!

3-Ring Binder

 Let the 3-ring binder remind you in whom you believe.  1 John 5:7 (KJV) says  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  You are protected and backed by Heaven:  God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are in position!

Eraser

 You will make mistakes as you walk into this new beginning; we all do.  Do not beat yourself up or be overwhelmed by guilt.  Once you repent, asking for God's forgiveness, His Word tells us in Isaiah 43:25 (NLT) I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.  He will erase our sins and not remember them! 

Ruler

 Psalms 8:6 (NIV) tells us that You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their  feet:  God has given us dominion in the Earth.  Do not allow the enemy to make you feel defeated.  As you embrace your newness, walk in your authority!

Colored Pencils/Crayons

The colored pencils will remind us that God has a beautiful plan for each of our lives.  In Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV) He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.  Even if your life does not seem beautiful today, know that in time, it will all be fine.

Glue Sticks

Lastly, as you start this new school year or new chapter in your life, remember that we have a close and consistent friend in Jesus.  Proverbs 18:24 (ESV) says it this way A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  You are ready for this new school year, new beginning, or new season in your life.  God's Word is all that you need to make the transition!

Let Him heal your soul!

To check out more from Shayla, visit www.ShaylaHilton.com.

Your Sister in Christ, 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, we come thanking you for this new school year.  We ask that you cover all of the students as they head into a new situation.  Bless those who are not going back to school, but can sense the newness taking place in their lives.  Strengthen them and help them to transition successfully.  In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.