The Year Ahead, Part 2

****Update****

I'm starting this today, August 5th....

It will carry us through the first day of school, one week from today.

Please join us :)

Just like the morning last week when I wrote "Part 1" of this story, I woke up today flanked by 2 of my 3 most favorite children on the planet. When did it happen? Who knows. I've gotten great at sleeping through the comings and goings of my bedmates (that sounds terrible doesn't it?) and I am just savoring every moment of these last few days of Summer.

No, they didn't start out in our bed.

They started out here.....

All snuggled up, with wet heads and each other, on a big air-mattress in the den....watching "Shark Boy and Lava Girl" (I know, I know....)

Last night I made a declaration that I pray I won't live to regret (at least it has an end in sight!). After bathtime, I announced that if they wanted to, they could sleep on that air mattress every night from now until school starts.

Watch movies, eat popcorn, fall asleep when they feel like it, invite friends over to do the same.....

Crazy?

Maybe. But I don't care. We have 2 weeks of Summer left and I want them to have a blast!

And, I've made another decision. One that I have carefully prayed about, and that I am so excited to begin. I hope you'll join me, and if you do, that you'll share with me later what happened when you did it. I am so looking forward to seeing how this will impact our school year for the better!

If you're like me, you know that it is essential to pray for our children. But if you're like me, life gets crazy and you feel yourself saying short little prayers like this....

"Dear God, please keep Reeves safe today.... I'd really prefer to avoid a trip to the emergency room this morning."

"Dear God, please help Lucy remember to say 'yes ma'am' and 'no ma'am' while she's over playing at Emily's house!"

"Dear God, please keep Greer from pitching a fit in front of the pediatrician today..."

.....and so on.

Sure, you find time for a serious, meaningful prayer every once and a while, too. You pray that they'll make friends at their new school and thank God for giving them a gentle heart. You pray that they will stay safe from harm and that they will grow up to be faithful followers of Jesus with a servent's heart.

But do your children know you are praying for them? Do you say any of those prayers out loud, in their presence?

I'll admit, I don't do it very often. But I want to, and I'm going to.

Will you join me?

One week from Today, I will do exactly what Angie Smith has done for her girls (and if you have time to catch up on her story....you will be blessed). I read her "Pray for Your Child" post/challenge months and months ago, and when I was praying about the school year ahead, God led me back to it. I can't tell you how appropriate it is for this time of year and for what I hope and pray for my own children.

I bought my note cards yesterday, and I am set and ready to go. This week I am praying about it and for my children. I will start the 7x7 prayer challenge next Tuesday and finish it up the day before the first day of school. I can't wait to see what happens!

So, click on the link above or on the 7x7 prayer button below.....

and let's see what happens!!!
What a privilege it is to pray for our children!