It’s back to school season! This year feels very different in such uncertainty. Many parents are still waiting to hear what different school boards, districts, and universities decide for our girls. What can we do to help our girls prepare for this back to school season and make the most of this year? We need to teach them to embrace the unexpected!Right now, all across the nation, there are so many different plans and some are changing almost daily. We need to be reaching out to our girls and staying intentional. We can use this season to remind them that God is our foundation and we can rise up in faith to face this school year with joy, love, and peace. This school year let’s choose to check in on our girls, stay intentional, and help them embrace this season.
Check In
None of us expected for COVID-19 to impact the last few months like they have. Now, we are entering the “back to school season” with more questions than answers. It is difficult to plan on how to best serve your girls when things are changing almost daily. One thing, I know we can do to support our girls is to check in on them.In this season, I am getting more comfortable with saying “I don’t know.” You may not have all the answers for your girls about what “back to school” for your church, your small group, or school may look like, but you can be part of their support system! Whether it is checking in through a group chat, phone call, Zoom, or in person being able to see how our girls are feeling is so important. Sometimes in life we don’t need someone to fix everything, we just need someone to listen. We don’t have the power to fix most things, but we are able to listen and pray over our girls. Remember prayer is powerful!
Stay Intentional
COVID-19 has evolved the way we minister to our girls, but with change comes growth! We can continue to stay intentional by doing virtual bible studies, game nights through Zoom, and starting girl chats! It is so beautiful in this season to see that even though we may not be able to see each other in person, we can stay connected virtually.If you and your group are unable to meet in person, encourage the girls to continue to stay in God’s Word and communicate what they are learning. I know with my bible study, we chose to use the Bible App and we do a devotional daily as a group. It is so encouraging to see how the Lord speaks to each and everyone of us through scripture. The Bible App is a great source for accountability and connection.
Embrace This Season
Back to school is one of my favorite times of the year! We are able to start a new chapter, set new goals, and embrace what’s “next” for each of us. Even though “back to school” may look differently for each of us, the hallways are still the mission field for our girls. God has placed them in their physical and/or virtual classrooms for a reason. Encouraging our girls to see that they have a purpose that God has planned for them is so important. Romans 8:28 says “God is working together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” God has an intended plan for each of our girls. He doesn’t make mistakes. We need to encourage our girls to embrace this season and pray for the Lord to reveal His purpose for them this school year.Ultimately, God has placed each of us in a unique position to serve our girls. We can be a listening ear, a source of encouragement, and point our girls to God consistently. Whether we are able to be in our girls presence or not, we can still show God’s love towards them in person and virtually. We can help them to choose joy and embrace everything that they do get to do this school year!
Jillian Deaton has a passion for showing people the love of Christ through speaking, writing, and everyday life. She is the wife to second lieutenant Jaxson Deaton. Jillian is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University. She is the author of Powerfully Weak, This is Why, The Four Seasons of Hope, as well as the co-author of A Bigger Purpose. She is passionate about sharing God’s Word with students and women of all ages! She believes no matter who you are or where you’ve been the Word of God is relevant to your life as you strive to live with authentic faith in Christ. Connect with Jillian: Instagram