As I sit here writing, my fireplace is on, I am covered in a cozy blanket, and drinking my hot coffee.  My air conditioner is off, my shorts are put away, and I will save the iced coffee for warmer days.  The Fall season is in the air and I am ready for it.  Autumn has always been my favorite time of the year.  I love the multiple colors of foliage and wrapping up in toasty sweaters.  It is also the start of a new school year, so a clean slate is before us with a set schedule and much more of a routine instead of the lazy days of summer.

My daughter started High School this week.  Being a freshman comes with all sorts of firsts and unfamiliarity.  It is exciting, but also terrifying.  She is at a new campus, so she must maneuver unknown hallways, classrooms, fellow classmates, and teachers, which means I must learn all of this, as well.  In fact, I was in the wrong pickup line when school was released, so that was my first mishap.  However, we found each other and we were on our way.  While driving home, my daughter debriefed me on her day with all the common freshman blunders.  We have all been there.  I guess it is sort of a rite of passage.  What doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger, right?

All of this change with my daughter at a new campus and our son away in Georgia gave me somewhat of a pit in my stomach.  Our regular regimen that was quite comfortable had been upended and we must now accommodate a new norm.  Why is change so unnerving?  Because we are in the dark.  We aren’t accustomed yet and so it is like moving down a dark hallway with nothing to illuminate it.  We feel our way among the walls unsure of what is ahead and what is awaiting us at the end. 

This reminded me of when my kids were little and I would put them to bed.  We read books, said our prayers, and talked about our day.  When it was time for me to leave and for them to fall asleep, they would call out that they were scared of the dark (despite the fancy nightlights we had for them in their rooms).  So, we had a nightly routine of “putting on our armor of God.”  That way, they would be safe and protected while they slept.  We would pretend to put on each part of the armor and make machine noises as we “locked” each portion into place.  We always ended with the final piece, the helmet.  Once they were “suited up”, they would swiftly drift off to sleep cradled in their protective covering, if only make believe.  But, is it really make believe? 

One of my favorite Bible studies I have ever done was by Priscilla Shirer called “The Armor of God.”  It dived deep into us being warriors for Christ.  One way to do that was by each day putting on our armor of God for protection.  As the world continually throws things at us, we must be prepared to walk in His strength.  The illustration, as talked about in the scriptures, is to wear each part with purpose.  The helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shield of faith, the sword of the spirit, and the feet of peace.  By dressing ourselves in these articles of closing, they act as a weapon against the foes that come at us daily. 

As a new school year unfolds, we must help our children armor up.  When we remember how difficult it was ourselves being teenagers, it proves even more so the reason for our kids to be well suited as they enter those angst-filled days of fitting in, all the temptations urging them on, hormone roller coasters, learning what true friendships look like versus broken relationships, crushes on people whose affections are not returned, etc.  However, we must also remind ourselves to put on the full armor of God as adults in order to model for our children what being prepared looks like.  As we encounter and engage with their school teachers, fellow parents, principals, classmates, and coaches, it would serve us best to be well-equipped, too.  Extending grace, having patience, and being slow to anger are all good traits to assist in warding off potential disasters. 

And, of course, as our older children leave the nest and begin to live on their own, it is even more mindful for them to wear their armor.  As they step out in faith each day, they can feel empowered to walk in their God-given authority and in truth.  To be strong men and women, and warriors, for God’s Kingdom.  Let’s raise up our knights to be confident and sure of who they are.  As the Bible says in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 

So, let’s triumphantly get ready to conquer this next season of motherhood, this new school year, and for our kids who have already launched from our nests.  Let’s suit up, Soldiers!