Dear Families and Friends of Peace,
For Bloomington Public Schools, classes begin next week. As I’ve done in previous years, I’d like to share this prayer, “A Prayer for the First Day of School,” written by Kayla Craig (from To Light Their Way), as a blessing of encouragement for all our students, parents, teachers, caregivers, administrators, and other education workers as they prepare to start this exciting new season.
“O God of new beginnings, as this child begins this new school year, we are reminded that they are Yours and Yours alone. We have filled their backpack, and we ask You to fill their heart with the joy of new friends and their mind with the wonder of learning new things.
“Be with them, this piece of my heart, as they embark on this new adventure, becoming more themselves and needing me less every day. Give them courage to extend kindness to teachers, fellow students, and even themselves. May they stand tall in who they are, and may they find friends to sit with. Ignite passions in them for Your world and everything in it. Spark creativity and stoke the fires of imagination.
“Be with their teachers, who give so much of themselves. May they have eyes to see each student in their own challenges and victories.
“Thank you for all that awaits, and thank you for the tug in my heart as I wave goodbye and watch them enter the doors, for those are the heartstrings of love.
“May this child feel your love as they walk the halls, and may you keep them safe and bring them home safely. May they rise to the challenges set in front of them, and may they never be too busy to bend down and help someone.
“O God, we give our own worries and our parental desire for control to you. Thank You for the gift of the first day of school and for all the days to come. May this child learn and grow, and may I learn and grow too. Teach us how to love You and our neighbor more every day. Amen.”
May the God of all Goodness strengthen you and give you peace in the coming days and weeks ahead, and may you each have a blessed school year.
Grace and Peace,
Joe