Back to school time is bittersweet for me. My daughter, soon to be 12, is starting 7th grade this year. She is getting to an age where 90% of the time I really enjoy being with her. She is a fun, smart, comical, outgoing, caring, sensitive, compassionate young woman - and I'm so proud to be her Mom. I know a lot of Moms who can't wait for school to start - to get those kids out of their hair! But honestly, I'll miss Bailey when she goes back to her school routine. I think no matter how old our children get, we will always miss them when they are away from us. I found this fabulous prayer from "Rocks In My Dryer". It touched me. I will be praying it - every day. To those Moms out there sending their babies to school for the first time - an extra prayer for you....what a proud, happy, sad, emotional day! Watching our children spread their wings and grow is hard...it is right...but hard.

A Mom's Prayer On the First Day of School

Here we are again, Lord. Their backpacks are loaded and their faces are scrubbed and their lunch accounts are full.

And I know you'll walk with them, Lord. You always do. But a mom still has to ask.

Will You walk with them? Will You whisper to them what they need to hear, when I'm not there to whisper it?

Will You please, oh please, cover their school with the protection only You can give, and will You keep harm far away?

Will You make their minds strong and ready to learn? Will You help them understand that hard work honors the One who created them?

Will You guide their teachers, giving them patience and wisdom and creativity and more patience? Will You bless them for their efforts?

Will You love all those children there, the ones whose lunch accounts aren't full, the ones who feel alone? Will You teach my children to be kind and unselfish and to love those who are different from them?

Will You point them back toward home just as soon as you can?

Lord, I give them to You today and everyday, trusting them to Your care.

Amen.