Seeking First: First Day of School Remodel

Today is the first day of school. My big girl is starting 6th grade. Middle school! I am not even sure how to feel about that. Noelle is starting 2nd and they are both going virtually. Because of COVID (I feel like I start all my sentences that way these days), our county is starting with 9 weeks of virtual school and will then re-evaluate whether or not the kids will actually go back into the buildings. I’m praying for an extension until January. Anyway, life is surreal all around, but I am still their mom and my number one job is to do everything in my power to set them up for success. And success, my loves, does not look like the virtual school we were thrown into when this first began in March. We were all over the house with no dedicated space for study or work. When one person moved, it was a mad dash to get into their spot. Long story short, it was a big, unorganized mess completely counterproductive to the slightest bit of focus. So as we approached this upcoming school year and the imminence of virtual school, I was determined to make the girls a space where they could flourish and focus in a space that was beautiful and organized.

Back to school shopping is and has been one of my favorite rituals since I was a little girl. The thought of a fresh, unused pack of crayons still makes me giddy and I am so lucky that I have been able to pass this love of stationary and school supplies down to my girls. Now, it is an experience we share annually. Every year I take two days before school starts off of work and make it a time of pampering and prepping for a successful year ahead. I take them to get their nails and hair done, pick up a few new outfits for the first few days of school, and get all the supplies (and then some) on their school supply list. This year, however, school supply shopping included pencils and highlighters, yes, but also stud finders and screws as I transformed our upstairs loft space into a study/flex area.

While I was thinking and planning about this designated study area, my mind went to the fact that I would not have been able to execute this if I hadn’t gone through the process of making space myself. When I left my job, I made space to focus on God and my my family in a way I hadn’t been able to in the past. The thing that is real is that God truly does give you the desires of your heart when you seek Him first. I worked for years and dreamed of creating a space in the loft that my girls could call their own. A place suited to growing girls where they could study, relax, and host friends when they visit. But, for some reason, I could never bring myself to make the investment in that space. Even making a monthly salary that would have made it possible, I just couldn’t execute. Relying in my own power and looking at my job as my source hindered me from experiencing the power of God and what Matthew meant when he told us about putting God first.

I have no formal job and therefore, don’t know when my next income will be, but I know it’s coming. I am more secure now than ever because my source owns the cattle on a thousand hills and is the source of all my needs, wants, and desires. I know that I will not want for anything and neither will my family because we have purposed in our hearts to always trust God with everything. We submit our desires to Him with prayer and supplication and wait expectantly for Him to act. This renovation of the loft is nothing what I had in mind, but everything that makes my heart smile and perfectly suited for my girls’ needs.

So I go into this school year with optimism in the face of so many questions and confidence in the best school year ever. When my girls are good, I’m good because I love them and would do anything to make sure they have everything they need, and I know that my Heavenly Father feels infintely more that way about you and me because we are His children.

There is still room for the good things 2020 has to offer. All we have to do is seek God first, ask for what we need, and make the space to receive it.

It’s coming.

I love you!

LINMMON Table top~ IKEA | Decor~ Homegoods and Target