Dear Faith Family,
We have a morning ritual of sorts in our house, at least on school day mornings. Before we jet off on our separate ways, I hug each child, kissing their forehead and saying: "Love you, buddy/sweet girl. Listen to your teachers. Be kind to others. And do your best." They then pile into the car, Deedra leading them in prayer as they go full speed into a day where they, Lord willing, hold to at least one or two of the things spoken over them!
In this little rite each morning, my desire is for Cohen and Lily to enter their day knowing through a loving embrace, not just what is expected, but what is possible. Yes, I want them to know that respectfulness, kindness, and diligence is the standard they are held to because they have within them the potential to be such a person. I want them to know what they are capable of doing (really, who they are capable of being) especially when the strictness of a teacher, the snootiness of a fellow student, or the subtle tug to settle makes their possible feel impossible.
I think when the apostle Paul, filled with the Spirit of Truth, wrote "...from God [it] was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known...which is Christ in you, the hope of glory," it was our Father's way of letting us know not just what is expected of us, but what is possible for us--even when we feel such glorious living is impossible. In Paul's words, I hear our Father sending us off into our day, saying,
"I love you. I am with you (Jesus in you!), and I am for you. So you can do your best, my best for you."
So my friends, may you receive our Father's new day blessing this morning. And may we do our best, in wonder and humility, being all that is possible for us, for God is with us, and God is for us, to His good pleasure.
Love you, faith family!