School supplies, books, desks and classrooms. It is back to school again. It seemed like the fastest summer on the books and before I knew it I was quickly rushing to buy uniforms and the last bit of school supplies just to have it in time. The summer flew by and I am left wondering how my children are already that old. The first day of school arrived and a piece of my heart went with them as I watched them eagerly and excitedly walk up the school steps.
While it is definitely nice to get back to some sort of schedule and normalcy after enjoying the long summer days, it is always hard to send the kids back to school. To say goodbye, to not be with them during the day, and to wonder what kind of joys or trials they may be experiencing. Only wishing I was there to be that comfort and reassurance.
Maybe this year it’s sending your first child to kindergarten, perhaps your last one to high school, or saying goodbye as you move your child to college. No matter the age, as parents our hearts continually long for the best for our children. Sure, we want to see them succeed, excel and do well. Even more so we want to see them grow in virtue, to know Christ, and to faithfully serve him out of great love.
At the beginning of the school year, I was given a survey asking what my hope was for my child this year, while my initial answer is for my sixth grader to excel in math or my first grader to learn how to spell. Ultimately, the answer is heaven. What is the end goal and hope for my child? Heaven. To know, love and serve God on earth and to be forever united with him in heaven. Our children were made by God and for him. In teaching them to always look to Christ above all, we are also teaching them how to live fully alive and how to find true joy and peace here on this earth.
This past weekend we celebrated the Feast Days of St. Monica and St. Augustine, mother and son. A mother who prayed and sacrificed unceasingly for the conversion of her son. A mother whose heart ached and mourned as she watched her son, again and again, turn away from Christ. A mother who had great faith and hope as she never let go of her son’s hand and through her prayer and example was drawing him towards Christ.
St. Monica was so determined to see that her son had a conversion of heart that she followed St. Augustine all of the way to Rome and Milan. Unlike St. Monica, we may not be able to follow our children to school or stay with them in college, but our prayers can. Our prayers and sacrifices for our children are powerful.
One of my favorite ways to pray for my children is by praying to their Guardian Angel throughout the day who is continually present to them. Some other forms of prayer would be to offer Mass for your children, consecrate them to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts, pray the rosary for them and offer up sacrifices. As we hold onto Christ’s hand we continually bring our children along with us, holding onto theirs and pulling them closer and closer into his merciful heart.
