Trust God in the unknown

How do I trust God with my children’s education in this season of uncertainty?

“What will the school year look like for my kids?” “Will they be in school physically or virtually?” “Should I homeschool, private school or public school?”

“One day I think I know what we will do as a family but the next day new information is released and suddenly I have no clue again.” “I worry my kids will fall behind and have trouble catching up.” “My child graduates high school in the next couple of years, how is this year going to affect college admission?”

These are questions and comments I’ve heard from moms and dads online and in face to face conversations. Parents are concerned and have every right to be worried about their children’s education. Believe me I’m right there with each of those concerns.

Throughout these months of COVID; worry, fear and questions have threatened to overtake my focus. But each time I start to spiral into worry and fear I’m reminded to trust God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5,6

Through Proverbs 3:5,6 God gives us four truths.

Trust God

• Trust His Goodness – Psalm 27:13 tells us “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” We are in the middle of uncertainty for our health along with school for our children, but we can be confident in knowing that God will see us through the uncertainty we face. In Psalm 34:8 we read, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” When we trust and obediently follow God we will see His goodness.
• Believe God has a good plan for our children – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13) The Lord has good plans for our children. He hears us when we call out for our children. And as we seek Him with all our heart he will lead us in the right path to take.

Lean on God

• Give our worry to God – David tells us in Psalm 55:22, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” And in 1 Peter 5:7 we are again told to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Our worry and concerns are no surprise to God. We just need to open our hearts and give it to Him.
• Allow Him to carry us – In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus tells us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” God is ready to take this burden from us. He’s asking us to release this worry to Him. When we do we will find rest, peace and assurance that He knows what’s best for our children.

Acknowledge God

• Acknowledge Him – “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 When we stop striving to figure out all the details and sit quietly and still in God’s presence we will know Him and He will give us the peace we need to trust His leading.

Follow God

• Fix our eyes on God – “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2,3) Keep our eyes on God. We must not become consumed by all the chatter on Social Media. But instead, we must do what is best for our family. When we focus on God He will reveal each next step we are to take.

The Next Step

As much as we would like Him to, God is not going to reveal the whole path for our children’s education all at once. We must trust Him with each step forward.

Uncertainty and flexibility are key words in this season. This week we may make a decision for our children but next semester or next year may look different.

Don’t be afraid to pivot if God asks you to make a change.

The important thing to remember is to keep our eyes focused on God. We must spend time alone with Him in prayer and trust Him to reveal the right direction for our families.

Oh Lord you are good. Your mercies are new every morning. You are Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Times may be uncertain but you Lord are on your throne. You know our worry and concern. We ask you to give us the peace we need to sit still with you and listen to the next step we are to take for our children’s education. Give us the confidence to know and trust your path for our family. In Jesus name, amen.

In His Calm,