Across the Pastor’s Desk by Eileen Woyen

School has started for some. The traditional start of school was this past Tuesday.

Kids don’t want school to start. They want summer to continue forever. The later bedtimes. The longer days. The fun. The time on the lake. The different schedules. No homework. No tests.

Many parents can’t wait for school to start. The earlier bedtimes. More of a routine. Less fighting among siblings who have spent too much time together. Maybe a minute of alone time.

As a mother of a fourth-th grader and kindergartener, I have mixed feelings. I am excited for both my boys. I love watching them learn and the amazement of new knowledge. I am ready for the sibling wars caused by much too much time together to be over.

However, I am also sad that another summer is over. There will be less time for cuddles, laughs and adventures. I am also sad that I no longer have a preschooler. I have a kindergartener, and I’m three years away from a teenager.

I know as I take the first day of school pictures I will be praying. I will be praying for my boys. I will be praying for their teachers and aides. I will be praying for their classmates. I will be praying for those bullied and for the bully. I will be praying for safety. I will be praying for learning and joy.

So many bemoan the fact that there is no longer organized school prayer. However, there is school prayer. I pray every day for our schools, our students (especially two boys I love terribly), our teachers and for the learning that is being done.

I invite you to pray. Pray especially as school begins. Pray that our students and teachers will have an awesome, productive year. Pray for safety to and from school, in the classroom and on the sports arena. Pray that Jesus is present in their lives.

Pray for our schools.

Eileen Woyen is a pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.