Skip to main content

Encouragement for the New School Year


Many of the students along the Mississippi Gulf Coast are beginning school today. There will be plenty of excitement mingled with the fear of the unknown.  As a psychometrist and counselor in various school settings, I saw it all the time.  The age of the student is irrelevant.  Whether it is an elementary student or student bound for college, there is often some amount of apprehension.

An extremely polite kindergartner once told me, "Thank you for inviting me, but I don't think I will be back"! Loved his forthrightness!  You can be sure that I sought out the little fellow the next school day, knowing that his hopes of staying home would be crushed and he might need a little encouragement.  On the other end of the spectrum, I recently spoke with a college bound student who needed a good dose of encouragement before setting off into the big world of college.  

Encouragement...we all need it.  I draw so much encouragement from God's word.  Many families start each new year with a theme Bible verse.  My good friend Lisa has a theme hymn to begin a new year.  What about an encouraging Bible verse for the new school year?  I can think of no better way to begin the adventure of a new school year than with words of encouragement from the Lord.    May I suggest a few for you to consider?

Proverbs 18:10 
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Psalm 16:8  
I keep my eyes always on the Lord.  With Him at my right hand, 
I will not be shaken.

Psalm 55:22  
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; 
He will never let the righteous be shaken.

2 Timothy 1:7  
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, 
love and self-discipline.  
(Great for a shy child)

Proverbs 3: 5-6  
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.  

Ephesians 4:32.  
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, 
just as in Christ God forgave you.
(Great for conflict with friends)

Isaiah 40:31  
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings 
like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

Philippians 4:13  
I can do all things through Christ because he strengthens me.  (ICB)

Do you have a theme verse for the school year?  Would you be willing to share it with all of us?  Please leave me a comment with your family's favorite Bible verse.  If you don't, I hope you will consider spending some time with your family deciding on your theme Bible verse for the school year.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful new school year!
Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

Labels:

Comments

  1. Leslie Anne TarabellaAugust 5, 2016 at 9:02 AM

    I think it's way too early for school to start and finally, finally . . . our county pushed back the start of school to August 22 or 23rd. Can't remember exactly, because since we homeschool now, it doesn't affect us, except for the number of teenagers showing up in my kitchen. Very good words of bravery. When I taught school, I would get teary eyed on the first day just thinking about how nervous all the children and parents were!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsAugust 5, 2016 at 10:35 AM

      I agree, but schools want to get a full semester in for high school credits before the Christmas break. I actually am a fan of year round school. Great smaller breaks throughout the school year and you do not have that lapse of knowledge that may occur with a long summer break. My cousin works in TN and they have year round school in her district. They can actually enjoy a trip to Disney World when its a little cooler! Have a great weekend!
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  2. My thrift store addictionAugust 6, 2016 at 9:29 PM

    Hi Lynda, thanks for sharing your encouraging words @Vintage Charm!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsAugust 8, 2016 at 9:41 AM

      You are welcome. Have a wonderful week!
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  3. StaceyAugust 7, 2016 at 9:23 PM

    Some people have the gift of being encouragers and you do.

    Thanks so much for joining Thoughts of Home on Thursday. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsAugust 8, 2016 at 9:43 AM

      Aw...thank you Stacey! I appreciate your kind words.
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete
  4. ConnieAugust 8, 2016 at 10:40 AM

    Yes, you are an encourager. Thank you for your blog ministry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsAugust 11, 2016 at 4:38 PM

      Thank you Connie for your own words of encouragement! I hope you are having a wonderful week. We are having lots of rain on the MS Gulf Coast. Good time to be inside and catch up on cleaning!
      Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I had planned to share my new front door decor, but alas, like many residents of the MS Gulf Coast, all  loose outside objects have been secured as we await the arrival of Hurricane Isaac. Instead, I thought I would share with you a set of my favorite dinnerware.  I began collecting Memory Lane ironstone many years ago, but my love of the pattern began when I was just a little girl.  My Grandma Mercer had one dinner plate.  I imagine that she picked it up either in a box of laundry soap or as a reward for shopping at the IGA of Chattahoochee, Florida.  I came to love her one plate.  My grandmother would make sure that my food was served on that plate no matter what other dinnerware pattern was set on her table!  When she passed away, I was blessed to receive her dining room set which included a lovely buffet with glass knobs along with the matching table and chairs.  I also received my Memory Lane plate. During my search for more pattern pieces...
35 comments
Read more

Quarantine Reno: The Butler's Pantry/Laundry Room

Good morning everyone! I wanted to share with you a major renovation which Mr. Still Woods and I accomplished during the quarantine. I have been feeling a huge push to simplify not only my life, but our home as well.  I started with reorganizing room by room and donating items we no longer use. After that was accomplished, I began thinking. My husband says that my thinking is always dangerous and usually means a lot of work for him! So let me tell you how this all started.  I have a large pantry in the kitchen with pull out drawers and deep shelves. While it holds tons of pantry items, I was always complaining because items tend to meander to the back of the shelves. When you need a flashlight to see what's in your pantry, you know its too large.  So I decided that I wanted to relocate our pantry into a free standing, shallow unit.  We sat down and drew up a plan we were both happy with.  As with most plans, our plan got altered along the way.  What was to ...
7 comments
Read more

Patriotic Tablescapes

I was perusing the internet for a little 4th of July tablescape inspiration.  Wow...are there some wonderful ideas for any Yankee Doodle Dandy table.  Let's take a look! I love the blog Between Naps on the Porch.  She has a gift for setting a beautiful table.  This one is set with solids of red, white, and blue.  The tall lanterns also lend a patriotic flair and really make the setting cozy. I love the entire setting in this photo from The Gathering of Friends.  The house and yard phtograph beautifully.  Those red chairs really pop! Looks like a great place to entertain and watch fireworks. Tampa Homebody has incorporated some of my favorite glassware into her table setting.  American Fostoria and blue Cape Cod glass make this a festive display. Doesn't this make you want to pull up a chair?  The centerpiece is simple, but quite lovely.  I am crazy about checkered prints.  Super cute from Stone Gable! This is just prec...
10 comments
Read more