Back-to-School Sacrifices

It happens every year…

Back-to-school time sneaks up on me.

Before I know it, I am in the aisles of Walmart looking for notebooks, pens, and maybe some cool sticky notes. (Authors love those kind of things, you know.) Of course, I’m not alone in those aisles. The space is usually packed with parents and grandparents and their school-aged children. Someone has the school supply list in one hand and a pencil in the other. Someone is looking for the designs that will impress their friends or for the folders with cute puppies and kittens to cheer them up during classes.

Someone is looking for the best buy on those supplies.

Who can blame the bargain hunter? After all, I am THAT person, or I wouldn’t be so excited to get a good deal on the tools of my trade.

But this year, I heard something a little different. I heard more than one parent explain that part of the purchase would need to be made next time.

Times are hard for lots of folks.

school suppliesI went home feeling sad that I didn’t offer to help buy supplies for those families. I went home feeling blessed, too. I know that I was blessed with parents who always put my needs before theirs. Because of them, I never had to worry about having the right school supplies.

Maybe you are THAT parent or grandparent. Maybe you have been blessed to take care of the needs of your family, even if it means not having something you want.

Maybe you are the other parent or grandparent. You sometimes need to spread out the purchases.

And that’s okay.

Somewhere in the town where you live, a child is learning because you have made sure he has the tools he needs. I believe that he is learning so much more. I believe that because of your sacrifices of love that child is learning to love sacrificially, too. I’m thinking that Jesus kind of loves that.

Many blessings to you and the children in your family at this back-to-school time.

Carol

 

 

 

Carol McAdams Moore

Carol McAdams Moore writes for children and youth in the general and Christian markets. Her debut tween devos: Dare U 2 Open This Book – draw it, write it, dare 2 live it – 90 devotions and Just Sayin’ – write ‘em, draw ‘em, hide ‘em in your heart – 90 devotions released in September 2014.

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2 comments

  1. Carol, I was one of those kids whose grandparent made sure I had my school supplies… and the nurturing and guidance that I needed. You are right, these are tough times for many people. In times past, I was able to help out others financially, but I am no longer able to do that. So what I do instead, is write out a simple, heartfelt prayer for them and give it to them. I have found that this ministers to them as well.

    Be blessed. May God strengthen and undergird all those parents and grandparents you saw the other day.

    1. Thanks for sharing with us, Debbie. It is obvious that your grandparent’s legacy continues through you as you minister to others. The prayers of God’s people are powerful. What a blessing you offer to those you pray for!

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