Back to school is upon us, and it can be such a busy and stressful time for many women. Whether you’re a teacher engaging a new crop of students, a mom in the throes of establishing a new school routine, a grandmother helping with drop-offs and pick-ups, or simply a woman feeling the angst that seems to settle in the air this time of year, to add “ministry wife” to these other roles only increases the busyness and stress you probably feel. After all, church calendars coincide with this season all too well, bringing new events, activities and responsibilities our way. Because of this, I want to offer a little soul support to help you keep perspective as you go about this new season.

God is in control. He knows what lies ahead.

When I was a child, I lived on a farm for several years. In the summer, I rode horses and fed cows. I helped bail hay and pick green beans. I even raised chickens, if you can believe it. But one of my favorite things to do during this time of year was to go outside at sunset and catch fireflies in a mason jar. These fireflies would glitter and glow in all their natural splendor as I ran around trying to catch them. However, once I got them into the jar and closed the lid, they would immediately stop glowing. As a child, I never understood why. I watched as they crawled around desperately looking for a way out until I unscrewed the lid and let them go.

As an adult, I now understand why those fireflies stopped glowing. They couldn’t move feeling and wanted their flying power back. When each new season comes, especially a busy one like “back to school,” we can also succumb to a glowless fate, if we aren’t careful. We can let our planning, our scheduling, our color coding of the to-do lists (am I the only one?) put a damper on grace as we streamline success. We can also close the lid to God’s free-flying presence and all the benefits of it in our attempts to manage the changes that are coming our way. Leaning on ourselves to make a new season run smoothly, however, is much harder than leaning on God. He is the only One who is truly in control. He knows what lies ahead for us, for our families, and for our church communities. Therefore, He’s a better guide if we simply invite His Spirit to lead and direct our plans.

God is with us. He walks alongside us step by step.

When I was first learning to ride a horse on the farm, I was about ten years old. I felt teeny tiny on top of that giant imposing animal. I was scared, too, so my father would walk alongside me. I would hold the reins. He would hold the saddle. If anything were to go awry, His hands were already up to catch me. In the same way, God promises to be with each of us, day and night, moment by moment whether they are peaceful or stress filled. He’s with us in the highs and the lows. And He’s with us especially in each season of busyness. We may hold onto the reins, but God’s got a firm grip on the saddle. He will be right there beside us each and every step of the way.

God is for us. His names remind us of His real and present help.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, in Luke 24, His followers walked on the road to Emmaus talking about all that had transpired. Jesus came and walked right there alongside them talking with them, but they didn’t recognize Him. They were too caught up in their own thoughts and agenda. I’ve wondered how many times in my own journey how much I’ve suffered from this same spiritual blindness. I have forgotten to invite Him into my plans. I have neglected to seek His ways in my push for efficiency and productivity. It may seem strange, but even in these moments, my mistakes have taught me dependence. I’ve learned God is for me. In fact, when we turn and lean into Him, He is faithful. We get to experience once again just how firm His hold really is.

As a conclusion, I want to share one verse with you. Psalm 20:7 declares, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” I love this verse because it forces me to think. What are the names of this God in whom we trust? His names are rich in meaning and action statements, after all. Redeemer. Savior (1 John 4:14). God with us (Matt. 1:23). Good Shepherd (John 10:11). Living Water (John 4:14). Bread of Life (John 6:35). Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). These aren’t just titles. They’re who God will be. All we have to do is invite Him into this new season, into our todays, and into our tomorrows.