Put kids in ‘spiritual clothing’ as they head to school
“Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus.”
— (Romans 13:14 NIV)
Each year at this time, I reflect with fond memories on the routine of sending my kids back to school.
Many of the memories are varied, yet vivid, to this day. There were funny ones and frustrating ones as we searched for the right back-to-school clothing with the perfect fit.
“Mother, this just doesn’t fit right. Let’s look somewhere else,” my sons would complain as they searched to find a comfortable fitting pair of jeans.
They complained they were too long, too short, too tight. I thought we’d never find ones that fit just right as we searched the stores from morning to night. Then, at last, we found some clothing that fit.
As a parent, I had the responsibility to clothe my children. Their shoes couldn’t pinch their toes or leave blisters on their heels. They had to be able to move in their shirts and jeans. They needed to be adequately dressed for warm and cold climate changes.
More than the material clothing I provided for my children as they returned to school each year was the importance that they were donning the apparel of the love of Christ. They needed to be covered in the knowledge of God’s love for them and that they had worth and value.
Then they needed to know how to display those loving virtues to others. Respecting another’s feelings is high on the priority list. So they needed to refrain from teasing, bullying, or name calling. They needed to hold others in esteem by not taking their belongings or damaging their property.
These are the God-given principles that will keep them out of the principal’s office and bring them good throughout their life. These will make them a shining example to others that do not know the love of Christ.
When the Bible talks about our spiritual clothing it is referring to our behavior. We must purpose ourselves to put on or display this behavior, just as we put on and display our outward apparel.
Filling our children with love and affection, and helping them display the same, is the way we send them back to school.
Ÿ Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. Mark your calendar for her two conferences in September. Annettee will be speaking at Panera Bread in Round Lake Beach from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, on the topic of “Writing and Speaking for Fun and Profit” and from 9-10 a.m. Sept. 26 at the Panera Bread in Gurnee on “Make Your Dream Reality! “ Due to limited seating, registration is preferred. Free. Invite Annettee to speak on any topic at your group or event. Register or contact her by calling (847) 543-8413 or emailing ">Annetteebudzban@aol.com