It’s the night before my little baby girl goes into upper school. My first born. My little princess. How is this possible? Wasn’t I just walking her into pre-school? This was the little girl that could barely keep her eyes open after the first day of kindergarten because she had so much fun and had to make friends with every single person. 

Now, she is grown into a tall and beautiful, young woman who will still want to make friends with everyone tomorrow. Her shoe size is bigger than mine and she is taller than I am now. 

I think back to how I was in middle school. I was awkward and unsure of who I was. I desperately wanted to fit in and knew I didn’t measure up to the other girls. Especially my best friend! She was perfect. (She still is.) I remember laughing with friends during lunch and meeting new people. I remember feeling embarrassed in the class when the teacher would call on me. Standing in front of others was plain torture and it was a part of my grade in some classes. 

I remember not going to class on frog dissection day and feeling like my teacher held that against me the rest of the school year. I remember going to parties that I probably shouldn’t have been at…doing things I shouldn’t have been doing. It was middle school. It was where I thought I was being a big girl and learning about who I was. It’s really where I was the most lost.

I actually still feel very much like that little girl on some days.  But now, I have a Savior. I now know that I am loved and worthy and that I do, in my own unique way, fit into the kingdom of God. And my girl knows this! She will walk into the world of 7th grade tomorrow, knowing that she belongs to Him…knowing that she is loved by Him and that she is to love others because of Him. I am beyond grateful.  

Will she have her moments of insecurity?  I’m sure. Will she make bad decisions? Probably. But she starts this journey with a greater knowledge of God’s grace and mercy than I ever did. I held both my little girls tonight with tears in my eyes. I’m thankful God would give my husband and me the joy of raising them. I’m thankful for the moments I’ve been given with them. Every conversation.  They challenge me to the core. I will keep embracing and keep seeking God for wisdom and direction and everything in between.  

May He lead our way, light the path, and protect these sweet girls. Seventh grade, here we come!

Praying for all of the families going back to school this week. I’d love to hear how you are doing in the comments. 💕