I always laughed at the brilliant back-to-school commercials that Staples produced many years ago. With the Christmas song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” playing in the background, the adults skipped happily down the aisle picking up school supplies while the kids were sad and moping. It seemed to sum up some of the end-of-the-summer feelings in a lighthearted way.
The truth is that going back to school comes with a myriad of emotions. Even if you don’t have kids that are heading off to school, you remember the feelings that you had as a school-age child or the feelings of your own children’s past experiences. Some years there was excitement and joy, others dread and fear. It can be a roller coaster ride for each unique person who is going off to school and for the adult who is sending them.
One of my favorite stories as a preschool director was “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn. It was about Chester the raccoon who did not want to leave his mom to go to school. His mom kisses him on the hand and explains that the kiss will be with him throughout the day. Whenever he is sad or worried, he just needs to rub his hand to remind him of his mom’s love. As Chester is almost ready to go, he returns the message of comfort to his mom by kissing her on the hand.
Isn’t that what we all long for? Reminders that we are loved to bring us comfort? Jesus tells us, “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20). At our baptism the image of the cross is placed on our forehead and we are told, “Child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.” The Spirit of God goes with us as we head out to work or school as our constant source of comfort and love. Still, it is a beautiful thing when God uses people to remind us.
I was talking to a parent on Sunday when her child began tugging on her leg and pointing with excitement saying, “That’s my teacher!” Later, I told “the teacher” that she generated happiness just by being there that morning. She was surprised. She was his group leader that walked him from station to station at Vacation Bible School this summer. She didn’t feel like she did much besides being there to guide the children. But she was there, laughing, singing, modeling kindness, and being the light of Jesus.
That’s how God’s love works through our fears, anxieties, happiness, and joys. It can start small like the cross on a child's forehead at baptism, with a parent’s kiss on the hand, or a smile and kindness to a child in your group.
How can we find reminders each day for ourselves and others that the Holy Spirit always dwells in our hearts and minds? How is God using you to emanate and imitate that love? Especially as this new school year begins, look for how God is guiding, comforting, and leading you and then share that with others.
In God’s love,
Angie Seiller
Director of Faith Formation