Abbi Scott, Life-Link Chaplain at The Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoats School, ponders the transitions we experience in daily life, like back to school time
Back-to-school. For many children and young people, this will be a time of getting that new pair of shoes, buying the next size of uniform and checking to see if the pens and highlighters from last year are still in good enough working order or if it’s time for a pencil case re-kitting out. The long 6-week holiday is often eagerly awaited by pupils and the reality of the last few precious days left comes along all too soon. September marks the start, for many, of a new beginning. A reset and refresh ready for the year ahead. Once again, the morning rush is on, getting everyone out the door on time, the streets filling up with cars and buses as people settle back into the school run. As children and young people begin this new year of school, I am sure there will be mixed emotions buzzing around the classrooms. For those starting school for the first time, moving up to secondary school or sixth form college, this time carries even more anticipation and sense of new beginnings, as they seek to settle into a new environment. It is important to remember, however, that for some, going back to school can be a very difficult time, for both families and students. Not all children have a positive time at school and can be fearful of returning. As we begin this September, we all have a different relationship to school. Maybe school is your place of work, maybe you are a parent, maybe you live near a school or maybe school was many moons ago, yet you can still relate to those feelings of starting back. Prompted by the return of the schools this is a pertinent time in the year to reflect and consider how we handle change, and the fresh opportunities put before us.
In the book of Ruth, we encounter a young woman who, after marrying into a family, loses her husband and becomes a young widow. As with the culture of her time, she was loyal to her new mother-in-law, Naomi, even with the loss of her husband. Despite Naomi’s best efforts to encourage Ruth to move on and marry into another family, Ruth vows to look after Naomi and move to Naomi’s homeland. Ruth enters as a stranger and in the face of this new beginning, she finds strength in Naomi’s God, the Lord, the God of Israel. In their patience and faithfulness, despite tragedy and huge change, they find blessing in a new beginning. I wonder where there might be, or where you long for there to be, new beginnings being shaped in your life? The Bible is full of people who find a new beginning as they encounter the Lord. In the New Testament, those with cold and unbelieving hearts are transformed as they encounter the love of Christ, setting their life on a new track, a fresh start. Change is confronting, new beginnings can be daunting and yet often in amongst these feelings we also find encouragement, renewal and blessing. Do pray for all those starting back at school this September that this new year might be full of opportunities and growth, and I pray that for us all we might encounter the love of God through our new beginnings, finding courage and faith through following him. As Psalm 23 so beautifully reminds us, he is our good shepherd in whom we can trust.
Psalm 23 - A psalm of David. (1)
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
(1) New International Version