Reflections on the first day of school

Today was grade 8 orientation day at school. Since I'm a grade 8 registration teacher again this year, it was my duty (along with my other grade 8 reg teacher colleagues) to stand and wait at the school's side gate to welcome in the new students. When we arrived the girls were already swarming in the gate and we were met with a buzz of excited murmurings. There stood a large crowd of teenage girls with really long skirts, clean school bags and blinding white shirts.

Although I was curious about the new grade 8s (especially since I'll be teaching 2/3s of them,) something else caught my attention. What was happening outside the school gate was more interesting than the chattering inside. Groups of parents stood watching their daughters go off to their first day of 'big' school. They waved, and giggled at their nervous little girls as they took their first step and often first stumble (you have to step up into the gate and we forgot to put up a 'Mind the Step' sign) into high school life. There was flash of cameras as these excited parents captured this significant moment.

I was amazed by the look of pride that these parents had on their faces as they smiled adoringly at their daughters. Many of the girls looked embarrassed and walked away quickly, yet that didn't deter their parents.

The way that these parents felt about their daughters is the way that God feels about us. He loves us so much and is so proud of us. Even when we walk away or deny Him, that doesn't stop Him from loving us. He stands at the gate and watches us proudly, waiting for us to come to Him.

'The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.' (Zephaniah 3:17)