Preparation

The kids went back to school this week. With that came the annual back to school preparations.

We tried on clothes to see what fit. (Why do they keep growing?!) We made and gathered lists of clothing and school supplies. Because the closest large shopping area is an hour away, we made arrangements around practice schedules to have enough time to hopefully get just about everything finished. Each child, with list in hand, searched for the perfect whatever - pencils, pens, backpacks, lunch box, notebook . . . . My older two needed totally new wardrobes - they literally had nothing except maybe a few holey shirts to wear. Thankfully, the youngest didn't need clothes; his patience for apparel shopping is slim. They tried on this; they tried on that. This fit, but not in the right color. He didn't like that shirt, and there weren't any in the right size. Whew! What a day!

You know me by now . . . that got me to thinking. We spent an enormous amount of time, preparation, and money for the kids to return to school. They will outgrow the clothing, the pencils will be sharpened to stubs, and the paper will run out before we know it.

I'm guessing that those of you with kids do the same thing every year to prepare your darlings for another nine months of learning. We spend that much time on something temporary, but how much time do we spend preparing for our eternity with God?

P.S. - My youngest got up the first day of school and none of his jeans or belts fit. They fit two days ago - what happened?! AH! Back to the store again . . .

P.P.S. - I'd post a picture from their first day of school, but for the first time ever I forgot to take one. The kids cheered when I realized too late on the drive to school. So much for our preparations!