A Prayer for My Youngest Son on His First Day of School

Father,

You are a good God. You are a God that – more often than not – seems close. I do not question Your permanent absence or leaving. I have learned that you are always near, because Your Word says you are.

But God, I feel like a fish out of water.

As I hear about my Dad’s suffering in the hospital but cannot be with him, I struggle. As my youngest son, Ethan, starts his first day of school today, and I am unable to be with him, I struggle. Instead, I am away from both of these people that I love.

You are not distant; I feel distant.

What gives me comfort is knowing that You haven’t left either of their sides.

As Ethan faces a new chapter of his life as a middle schooler and meets new people, I pray that you would give him confidence and boldness for the new challenges. I pray that you would enable and empower him to be a steadfast witness for you among those who need you. I pray that Ethan would meet each challenge with an attitude of joy and trust in You, for you are worthy of such dependence.

Protect my son. Heal my dad. Help me trust that the nearest proximity I might have to the both of them isn’t as good as your presence alongside of them.

You are a good God.

Amen.