Don’t You Know What Happens on the Bus? [SHAPED BY FAITH]

My heart dropped when my son got on the bus for the very first time and had to sit in the back with the big kids.

Recently, I tip-toed into my son’s room and whispered, “Today you start Kindergarten!”  His sweet eyes popped open and in an eager whisper he replied, “I’m ready!”  It was the first day of school, and the nervous excitement fueled our morning routine.

Right on time, the bus came round the corner and my “baby” bravely let go of my hand and stepped up into boyhood.  As a Kindergartener, I expected him to find a seat near the front of the bus, but I watched in horror as he walked past full seat after full seat to nearly the back of the bus with the middle schoolers.  I imagined my innocent, precious boy being harassed and exposed, trapped in the back of the bus!  My protective, mama instinct immediately wanted to flag down that bus, pull him off and drive him to school in my own car where he would hear only Christian music and encouraging words.  But, it was too late.  All I could do was put him in God’s hands.   So, with a heavy heart, I said a prayer and headed off to work.

All day long I kept thinking about my boy on that bus.  All day long I waited in anticipation to hear what he heard and saw on his 10 minute ride to school.  Despite prayer for peace, I was anxious most of the day, until I recalled this scripture which eased my heart.

He will cover [my son] with his feathers, and under His wings [my son] will find refuge; His faithfulness will be [my son’s] shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4

When I reach out to scripture, God always provides the words to restore my peace.  Praise God!

When my boy returned home that afternoon, I asked him how the bus went that morning.  He exclaimed, “It was great!”  I laughed because of course it was great.  God had been protecting him the whole time.