Back-To-School Blessings: What Matters Most
As summer winds down and the school supply aisles fill with notebooks and backpacks, our family, like so many, is preparing for the return of early alarms, packed lunches, and evening homework routines. But even more important than sharpened pencils and new sneakers is the opportunity this season gives us to re-center our homes on something deeper: a foundation of faith.
My husband and I often reflect on what a gift it has been to raise our children in the arms of a church family that both supports and challenges us. Our kids have grown up knowing they are seen, known, and called into a growing relationship with Jesus. As parents, we’ve been equally blessed to be discipled in how to "train up a child in the way they should go" (Proverbs 22:6).
One of the most impactful practices we’ve embraced as parents began when our children were toddlers: a nightly blessing. It wasn’t something we discovered on our own. Early on, pastors, mentors and other families came alongside us, encouraging us to be intentional in shaping our children’s faith. We stood with other parents who committed to do the same, vowing to cover tour kids in prayer and truth, day by day, night by night. That community shaped us, and it shaped the way we parented.
The blessing we chose came from Numbers 6:24–27:
“The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His face toward you and give you peace.”
With hands gently resting on their heads, we intentionally prayed these words. As life grew busier, especially in the middle and high school years, consistency sometimes slipped, but the heart behind it remained. From this practice, we learned some key principles that continue to guide our family:
Be intentional. It's easy to get lost in busy schedules, but making space for spiritual connection keeps your family grounded in truth.
Honor their uniqueness. Set aside time with each child individually to pray with them and call out the God-given gifts you see in them.
Speak identity daily. Remind your kids who they are—and whose they are—with your words and actions.
Point them to peace. In a noisy world, show them where to fight anxiety and find refuge—in Christ alone.
Create a haven. Let home be the soft place they land: steady, safe, and full of unconditional love.
As the school year begins, check off what matters most. Find simple practices to anchor your children not just in routine but in truth. Whether it’s a nightly blessing, a morning prayer, or a note in the lunchbox, let it be something that says: You’re not alone. You are seen, loved, and made on purpose. God goes before you. And we’re here, too!
May your back-to-school season be marked by more than preparation. Let it be anchored in purpose. Invite Jesus into your daily rhythms. He brings peace to the pressure, clarity to the chaos, and the strength your kids (and you) need for this year and every season to come.