Today is the last day of kindergarten.

Justus, my five-year-old, is incredibly nostalgic for such a young soul. We had an illuminating conversation on the way to school this morning.

“Can you believe it, Justus?”

“What?”

“You made it! You’re done with kindergarten now!”

A grin spreads like taffy across his gorgeous face. “I remember my first day.”

“Me too,” I say, thinking back. So many new kids to befriend. New teachers. New rules. Name-tags and desks. An alphabet that snaked around the room. A carpet covered with letters and numbers. “You know, God was with you then. And He’s with you now, on your last day. How cool is that?”

“I’m blessed,” he says, wisely.

Tears blur my eyes. “Yes, baby. Yes, you are.”

“Know what it reminds me of?”

“What?” I ask.

He doesn’t answer. Instead, my little man begins a song, his blue eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,” he sings.

I join in. Jaz, my one-year-old, even tries to help.

“When I feel afraid and think I’ve lost my way.
Still, You’re there right beside me.
Nothing will I fear as long as You are near;
Please be near me to the end.

I will not forget Your love for me and yet,
My heart forever is wandering.
Jesus be my guide and hold me to Your side,
And I will love you to the end.”

We sang this old Amy Grant song (which he believes originated with Jr. Asparagus) until his sneakers hit the school-yard pavement. Then, he threw his backpack on, blew me a kiss, and ran to the playground.

And me? I prayed.

Thank You, Jesus, for my little man. Thank You for blessing me with him. For keeping him safe. For being right beside him when I couldn’t be. Thank you for the friends he’s made this year. For the lessons he’s learned. For a wonderful teacher. Thank You for holding him and guiding him. Thank You for his child-like faith and the relationship You’ve begun with him. And for my baby girl, I also pray. That my children will always know the safety of Your guiding hand. Every day, for the rest of their lives. That when things are hard, when they travel through valleys and dry places, I pray they would know Your ever-sustaining grace. And when they walk roads they don’t understand, let them remember this song. Let them seek You in both the darkness and the light. For your Word promises that You will be found if they seek You with their whole hearts. And, I pray, dear, sweet Jesus, that my children will love you–truly love you–to the end.