The church bell has just struck 10 am outside on this Monday morning, with what looks to be another hot August day warming up outside. We also stand on the eve of another school year here in Fairfield, with students and faculty set to officially begin on Wednesday, August 12th, 2026. Many of our students have already started at both Dew ISD and Teague ISD.
This year was my daughter Shiloh’s first year of kindergarten, and the first time I have ever dropped her off at a school that wasn’t Noah’s Ark Preschool. She looked so grown up with her lunchbox and backpack, all geared up and ready for the day. As she made her way to class, she didn’t even look back! She was focused on this new adventure, ready for what came her way.
It takes one back to those formative years of childhood when we would begin the school year. The various traditions or rituals we would participate in on that special day. Maybe it was a certain breakfast being made, or a certain outfit one had to pick out, or having the right type of school supplies, lunch box, or backpack. To many of us, those days are distant memories, clouded with either nostalgia for the lucky ones, or possibly tinged with pain for those who had less attentive moments on those first days of school.
But all that to say, my goal in this devotional was to offer parents, students, and teachers a piece of wisdom/advice that might help calm any nerves that may be welling up within you or your student at the prospect of a coming school year. One group that always seemed to be in transition (either good or bad) or on the move (either towards prosperity or exile) was God’s chosen, the Israelites.
Whether it be wandering the desert, dwelling in the promised land, trapped in exile, or building the temple, God’s people were always seemingly moving from one point to the next. Perhaps this is why in the book of Deuteronomy we find the following text: “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you” Deuteronomy 31:8. The God of creation goes with us in all things and in all ways. And that is the one constant in life that never changes.
So, if your student is a little nervous about all the changes occurring this year, if you have a teacher friend who is feeling overwhelmed by the mountain of things to accomplish, or you’re just a parent who is anxious about how quickly time is passing, remember that the God of creation continues to journey with us.
The Lord is the one constant in our life that we can count on. Have a great first day of school, everyone!
Pastor Mike McVey
Minister – First United Methodist Church, Fairfield, TX;
Chaplain – Texas Game Wardens, Freestone County
Cell: 919-935-2513
Email: pastormike@fumcfairfield.org
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
“Semper Paratus” – Always Ready
