First Day of Kindergarten — A Prayer for the Anxious Mama Heart

Today was Jonathan’s first day of kindergarten. His first day of school… but if I’m honest, it felt like my first day too.

I thought I was ready. The backpack was packed, snack made, and his outfit picked out... But nothing prepared me for the moment I watched him walk away, stepping into a whole new world without me holding his hand. Suddenly, my heart was full of questions.

Will he fit in?
Will he make a friend?
Will he laugh and love his new school?
Will he be kind? Will others be kind to him?

And as those questions flooded in, so did the fears I didn’t want to admit.

But in that swirl of emotions, God whispered back:
“Fear not, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10).

This is where the Lord reminded me — Jesus is walking into that classroom with him. Even if Jonathan doesn’t realize it yet, even if his little heart can’t fully grasp the depth of His presence, Jesus is there. Not standing off to the side, not just watching from heaven, but right there in the middle of the crayons, storybooks, and recess games.

We have no idea how protected our children are.
No matter what Jonathan decides to do today, whether he raises his hand in class or stays quiet, whether he plays with ten kids or just one, Jesus is beside him. God is not “on a shift,” clocking in and out depending on the situation. He cannot not be with us.

Whether we like it or not, whether we feel it or not, God is there. And He cannot stop loving or listening, it’s who He is. He has drawn us into a covenant love that doesn’t let go.

And in that truth, I can breathe again.

So today, I pray this over my son and over every mama sending her little one off into the big world for the first time:

Lord, protect our children as they step into new places. Guard their hearts and minds. Let them know Your presence, even if they don’t yet have the words to describe it. Give them courage to be kind, strength to face new challenges, and joy that can only come from You. Remind us, their mamas, that You love them more than we ever could and that You are using every moment for their good and Your glory. Amen.

Psalm 9 reminds us, “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” May that be the anthem of our hearts as we watch our little ones take brave steps into the world — knowing they never take them alone.