Remember To Pray For College Students This Week

If you have a child that attends or know of a student that attends a college that is on semesters, you may want to pray for them this week. It is quite possible that it may be Finals Week for them. Think back on when you were in college. Finals week can be hectic and filled with a lot of last minute reports being completed, cramming for that last final test to close out the semester, and lack of sleep to fulfill all that needs to be done.
If you have a child in college at this time this is a great suggestion. If you are local and within driving distance to where your child attends college why not prepare a great home cooked meal and bless them with it. Who doesn't like Mom's cooking especially when it is prepared with love? Now, don't let me exclude Dad's cooking also. There may be some Father's out there that enjoy cooking also. If they have a roommate or two don't forget to prepare enough for them also. You never know if that roommates parents are not physically able to prepare a meal for their child so why not bless them for their parents. Remember, that kindness you extended to a college student could be the very thing they needed to encourage them for the week. These are the children that are being raised up in universities across our land to be the decision makers of the future. If you show them kindness now they just may remember that kindness when they are in a position someday to make and put into effect laws that will either benefit or hinder us. When you think of it on that scale it would definitely cause you to seek out college students you know within your family circle and bless them.
Even a gift card to Starbucks or other local coffee shops would be a blessing also. What about that homemade care package you create for your child and bless them with it during finals week. Most colleges offer pre-made care packages designed for finals week. If you are not creative or in a position to make one on your own then go ahead and take advantage of the universities package and send it. They usually allow a note card to be written by you and send it to encourage your child. Whatever the option is that you choose follow through with it and call your child today and tell them that you love them and you are cheering for them and encourage them that they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them.
You may be scouting out colleges/universities for a child that is about to attend a school in the Fall. I would recommend searching for the right school for your child by asking the Lord to let you see each university/college you visit through the eyes of Christ. In the natural we may just see a beautiful campus with a lovely neighborhood surrounding it. A great list of professors on staff and the roster. There is more to seeking out a school for your child than the obvious things. Seek the Lord for wisdom to see what the talent is in your child. He will show you where the best opportunity for your child to go, advance, grow and receive what is needed in their life to equip them for their journey. At times, if you have a very mature child they may already know where that location is. In most cases though it is up to the parent to make the final decision as to where to send that child. The Lord really does speak to parents in this respect. He sees the bigger picture when it comes to the safety of your child and even the children that will live in the very dorm your child lives in. He knows already of the temptations that are out there that may cause your child to stumble. Do not underestimate the wisdom of God that He will give to you if you just ask Him for it OK.
I have very fond memories of my college days and still keep in contact with a few friends that I met while attending college. I was one of those children that would have been lost at a very large state college/university, I needed a smaller campus setting where there was more of a personal touch in the student /teacher ratio. Each child requires something different for their personality and nature of study. One of my children chose a large university and the other chose a smaller university. Remember, each child will not fit into the mold of the sibling per say. Let them be who they are called to be. Now, that is not the general rule of thumb though. My sister and I both attended the same university. We had a choice given to us. It was either to attend a state school and get a car and commute to school or attend the smaller, private university and live on campus. The choice was quite obvious to me, live on campus and have the opportunity to grow up. Whatever the choice may be enjoy the experience of scouting out schools with your child. It is even OK to take siblings along for the ride when you scout out these schools. You know, through the eyes of a child they may see something totally different than that teenager or parent sees. Don't forget this also, when your child is at college it is OK to let your younger-age appropriate children attend a siblings weekend with their brother or sister. Make sure that the child you are sending them to be with for the weekend is responsible and will look out for the best interest of their little brother/sister, that is just as important.
Be a part of your child's college experience, you'll be glad you did. They may think they are adults when they leave home to attend school but the reality of it is that they are still a child and love to hear that their parents are thinking of them and love them and are their biggest encourager's/fans.