Remember those lazy summer days flowing into crisp falls, snowballing into long winters that never seem to end? Here we are again - buying school supplies, new socks, and winter coats. There is an excitement in the air!

Proverbs 6 admonishes us to model after the ant diligently preparing while there is opportunity for the long winter ahead. What preparations do we need to make right now while there is opportunity?

While new clothes are important, a new beginning is more important. A new classroom, a new friend, a new day! We should teach our children that every day brings fresh mercies from the Lord for all (Lam. 3:22-24; Eph. 2:4-10), and then extend mercy to them by the way we forgive and move on with life together. Yes, we lovingly correct our children, modeling after God the Father Who moves us toward greater righteousness through training and discipline (Heb. 12:5-11). But we also forgive them just as God has forgiven us (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:12-17). That means every day is new with new mercies!

Another preparation we make each fall is for meals at school. Some buy, some brown bag it, but all need to eat. How are we feeding our children from the Bread of Life? Have we shared the gospel (I Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 10:9-13) and led them into a personal relationship with Christ? Are we training them in the ways of the Lord (Deut. 6:4-9) and bringing them up with a balance of nurture (structured discipline) and admonition (reaching their hearts) - Eph. 6:4? Devotions at mealtimes or before bed, church and school Bible classes, devouring God's Word and making it a part of our everyday lives - many are the ways to feed our children eternal truth and model before them godliness.

Preparation time is a window of opportunity, and we must be ready when the bell rings!