With the Christmas break almost finished it's time again to think about sending the kids back to school and getting into the "normal" routine of day-to-day life.

I remember these days as a kid as if it were yesterday. I use to dread that last day of Christmas break and thinking about once again having to get up early in the morning, get dressed, and head out to the bus stop in the cold, dark, early morning.

Come to think of it, now that I'm an adult working in the public schools I still feel that way, except without the heading out to the bus stop part. At least it gives me something else I can relate to my kids about and share their, "do we have to?" attitude.

But in light of the recent tragedies that have occurred, some of us, along with our children, may have a little trepidation about heading out the door and back to school and work. Perhaps in addition to, or instead of, the recent tragedies, other stressors have taken place in our lives. For some people the Christmas season can be an exceptionally stressful time of the year with many family issues clouding out the joy of the season.

What are some things we can do to help get the new year started off on a more positive note? Are there some suggestions we can follow to send our children off to school with less fear and more security?

One resource that I've found helpful comes from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and gives some good suggestions on what parents can do in order to help alleviate some of the fear our children may be experiencing. Some of these suggestions include: 1) spend extra time reading or playing quiet games before bed; 2) make time to talk with your children each day; 3) let children express their emotions; 4) give plenty of hugs; 5) safeguard your child's physical health (good snacks, enough exercise, plenty of rest); 6) maintain a "normal" routine (but don't be inflexible); 7) consider some monitoring of internet and social media (especially if you feel your child is experiencing fear and anxiety over what has happened in the Connecticut tragedy); and 8) reassure them that they are safe.

Now while these are good suggestions and good reminders of what we should be doing every day with our children in order to stay in-tune to what's going on with them, there are also some good Biblical resources. The verses I want to share with you will probably make you say, "Oh yeah, I remember that." That's exactly what I said when A) I read them in our family Christmas letter that my wife wrote; and B) I heard and read them today as part of the sermon given this morning in church. The verses I'm speaking of are found in sixth chapter of the book of Matthew, starting with verse 25 and ending with verse 34.

Verse 25 starts off with, "eat or what you will drink; nor about your boTherefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will dy, what you will put on..." Verse 27 adds, "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" This whole section ends with verse 34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about it's own things..." We do not have to worry about anything that's out there in the world or what may come. God is with us and in control. In addition to the above verses I'd like to add Matthew 10:28-31. This is the portion of scripture which talks about the fact that even a sparrow doesn't fall to the ground without God knowing about it (verse 29); and that we are not to fear because we are worth much more to God than many sparrows (verse 31).

Throughout scripture God reassures us that we have no need to fear because He is with us, and if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31). Also consider Psalm 27:1, "The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God." Isaiah 43:1-3a,...fear not...I have called you by your name,...you are mine."

We have no need to fear because if we have that confidence in our hearts - that trust that He is for us, with us, and strengthening us - then we will know that God is always there no matter what we face. And if we have such confidence in God, it will be easy for others (including our children) to see it and react to it.