Box Brigade and FOMO!

This is a fabulous idea!  Our church gathers the mothers of college students by grade level,  and we all bring goodies, scripture, encouraging notes to put in bags for each child represented.  We did it once in the fall, and just did it last Saturday morning.  It is such a blessing to all involved. After filling the bags, we gather and share prayer requests for our students and then have a sweet time of prayer.   Of course the students get a wonderful care package full of yummy treats and encouragement and the mom's get the reminder that we can go to GOD with all of the things burdening our hearts for our students.  It was perfect to do right here at finals time when the kids are under so much stress....at least my student is! 

Thankfully, she has proven herself to be a great college student.  She has learned the balance of studying and being successful AND not missing out on too many fun things.  In fact, she is suffering from a condition that I think has caused her to be sick multiple times this semester due to not enough rest.  This condition is something she and her friends have labeled FOMO- fear of missing out.  Heaven forbid you miss a party, mixer, or opportunity to socialize.  I think I would be a bit more worried about her condition if she hasn't had such a successful year academically.  To be honest, I am pretty sure I suffered from the same condition, but I didn't seem to have the balance down. 

Balance...what does that look like? Well, for my 19 year old freshman (soph in about 4 days) it does involve some ALMOST all nighters in the library more often than I like to hear about, plenty of pictures to post on facebook at random themed parties in some unusual attire, fabulous new friendships, a passion for her future endeavors, excitement registering for next semester classes, sorority bible study, service opportunities, meetings, babysitting for local families.....she seems to squeeze a lot in and I am thrilled she is making the most of her college experience!


Here is something I found on line that I included in by Box Brigade contributions:

Dear God, I ask for your help during final exams based on who you are and the promises that you make in the Bible.   I thank you God that you are the source of all wisdom as it says in Proverbs:

“By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place, by his knowledge the deeps were divided and the clouds let drop the dew.” (Proverbs 3:19,20 New International Version of the Bible.)

Help me to remember that however complex the subject may be that I am tackling, you can enable me to grasp it, understand it and remember the details because you are the originator of all knowledge.  I thank you that you promise to help me when I ask for wisdom as it says in James:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5 NIV)

Help me to believe that even as I am praying, you are giving me the wisdom and the help I need. I thank you that studying and gaining this knowledge will be beneficial to me as it says in Proverbs:

“He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers.” (Proverbs 19:8 NIV)

I thank you that although the discipline of studying seems very difficult right now, it will be well worth it as it says in Hebrews:

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11 NIV)

I thank you that even though I may feel stress and pressure during exam time, it says in Philippians:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

And finally, I thank you that through the help of the Holy Spirit, I might have the mind of Christ:

“’For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” (First Corinthians 2:16 NIV)

Thank you God that as I have spoken to you, you have spoken to me through your words in the Bible. Help me to remember them and depend on them during exams. Thank you for your wisdom, truth and help. Amen.

Prayerideas.org

Good luck and do your best!
I love you, Mom