We often associate September with new beginnings. This may hark back to the days when we remember school restarting after the long summer holidays. Some of you will have children or grandchildren for whom this time of year will mark something new, and it can be helpful to be reminded that God is always with us wherever we go.

In the Bible, the leader of the Israelites Joshua, is reminded of God’s promises as he faced the prospect of entering a new place and leading the people into the Promised Land. He is told:

‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’

Joshua is reminded that God will be with him whatever he may face in the days and months ahead.

We too can know those promises of God in our own lives, whether we are starting a new season in our lives or not, and September provides an opportunity to ask for God’s blessing on the places we will go and the people we will meet.

Here’s a simple way to do this, if you have a child or grandchild that will be taking a bag to school. Look inside to see if there is a paper name label. On the back of the slip write a simple prayer - Dear God, please bless (child’s name) at school this year. Put the label back in place -with the name at the front! If there isn’t a paper label, you can use a keyring and attach it to the zip. No-one will know the prayer is there except you, the child and God.

If you don’t have a child or grandchild, there is no reason why we cannot do this for ourselves. Grab your go to bag, whether it is a handbag, sports bag or briefcase and find a place to write a hide a blessing label for yourself.

As we remind ourselves that God is with us and he wants to bless the places we go to and people we meet, we will become part of his blessing to our community.

Perhaps then, at the end of the day, we will be reminded of the ways that God has blessed us, and we have been a blessing to others.

So let us pray for our schools, those new opportunities and the adventures that await.

Loving God,

Thank you for our schools, for those who work there and the children they educate.

Please bless them in their work and play.

Thank you for my friends, neighbours and work colleagues.

Thank you that I have the chance to learn new things every day.

Please bless me too and help me to know that you're there for me.

Amen