Back to School, Back to Faith

It’s that time of the year again—back to school!

Classes officially open next week, and I know many students are feeling all sorts of emotions right now. Some are excited to see their friends again, meet new classmates, and get to know their teachers. Others, however, are still holding on tightly to “bakasyon mode” and are not quite ready to wake up early and face a new routine.

We often talk about how students feel during this season, but how about the parents?

Some parents are excited. Some are stressed. Some probably don’t mind at all.

As for me?

Honestly, I feel a little bothered.

Not because of the early mornings.

Not because of my children’s adjustment period.

Not even because of the traffic that will surely return.

It’s the expenses.

You see, on top of the bills that seem to pile up endlessly, due dates chasing one another, and unexpected expenses that appear out of nowhere, here comes another wave of school-related costs.

Enrollment fees.

Books.

School supplies.

Uniforms.

New shoes.

Socks.

Lunch boxes.

And the list goes on.

Yesterday, I went out to buy some school supplies. The store was noticeably more crowded than usual. Everywhere I looked, there were parents and children filling their baskets and carts. As I watched them, I couldn’t help but think, “I only have two kids and I already feel the financial weight. How much more for families with three, four, or even more children?”

While waiting in line at the counter, I silently prayed.

“Lord, pwede dili na pud bills ang mag-sapaw-sapaw? Dili na pud si Judith (“due date”) ang magsige’g gukod? Lord, pwede imong blessings na pud ang mag-sapaw-sapaw ug imong favor ang mag-gukod?”

As soon as I prayed that prayer, God gently reminded me of His Word.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

— Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)

God is able.

Not just able to meet our needs.

Not just able to help us get by.

He is able to provide exceedingly abundantly above what we can ask, think, or imagine.

So when I asked if His blessings could overlap instead of my bills, the answer from God’s Word was a resounding YES.

Then another verse came to mind:

“My cup overflows.”

— Psalm 23:5 (NIV)

Not barely enough.

Not almost empty.

Overflowing.

As I continued running errands, God’s Word kept ministering to my heart. It was like one of those notifications on your phone that keeps popping up until you finally pay attention.

And this was the message:

Even before the need arises, God’s provision is already on the way.

Before we know we need something, God already knows.

Before we see the lack, He already sees the supply.

Before we reach the mountain, He has already prepared what we need at the top.

I was reminded of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22.

God instructed Abraham to take his beloved son Isaac to Mount Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice. It was a difficult command—one that challenged Abraham’s faith and obedience to the very core.

Yet Abraham obeyed.

He didn’t understand everything, but he trusted God.

As they climbed the mountain together, Isaac noticed something.

They had the wood.

They had the fire.

But there was no lamb.

So Isaac asked his father:

“Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

Abraham’s response is one of the most faith-filled statements in Scripture:

“My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.”

— Genesis 22:8 (NKJV)

And that’s exactly what happened.

Just as Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, the Angel of the Lord stopped him. Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. God had already provided the sacrifice.

Here’s something beautiful to think about.

While Abraham and Isaac were climbing up one side of Mount Moriah, that ram—God’s provision—was likely making its way up the other side.

The provision was already on the way.

Abraham couldn’t see it yet.

Isaac couldn’t see it yet.

But God had already arranged it.

Isn’t that often how God works in our lives?

We don’t see the answer.

We don’t see the provision.

We don’t know where the breakthrough will come from.

But while we’re walking in faith and obedience, God is already moving behind the scenes.

Hebrews 11:6 reminds us:

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Faith doesn’t mean we have all the answers.

Faith means we trust the One who does.

So to every mom, dad, parent, guardian, or provider who is quietly worrying about school expenses, household bills, and making ends meet—God sees you.

He sees the receipts.

He sees the budget spreadsheet.

He sees the sleepless nights.

He sees the worries you don’t even tell anyone about.

And more importantly, He knows the need before you even know you need it.

Just like Abraham, choose faith.

Walk in obedience.

Trust God even when you cannot see how everything will work out.

Ask Him wholeheartedly in prayer.

Seek Him diligently.

Hold on tightly to His promises.

Believe His Word more than your circumstances.

I am not writing this to simply make anyone feel better.

I am writing this to remind you of a truth that has sustained countless believers through countless seasons:

God sees your need, and He is willing to help those who seek Him, trust Him, and obey Him.

Perhaps you’ve been in a season where bills keep overlapping and due dates keep chasing you.

Maybe you’ve grown tired of wondering where the next provision will come from.

But today, I encourage you to declare God’s promises over your life.

Declare that the season of constant lack is ending.

Declare that God’s favor surrounds you.

Declare that His goodness and mercy are pursuing you.

As Psalm 23:6 says:

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

Our God is able.

He owns everything.

The cattle on a thousand hills belong to Him.

The silver and gold are His.

Nothing is impossible for Him.

And if He can provide a ram on Mount Moriah, manna in the wilderness, and daily bread for His people throughout generations, He can certainly provide for your family today.

As another school year begins, may we send our children to school not only with new supplies and fresh uniforms, but also with hearts full of faith.

The same God who carried us through last year will carry us through this one.

The same God who provided yesterday will provide again tomorrow.

So take courage.

Keep praying.

Keep trusting.

Keep obeying.

Because even if you cannot see it yet, God’s provision is already making its way up the mountain.

And when the right moment comes, you will discover that He was there all along—faithful, generous, and more than enough.

After all, our story has never been about the size of our need.

It has always been about the greatness of our God.