Now again the time has come

When school doors open wide,

And kindergart’ners look with awe —

Wondering what’s inside?

Of course, they want to feel grown-up,

Accepted by their peers —

But deep inside they often quake

With certain nameless fears.

Those who’ve been to school before

Return with feelings mixed;

The freedom of the summer’s gone,

Their schedules now are fixed.

Yet eagerly they come to learn;

They thirst for knowledge true.

They feel the need for Christian friends,

And competition, too.

The older students wander in

Pretending “school’s a drag!”

Pseudo-sophistication reigns

And purposes are vague.

Yet, yearning for learning awakens here;

They’re channelled to find their niche,

And their minds expand, they grow in grace

As they ponder their heritage rich.

And then the college crowd again

Take up their studies, too;

Preparing for their lifetime work

They try to keep in view

The goals they’re striving to attain

That they may take their place

With the employment of their skills

And all that they must face.

Where’er you are as new terms start

We pray you’ll have this goal:

That you will diligently seek

The welfare of your soul.

Your parents, friends, and teachers know

While through your work you plod,

Their hope for you is based on this:

To be approved of God.

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

II Timothy 2:15.