Don’t forget these spiritual school supplies

The back-to-school season is in full swing, and you have plenty to do already. You have to find snacks that are compatible with allergy restrictions. There’s reading homework, spelling homework, math homework, sports practice, deadlines, tutoring, a bake sale, a pep rally … No pressure, right?

Sure, these things are important. But there are some vital supplies you won’t find on a school supply list: The Armor of God.

Let’s think about armor for a second. What is its function? It protects you in battle. It prepares you for whatever the enemy lobs at you, and it equips you to strike back. Ephesians 6:10-18 outlines the importance of having this spiritual armor. Your kids will face battles every day, and not just the dreaded biology pop quiz. Kids these days face bullying, ungodly social pressures, brokenness, sin, and exposure to concepts far beyond their spiritual and emotional maturity. Equipping your children with the full Armor of God, mama, protects them in ways that you can’t.

Equip your babies of all ages, from preschool age to college and beyond, with the Belt of Truth. Speak the truth in love to them and over them. Teach them the truth about how God loves them, how they were created for a purpose, beautifully and wonderfully made in His image.

Help tighten the straps on the Breastplate of Righteousness. The breastplate guards their heart, right? Teach your children the importance of living in accordance with God’s Word. Teach them to hide the Word of God in their hearts, so they don’t depart from it when the pressure is on.

And when it seems too much to bear, buckle their Shoes of Peace. This sweet, sweet peace comes from knowing that the Lord our God leads their steps, directs their paths and blesses every step in the peace of knowing the gospel — that Christ died for us, erased our sin, and opened the line of communication uninhibited to the ultimate General and Fighter of our battles.

The final pieces of the armor are the Helmet of Salvation, the Shield of Faith, and the Sword of the Spirit. The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, strikes the enemy and cuts away obstacles. A sword can strike, sure, but a sword also is a tool that can be used to cut away the thorns that obstruct a warrior’s path.

Shields and helmets are designed to absorb the blows that would be fatal, the ones aimed at the most vital organs, right? So the Shield of Faith and the Helmet of Salvation protect your babies by covering their heads and getting out ahead of any offensive strikes. The Shield of Faith needs to be out front, on display, held steady to absorb the blow so the counterdefense can swing that sword. The Helmet of Salvation solidifies that your little warrior knows WHO they are because of WHOSE they are. They know they were bought with a price at the highest ransom. They belong to the Lord, and the Lord fights their battles.

So how do you equip these small, innocent, naive soldiers with this armor?

Teach them the Word of God. Live it out in front of them. Pray, pray, pray. Teach them why it is important to protect their hearts and minds, even if it means distancing themselves from a group or activity. And like any army, big or small, have backup. Surround them with positive influences in a refuge of worship, and be on the front lines with them.

By equipping your kiddos with the Armor of God, you’re equipping them with the ability to fight any battles that come their way — at school and beyond. Y

Courtney and her husband, Jeremy, live in Brandon and are members at Park Place Baptist Church in Pearl. They have a daughter, Taylor, and a son, Jacob. Courtney is a full-time homemaker and can be reached at courtneyingle89@gmail.com.

How to prevent pickleball injuries

Did you know that pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America? If you have any doubt about that, I’d encourage you to show up to any local court in the evening. You will find it full of kids and adults having a blast every night of the week!

The sport is a cross between ping pong, badminton and tennis. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, the number of people playing pickleball grew by 159 percent over three years, to 8.9 million in 2022. Pickleball is gaining popularity because it’s easy to play, low impact, and appeals to a wide range of people, from young children to senior citizens.

You might gravitate to pickleball because it takes less of a toll on your body than sports like tennis. Pickleball is a safe sport and an excellent way to stay active. But as with any sport, there are a few common injuries you need to watch out for.

“Preparation is key in preventing pickleball injuries,” said Dr. Chad Hosemann, orthopedic surgeon at Capital Ortho. “Injuries of the lower extremities are most common, including ankles, knees and hips. Constant twisting and bending motions can aggravate low back issues. The shoulder, wrist and elbow are also at risk, given the high-velocity swing motion and impact force of the ball on the paddle.”

“Specifically, some of the more common injuries we see among picklers include tendonitis, fractures, sprains and tears. The reasons for injury typically include overuse of a particular body part, improper technique, improper equipment, or lack of a proper warmup.”

“Being aware of these potential injuries and preparing well to stay healthy is the best approach,” said Hosemann. “Always take a little time to stretch and warm up your muscles before playing, especially the calf muscles, hamstrings, quads, and shoulder muscles.

“Also, make sure that your gear isn’t putting you at risk. Proper footwear and the right paddles can make all the difference between an exciting game of pickleball and ankle or elbow injuries.” Don’t let the threat of these potential injuries rain on your pickleball parade! However, if you’re in pain during or after a game, it might be time to seek medical attention. The sooner you get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, the sooner you can get back to the courts! Y

Capital Ortho’s team of 11 highly skilled and compassionate orthopedic surgeons are committed to helping you find ways to move better and live better! With locations in Flowood, Madison, Clinton, Kosciusko, Brookhaven and Hazlehurst, there is a Capital Ortho nearby and ready to serve you. Walk-ins are always welcome at our Flowood and Clinton clinic locations. For more info, visit capitalortho.com, follow Capital Ortho on social media, or call 601-987-8200.

Goodwill Industries of Mississippi

Salutes Metro Jackson’s Outstanding Volunteers

Goodwill Industries of Mississippi cordially invites you to attend an exclusive dinner honoring this year’s outstanding volunteers.

Thursday, August 17, 2023

The Country Club of Jackson

Jackson, Mississippi

• Reception: 6:30 pm

• Dinner: 7:15 pm

• Presentation of Honorees: 8:00 pm

For reservations or more information, please call 601-953-2569.

This year’s slate of honorees is a testament to the generosity of which the human spirit is capable. They have given freely of their time and talents so that those less fortunate among us may find their true potential. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us as we honor metro Jackson’s outstanding volunteers on August 17, 2023.