"Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands." Psalm 63:3-4
Had something extra or unexpected added to your plate? As we enter the final month of the school year, you know it will happen... over and over again. And it's ok. Here's the point i want to make and for us to remember each day.
"Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve... being examples to the flock." 1 Peter 5:2-3
Although we are in school face-to-face, it is not business as usual. This fact is quite evident during special happenings with a half-empty parking lot. Normally during these times, it would be jam packed with parents' cars, visiting and participating in the activities. This past week Book Fair, Dr. Seuss Day and the Black History Wax Museum all continued, but without the usual cheering and support of parents... at least, home parents, due to visiting restrictions.
YOU all may not realize it, but to these kids you are like famous people! 😊 They have been asking me all week, "Are they coming?, Did you remind them?" . YOU helped make this a very special project. I could use more moments like these to remind me of why I am here. I think the kids felt very "normal," despite covid and all the restrictions.
Be reminded school is not just about reading, writing, arithmetic and test scores, it's also about loving and caring for students emotionally. Students have needs beyond the numbers... needs to be celebrated, noticed and encouraged, needs to know someone is present cheering them on in this crazy-confusing season. And you, my friend, are that important person. Even in the madness of triple-play event days, i see you striving to cover as many needs as possible. While no one can be available for all events, when we work together for the good of our students and do what we can, the end results bring healing and JOY to their soul.
Father, some days are so exhausting and trying. Thank You for encouraging signs and words to keep going. Help us continue supporting each other and exhibiting to God's "lambs" what truly matters... them, all parts of them -- their mind, body and soul.
"we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had..." Romans 15:5
As most of you know, i've changed jobs. This week and next week, i am a bookstore clerk, not a media assistant. The transformation from library to bookstore is magical -- like someone sprinkling Tinkerbell's pixie dust everywhere. I'm ringing up more books on the cash register from the Book Fair than i normally checkout from our shelves... and trust me when i say, "that's a lot of books!"
"But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
The frenzy and craziness of Book Fair, or any other special event, has the power to turn one into a nutty monster....
First graders are preparing to celebrate Dr. Seuss Day this week. Like the cute Hortons in the hallway, i want to possess an unshakeable memory. Most of all, i never want to forget or question what i consider the most important Truth in life.
God's love for us never falters, ends or disappears.
Wherever we are, whatever we have done, however we feel, nothing can separate us from His love.
Be a Horton... and always remember this Truth.
Every year when we receive the Book Fair inventory, i look over the cases and boxes and think, "Really?? Is that all they sent? This is going to be a disappointing event."
But once we start setting up -- opening the cases, unloading the boxes -- we find ourselves needing to spread the treasures out from one end of the Media Center to the other.
