Monday of last week was a day of roller coaster emotions. It began very early in the morning when I received a phone call from an employee informing me of vandalism that had been perpetrated on the outside of the building over the weekend. Although I was disturbed by this news, I was in no way prepared for the gut wrenching disgust I would experience as I pulled in the driveway and saw the vile words and repulsive pictures spray painted on about three quarters of the outside walls, windows, and doors of our beautiful building.
I was on the phone with my husband as I caught the first glimpse and the obvious change in my voice alerted him to the serious nature of the vandalism without me even telling him what was written. He immediately hung up and called our church where he knew a crew of people were preparing breakfast for the Parkview High School teachers who were coming back to work that day. They promptly committed to collecting the necessary equipment and supplies to clean it off and within an hour were at the school scraping, scrubbing, and power washing in what was later to become an extremely hot day.
Teachers, administrators, and parents jumped in and covered the worst of the words and pictures with paper before the children got to school so they did not have to be exposed to it. Several whole families pitched in, got paint and supplies, and spent the day repainting places that couldn't be scrubbed off. By 6:00 that evening, every trace of this blaspheme was erased.
As I reflect on that stressful day, I am able to see Romans 8:28 come to life. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." While getting students out of the cars that morning, I was told by several of them that they were going to pray for whoever had done it. I was told by the employee who discovered it that a high school student was the one who alerted her and he was deeply affected by this act. I was told by teachers of conversations they overheard among students who were disgusted and disturbed by this event. I was told about discussions that went on in classes that indicated attitudes and feelings of righteous anger as well as a new pride in their school.
The lessons learned from this experience cannot be taken from a book. No Bible lesson we could have planned could have made as big an impact as seeing first hand what a life separated from God will cause you to do and say. No chapel service could have inspired as much unity. No lecture could have caused as much grief. Thank you Jesus for taking something intended to be so hurtful and turning it into something so glorifying!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
"Peace I leave with you..."
About the last word I would use to describe the first day of school is peaceful but that's exactly what I have chosen to address in this, my first blog of the official beginning of school. Here's a peek into what went on that first day...
There were teachers going over last minute preparations one more time; parents turning in forms, checks, orders, and medication to the office; children bounding ahead of parents as they headed to their classrooms; children experiencing new class anxiety clinging to their parents; old friends greeting old friends and new friends meeting soon-to-be old friends; cameras flashing; a few teary faces, some from students but most from parents.
Surprisingly though, after experiencing this organized chaos for about 30 minutes, there was a hush that settled over the building as parents made their way back to the parking lot and teachers began to establish routines. As I stepped in to each class to make sure all was well, there was definitely a peace that came over me. Everyone was in their places, things were running smoothly, and children were busily accomplishing whatever task they had been given. This was right, this was good, this was school. And all was well with my soul.
The word peace is mentioned 247 times in the Bible which makes me think that God knew that obtaining this sometimes elusive state of being would be difficult for us humans to accomplish. Verse after verse tells us how important it is for us to seek a peaceful lifestyle. One that I ran across during a recent Bible study is Hebrews 12:14: "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." In these few words, we are called to pursue peace, not just sit around and wait for it to happen. And if we don't, we will not see the Lord. Ouch!
So how do we pursue peace? Matthew Henry says that "pride and passion break the peace. Humility and meekness restore peace." He goes on to state that "the bond of peace is the strength of society." Pretty strong words, huh? But think about it...what causes most conflicts in the world and in our lives? Lack of peaceful relationships. What can restore peace? Someone practicing humility and meekness no matter the wrong or injustice. Let's face it, as Christians we are called to be different from everyone else in the world. Jesus himself said it in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Here's my resolution then for this school year; to pursue peace by practicing humility and meekness in my thoughts and my actions. I give you permission to hold me accountable. Won't you join me?
There were teachers going over last minute preparations one more time; parents turning in forms, checks, orders, and medication to the office; children bounding ahead of parents as they headed to their classrooms; children experiencing new class anxiety clinging to their parents; old friends greeting old friends and new friends meeting soon-to-be old friends; cameras flashing; a few teary faces, some from students but most from parents.
Surprisingly though, after experiencing this organized chaos for about 30 minutes, there was a hush that settled over the building as parents made their way back to the parking lot and teachers began to establish routines. As I stepped in to each class to make sure all was well, there was definitely a peace that came over me. Everyone was in their places, things were running smoothly, and children were busily accomplishing whatever task they had been given. This was right, this was good, this was school. And all was well with my soul.
The word peace is mentioned 247 times in the Bible which makes me think that God knew that obtaining this sometimes elusive state of being would be difficult for us humans to accomplish. Verse after verse tells us how important it is for us to seek a peaceful lifestyle. One that I ran across during a recent Bible study is Hebrews 12:14: "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." In these few words, we are called to pursue peace, not just sit around and wait for it to happen. And if we don't, we will not see the Lord. Ouch!
So how do we pursue peace? Matthew Henry says that "pride and passion break the peace. Humility and meekness restore peace." He goes on to state that "the bond of peace is the strength of society." Pretty strong words, huh? But think about it...what causes most conflicts in the world and in our lives? Lack of peaceful relationships. What can restore peace? Someone practicing humility and meekness no matter the wrong or injustice. Let's face it, as Christians we are called to be different from everyone else in the world. Jesus himself said it in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Here's my resolution then for this school year; to pursue peace by practicing humility and meekness in my thoughts and my actions. I give you permission to hold me accountable. Won't you join me?
Monday, August 9, 2010
New Beginnings
There's something so invigorating about starting something new. Scary, but invigorating nonetheless. The beginning of a new school year is no different. As I contemplate what lies ahead, I get so excited as I think about the growth in the students that we will see, both academically and spiritually. I look forward to chapel services where young voices will sing praises in the purest form of worship and the Spirit of the Lord will be tangible. The prospect of starting fresh and leaving behind the past is bittersweet but exhilarating at the same time.
Unfortunately, there is also a little sense of dread as I realize that no year can be without its trials and difficulties. There will be families who will experience tough times and my heart will ache for them. There will be conflicts and disagreements and my heart will long for peace and healing.
As I as sit here at my computer in the darkness, (it's the wee hours of the morning because I can't sleep due to a hundred things running through my brain!) I am reminded that the Creator of peace, joy, and harmony is but a prayer away. His words can and should be my ever present comfort. 1 Corinthians 15: 57-58 stares at me from an index card taped to my monitor:
"Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."
God does not promise us a life without suffering or pain but He does promise that our "toiling" will not be in vain. I chose to cling to His promises and be steadfast and immovable today. How about you?
Unfortunately, there is also a little sense of dread as I realize that no year can be without its trials and difficulties. There will be families who will experience tough times and my heart will ache for them. There will be conflicts and disagreements and my heart will long for peace and healing.
As I as sit here at my computer in the darkness, (it's the wee hours of the morning because I can't sleep due to a hundred things running through my brain!) I am reminded that the Creator of peace, joy, and harmony is but a prayer away. His words can and should be my ever present comfort. 1 Corinthians 15: 57-58 stares at me from an index card taped to my monitor:
"Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."
God does not promise us a life without suffering or pain but He does promise that our "toiling" will not be in vain. I chose to cling to His promises and be steadfast and immovable today. How about you?
Monday, August 2, 2010
Welcome to my blog!
When I began my career in education, a "blog" was something you might see in a bad horror movie that would come out of the lake to devour everything in its path! Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine the day when I would be able to share my thoughts with hundreds (thousands?) of people with the touch of an "Enter" key. Maybe that's good and maybe that's bad but it definitely is a part of the world we live in now.
I can't guarantee how often I will update this blog but my goal is to share something from my heart on a weekly basis. Right now my heart is racing as I think of all the things that need to get done before we hear the trample of little feet coming down the halls as another school year begins. I love seeing their smiling faces as they climb out of the cars in the mornings and being able to greet each one reminds me daily why God has placed me at New Covenant Academy.
I can't begin to tell you how grateful we are that parents have placed their precious children in our hands to partner with in guiding and directing their lives. My prayer every morning is to be found worthy of that trust. I can't wait to see what this year will hold!
In His Love and Service,
Mrs. Pruett
I can't guarantee how often I will update this blog but my goal is to share something from my heart on a weekly basis. Right now my heart is racing as I think of all the things that need to get done before we hear the trample of little feet coming down the halls as another school year begins. I love seeing their smiling faces as they climb out of the cars in the mornings and being able to greet each one reminds me daily why God has placed me at New Covenant Academy.
I can't begin to tell you how grateful we are that parents have placed their precious children in our hands to partner with in guiding and directing their lives. My prayer every morning is to be found worthy of that trust. I can't wait to see what this year will hold!
In His Love and Service,
Mrs. Pruett
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