Our Children, A Story in the Making

During the Christmas break my wife and I had the opportunity to attend a wedding and celebrate along with family and friends as vows were exchanged. The December night chill was chased away by the warmth of a happy crowd sharing joy and enjoying fellowship in the unique atmosphere of an old barn.
What a joy to be together for such a reason.

I loved the speeches made by the grandparents and parents. In between the family jokes and embarrassing memories, there was such a vibrant story of God at work in the lives of His people, shaping and directing a path that was tangibly felt and clearly observed. Significant life occasions like births, weddings, funerals, and anniversaries have a way of simplifying life with a remarkable clarity that reveals what really matters and where our priorities should be. They are touchstones that can help us to bring importance into the smallest and most mundane aspects of daily life; everything matters as we aim to launch our children toward faithful living and future success.

Both the bride and groom were people I had known and observed as young people in Christian education and family life, though certainly not knowing that they would become husband and wife. As I listened to the recognition of the character traits of this young people as described by their future in-laws, I was struck by the important work of raising children and teaching them the way they should go. The story of who this young couple had become and the content of their character was a project more than 25 years in the making. It was filled with devotion and care in hundreds of conversations, thousands of actions, all pointing in a certain direction and with a clear purpose.

It is our prayer that our words and actions at LCES this year in 2016 will also be aligned in direction and purpose with what you, our parents, are doing as you raise your children in faith. We look forward to being a faithful presence in your family, helping to shape 191 stories that unfold a little further every day.

God-bless us all in this new year. SJ