As I greeted our students this frosty
winter morning, I couldn’t help but smile at their layers. The smaller they
are, the more bundled up as their parents attempt to keep winter’s chill out. Some
are so bundled up that we don’t know who we have at school until they start to
peel off their “cold armour.” Coats, snow pants, gloves, mitts, scarves, balaclava,
boots, and more protect their skin and keep them warm against the frosty
chill.
Some of our students, perhaps out of a
desire to get outside quicker or frustration at the effort it takes to put it
all on, decide not to wear key pieces of this “cold armour.” After some minutes
outside they realize they made a mistake in their haste and it has consequences.
Perhaps this is a helpful metaphor for
growing in faith and wisdom through the elementary school years. Armed with
truth, faith, peace, righteousness, salvation, and the Spirit, our students are
being prepared to take on the challenges of learning and living by faith. Much
like the tedious process of putting on winter gear, it takes time and
discipline to be prepared. It is also true, however, that time and discipline invested
equip them to be ready for whatever the Lord calls our students to do today,
and in their future.
In between zipping up stubborn zippers and
locating stray mittens, LCES staff are at work as a faithful presence for our
students. They shine the light on truth, nourish faith, value peace, demonstrate
righteousness, and listen for the Spirit’s prompting. We pray that our
children’s amour of God will be an intricate part of their way to love and
serve the Lord forever, whatever the temperature.
SJ
No comments:
Post a Comment