Sometimes a teacher's heart and a mother/father's heart are so similar I think it probably takes some high tech equipment to decipher one from the other. Our children are so loved by every one of you. I appreciated the sensitivity of Sarah's devotional and prayer request on Wednesday. I talked with someone from church for a bit today and just have a few thoughts to share with you along those lines as we go into a beautiful weekend of celebrating mothers!
I believe we are called to another kind of expression of love on this special day as well. If you take a moment to look closely into the eyes of parents this weekend, you may find other stories held quietly inside hearts. Sometimes you have to pause, talk with another for a moment in order to see more there than what meets the eye if you brisk on by. I believe God has placed us in community so that we can be the arms and hands that uphold each other when we see and feel hurt and brokenness in others. We are encouraged to gently reach out to others on this day and allow hearts that are hurting to receive love and acceptance with which, we pray, will grow into moments and twinkling of healing.
Some mothers are surrounded by little blessings! They have beautiful, healthy children and yet they are bone weary and heart weary. They are seeking hope, strength and rest.
Some mothers are blessed with an exceptional mother’s heart. Yet their arms are painfully hollow and empty. They, too, seek hope, strength and rest.
Some mothers have been blessed with a beautiful, strong mother of her own to journey through this life with. But she grieves every day as this role model in her life has been called home to Glory. Joy on this day seems to escape.
So many mothers don’t want to face the emotional journey this day brings because they have a little one, a life they once carried, already home in Glory. This day brings the onslaught of what-ifs and what-could-have-beens in new and painful ways.
So many mothers are journeying the road alone. Every. Day. Dutifully fulfilling the role of sole provider, the sole parent, the sole role model, the sole guider. At times this calling simply must be all too much.
This list goes on, doesn’t it. There are countless variations of stories we each bear. I believe we are called to be the person who notices. Notice the emotions and stories of others. Gently touch the forearm of another or offer a warm, knowing hug. I believe God can stir in powerful, healing ways when we seek to serve by loving others.
So, I’ll borrow words from our friend Rod Brandsen. May you bless and be blessed this weekend. We truly wish each of you a very happy, cup-runneth-over Mothers Day that is marked in compassion, tenderness, careful empathy, gentle joy and love.
We'll talk in greater detail about our new radios at the staff meeting on the 16th, but for now, please be sure to SLIDE the walkie talkie into the slotted charger. That's a little different than just setting them in like we used to with the old fashioned models ;)
Convocation
Is planned for Tuesday, May 14 at 9:00.
Staff Luncheon
Tuesday, May 21! Parent team's treat! Mark your calendars and leave your leftover pizza at home!
Summer Slide Materials
Kim Dykstra has put in so many hours copying and collating books for our children. She is already beginning to put together book packages for our readers! We have TONS of them! If you feel the need to make adjustments to the reading levels you find on the google doc, please let me know first. Things could get really tangly for Kim if we all start making edits. ;)
The slide party will take place at Rose Park on July 31 from 1:00-3:00. All are invited. None are required ;) I'm told Maranda from WOOD TV will be present...probably not for the slide. I think she's interested in the progress of our little readers and teachers who care! That's YOU! :)
Final Chapel
As we have in the past, you may invite your parents to our final chapel which will take place on May 31 from 10:45-11:15.
Delta Screener
We can talk about this a bit tomorrow, but we test up a grade in this final testing session. The Delta window and MAP window opens next week.
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