And So It Begins

16 Aug

“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.” ~ J.P. Morgan

This is a new school year and everyone is looking ahead. Because of the pandemic, hard choices are being made by many parents and students.  Should they attend school?  Should they be educated remotely?  Should they look for a hybrid of the two?  Should they stay out for one semester or the entire year?  How long will the pandemic last?

As some ask those questions, others — like our school’s administration — are asking another set of questions.  How can we keep our faculty, staff, and students safe?  How can we provide a dynamic learning environment?  How can we help our students live in peace rather than fear?  How can we provide for those who choose to learn remotely?

These are tough questions to ask and even tougher questions to answer.  That is because the data changes by the month, week, and even day.  We will have to do a lot of shifting in order to provide for our students while keeping everyone as safe as we can.  This is not just on us, though. We can do everything possible to keep our students and staff safe; however, they have to be practicing safe practices when they are at home and when they decide to go out so that they do not bring anything into the building and classrooms.

No matter the decision, one thing is clear:  we must move ahead.  To remain in one place causes us to become stagnant and that is not healthy.  While we move ahead this year, we will have to take extra precautions.  But, we need to move.  J.P. Morgan reminded us, “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.”

We are asking many questions about our upcoming school year and making many plans and provisions.  However, moving ahead is more than about school.  We need to apply this to our spiritual lives as well.  If we remain where we are at, if we do not move ahead, our spiritual lives will stagnate and will not be able to provide us with what we need to live as faithful followers of Jesus Christ.

Moving ahead can be frightening.  It can be confusing.  It can leave us with many questions.  But it is the only way in which we can grow.  Do not let fear freeze you in place.  Rather, ask the Lord for the courage that you need to take those first steps toward the future.  Courage is, you know, one of the powerful gifts of the Holy Spirit and is available to all who ask.

We are going to do our best this school year. We are asking as many questions as we can and making many provisional plans.  Please pray for us as we move ahead.

FAITH ACTION:  Ask God for the courage that you need to move ahead in your lives.