1. See every day as an opportunity to love others.  It is the only thing that transforms and heals.
2. Live every day as a child of God.  Knowing I belong to God frees me to pour out grace on others.
3. Live every day in service to others in the Name of Jesus Christ.  It just might be a year of washing feet!

Searching for Elves

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, our home is full of excitement.  Our three children know that Christmas is near and with that comes lots of planning, shopping, and of course, elves.  Certainly we are waiting on Santa, the big elf, but we also have three other elves that visit our home each Christmas season:  Fisbee, Green Jeans, and Pinky.  These elves (from Elf on the Shelf) are part of our family Christmas tradition.  Each morning, the kids race to see who can find the elves first.  Usually, these mischievous creatures have gotten themselves into some sort of trouble overnight and need to be rescued or at least ridiculed for their behavior.  Now, I realize that searching for elves may seem a little overboard to some, but for us, it brings a small amount of joy into our day simply because it provides a time for our children to share in something together with lots of giggles before school.

Similarly, the Bible tells us the wise men searched for the baby Jesus after hearing of his birth.  These wise men were certainly not searching for elves, but they were searching for something that must have seemed even more extraordinary.  Luke 2:2 says these men asked “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”  These men were guided to Jerusalem by following a star and were on a quest to find out what all the fuss was about.  It must have been an exciting adventure for them.  It must have been even more exciting to find the Christ child when the star led them directly to the Savior!

The wise men recognized that the birth of Jesus was worth investigating.  Just like these men, we are all on a journey.  We all seek to find something bigger and something more meaningful during this special Christmas season.  I wonder what Christmas would look like if we all eagerly searched for Jesus like the wise men did?  Would our focus change from gifts and entertainment to worship?

In the midst of the craziness that comes with shopping, cooking, and gift-wrapping, we need to take the time to recognize the value in worshipping the Christ child.  He wasn’t just a baby in a manger.  He was and is a Savior born for you and me.  God himself, swaddled in cloths and surrounded by dirty, stinky animals.  The God that created everything- -the earth, the stars, the trees, the animals, our families, and our children--came in the most humbled, radical way.  

God chose an extraordinary way to enter this world.  Won’t you choose an extraordinary way to honor Him this Christmas?

"Dear Lord, we thank you for this Christmas season.  We thank you for humbling yourself, leaving your glorious home in heaven, and coming in a manger.  Help us to honor you in extraordinary ways this Christmas.  Show us how to spread your love with neighbors, relatives, and others who need to hear your incredible story.  We know that there are so many who are searching for more.  We know that there are so many who need to hear how radical you are.  Show us how to love them with a radical love.  Let us be their guiding star to you.   Amen."

Amy Browning is the mother of three St. Paul’s Saints.  Harris is in PK, and Matthew and Macy are 2nd Graders.  Amy is also a substitute at St. Paul’s as well as the wife of Scott Browning, Class of 1991.

“Running on the Right Fuel”

Joy

Make a list of all those “things” that bring you great joy.  Your list might be long and include such things as a beautiful sunset, a new car, a few pieces of heirloom jewelry, a house at the beach.  It might include a friend, a newborn baby, or well-earned accomplishments.

The dictionary defines joy as a deep feeling or condition of happiness or contentment.  When I think of “joy” I think of how my heart pounds or how my stomach flutters.  The joy we feel because of these things that we see or possess can be short lived mainly because they are not biblical joy.

Biblical joy is looking beyond ourselves and our own cares.  Joy comes to us through the Holy Spirit.  It is the sum of our relationship with God and doing all that he has commanded.  It is the way we forget our desire for material things and self.  It is being aware of others and their needs.

To serve God and fellow man gives us a blessing that goes on forever.  There are many opportunities each day to forget self and do for others - a kind word to a classmate or colleague; a thoughtful deed for a friend or teacher; community service for the homeless and needy; prayers for family and friends.   

To do these acts of kindness brings lasting joy to our Father above.  This kind of “joy” is not the emotion, but a quality. It’s not about what we have but what we do. The word of the Lord says, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”  Matthew 25:21.  

The Apple Gatherer

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly-missed boarding... ALL BUT ONE!!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.

He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, asked one of them to call his wife when they arrived home to explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor. He was glad he did.

The 16-year-old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time, helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her; no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket. When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?" He stopped in mid-stride and wondered how to respond. He gently replied, "No, I am nothing like Jesus - He is good, kind, caring, loving, and would never have bumped into your display in the first place."

The girl knowingly nodded: "I only asked because I prayed for Jesus to help me gather the apples. He sent you to help me, so you are like Him - only He knows who will do His will. Thank you for hearing His call, Mister."

The businessman slowly made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?"  

Do people mistake you for Jesus?

That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace. If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day after day.

You are the apple of His eye even though you, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked up you and me on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.

This month’s devotion is written by Alicia Howes, St. Paul’s parent of Jackson and Wilkes Howes.

“The Apple Gatherer” is an anonymous story.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14

Embracing 2012 – 2013: Let them come!

I suspect parents, students, teachers, administrators and school staff experience every emotion on the  continuum when thinking about the close of summer and the start of another school year.  While some students are excited about returning to routine and activities, many grieve the passing of the last lazy days.  Some parents jump for joy about the start of school while others lament over the arrival of the frenetic pace of school life.  Wherever you may fall on the spectrum, one thing is sure: it’s here!

As we begin a new year, Christ’s words from Matthew 19 resound in my head and heart.  In a few brief days the “little children” will be flooding each campus.  Christ reminds us of two things – that these students are highly esteemed by Him and that it is our privilege as the faculty and staff of St. Paul’s Episcopal School to receive them.  For the next 9 months, we will be in the business of teaching, training, serving, guiding, molding and not hindering those that belong to the kingdom of heaven!   It is the high calling and a noble challenge that every staff member has accepted.

This year I pray that you will discover your children are truly welcomed and loved in the name of Jesus Christ.  I also pray that Christ’s presence in our midst will allow your students to fully live, fully learn, and fully grow into the potential God desires for each individual.  We, as a school community, stand on the verge of a new year eagerly waiting to see all that the Lord has in store.  Let us embrace 2012 – 2013 with enthusiasm, with prayer, with expectation, but mostly with joy!

Humbly,
Molly Broders

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.”  I Peter 3:8

There’s nothing like seeing a Scripture lived out in the life of a six-year-old.  I’m not sure why it’s such a powerful message, but I saw something in a T-ball dugout yesterday that I’m not likely to forget.  

My five year old son, Hampton, is playing T-ball for the first time this year.  It has been a wonderful experience in which we, his parents, have seen him grow and learn so much.  The lessons continued yesterday when he was called out two different times by the umpire for slinging his bat.  As he walked to the dugout the first time, we could see the tears beginning to stream down his face.  He was devastated.  

As the “dugout mom,” I then had the privilege to watch the greatest lesson being taught.  Hampton sorrowfully returned to his place on the bench when an older, more experienced player (a six-year-old) crouched down in front of him.  For the next five minutes, I listened from a distance as sympathetic, compassionate words flowed from this six-year-old.  He explained how many times he had gotten out for slinging his bat, he reassured my son that things would be all right, and he encouraged him that the next chance to bat would be different.  This young man did not leave Hampton’s side until the tears had ceased and composure was restored.  If ever I needed a visual for what it means to be sympathetic, compassionate, humble, and love as a brother, this child illustrated it for me.  

Over dinner that night, we discussed the kindness that had been shown, hoping to “hit home” the lesson we so poignantly learned in the dugout.  It is our hope that our children will understand that even in small ways and in everyday situations, we all have opportunities to live out the commands given to us in Scripture.  

As the academic year fades into summer, I Peter 3:8 is my prayer for our school community.  May we learn and apply the call of Scripture to let humility, love, sympathy, and compassion be the trademarks of our lives and every relationship forged at St. Paul’s.  I also pray that your summer will be full of surprising and powerful lessons.  I challenge you to keep your heart and mind open. You’ll be amazed by what you can learn in the most unexpected places from the most unassuming teachers.

Blessings,
Molly Broders

²⁸ Do you not know?
   Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
   and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint.

I love this passage in Isaiah 40.  Its original audience was for the Israelites in the midst of the Babylonian Captivity.  They found themselves in a difficult circumstance, and they had forgotten their God.  They mistakenly thought their plight had been disregarded by the Lord.  So often we fall into the same trap, but Isaiah reminds them and us of the truth of who our God truly is, “Do you not know? Have you not heard?  The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary and His understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

When I am tempted to be afraid, stressed, dismayed or overwhelmed, I have to ask myself, “Do I not know? Have I not heard?”  There is nothing that we face, no burden that we carry, no hurt that we bear that the Lord cannot handle.  In my life, I want to replace the anxiety, worry, and doubt with total trust in the God who holds the waters of the earth in the hollow of His hand.  I want to place all my hope and all my confidence in the one brings out the starry host one by one and calls them by name.  I want to be like the heavens who day after day pour forth speech about the glory of God. 

In light of these truths, we need not fret, fear, or worry.   When the storms of life threaten and it appears that the waters will overtake us,  we have the opportunity to live like we do know and have heard.  May we hope in the Lord and see how He will make us soar!

Molly Broders

"Fear Not."

I am a 'fraidy cat.  I always have been.  I remember as a child having a book with that name.  Even at a young age, I could relate with that frightened feline.

As an adult, it has gotten worse.  I find myself worrying about everything from my kids not focusing at school, to the economy, to the spot my Dad had removed today.  God is working on me.

In a Bible study I started recently, it suggested that a true relationship with God begins with fear.  Now that is definitely something I can relate to, but I have never really focused on it when thinking of my relationship with God.  'Father', yes, 'Savior', definitely, but not 'Fear-inducing One'.

And yet, in Revelations, when John is confronted by God, he 'falls on his face as if dead'.  This presents a totally different picture of the One that I am trying to follow more and more daily.  However, upon thinking of God: all powerful, all knowing, everywhere, is it not natural that our first reaction might be fear?

But all we have to do is read on.  What is God's reaction to John's fear?  What does this all-perfect, grace-giving Creator of everything say to this imperfect, sinful human John?

Now I have to tell you: this is nothing short of amazing to me, tear-inducing even.  The fact that the Savior of the world loved John enough to comfort him after recognizing John's need is nothing short of astounding.  And yet, what is even more awe-inspiring is that God does the same thing for me.

Isaiah 41:10 reads 'Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.'

What that tells me is that not only do I have no need to fear, but that doing so belittles what He offers me.  And what He offers me is perfect hope, perfect peace, and perfect love. And THAT provides complete comfort to this 'fraidy cat even in the midst of the most uncomfortable situations.

Tara Barber

Tara Drinkard Barber (1992) is a St. Paul’s alum and parent of two little Saints.  Her twin sons Mack and Harris Barber are in the first grade.

A Field Which Thou Has Blessed

Over the past few months a small group of parents have begun to gather on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. to pray for our school including its students, parents, staff and community. One day in the middle of our prayer time a familiar phrase hit me in a new way, “And may this school be as a field which Thou has blessed so all that is true, lovely and of good report may grow here.”  If this line sounds familiar it’s because it is taken from our frequently recited school prayer. As a student 20 years ago, I prayed this phrase by memory almost daily, but I’m not sure I ever stopped to think about the meaning of such a plea.

Just what are we asking of God when we beseech Him to make our school as a field that He has blessed? In the middle of prayer on that particular Tuesday, I envisioned a lush, green vineyard with rows and rows of grapes flourishing under the perfect care and growing conditions.  It dawned on me in those moments that when we pray this prayer, we are asking our heavenly Father to do something miraculous in our school.  With expectant hope, we verbalize our desire to see His hand prosper our school in a way that will make Him known, glorify the name of Christ, and impact the world for good.

The words of Jesus in John 15 remind me, however, that we have a role to play in prospering the field as well.  Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”  (John 15:1, 4) Christ makes it clear that as we draw near to Him in prayer, in worship, in study of His word, and in obeying His commands, then we are equipped and enabled to bear fruit.  Without Him, we are unable to be the abundant field the world so desperately needs.

I hope that as we pray this prayer in the future, it will have new meaning.  May we ask the gardener to bless our school as we abide in Him.

To see the full school prayer, please click on the link, “School Prayers.”

I Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on Him [Jesus] because he cares for you.

I have an iron-work cross that hangs in the closet under my stairs.  It resides there because it didn’t quite fit the space for which it was bought.  Over the years, its scrolls have served as hooks when the usual wall storage reached capacity; from backpacks to lunch boxes to Bible study bags, you hardly notice the cross anymore.

One morning, I went into the closet to retrieve lunch boxes from where they hung on one of the scrolls.  I do this everyday when I pack lunches for my children but for some reason, on this particular morning, I stopped in my tracks.  As I looked at all the things hanging there on the cross, I Peter 5:7 immediately ran across my mind, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”  For just a moment, this verse seemed clearly illustrated before me: the cross representing Christ and the myriad of bags, my anxieties.  There they hung on the cross, and I was free to close the door to my closet and leave them there.  It was an illustration I will not soon forget.

I guess the reality of life is that we all have worries, anxieties, and things in our lives that eat at our core.  Whether you’re a parent or student, teacher or administrator, life is not without its troubles.  The great news and the truth of this verse is that when we face circumstances that tempt us to be anxious or fearful, we are not alone.  Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.”  When we face trials, we can cast our anxieties on Christ through prayer.  Why can we do this?  Because we have a God and Savior that cares for us!

Molly Broders