Yesterday morning, I attended three different chapel services at school. I normally go to two…the lower and upper elementary. Brandon was speaking at jr. high/high school chapel, though, so I made it to hear the last part of his. Each of the messages was unique and powerful.
Mama Kuss talked to Pre-K through 3rd grade (and staff and parents) about the choices we make. She shared about King Josiah and how he became king when he was only 8 years old. I am so thankful that both of my boys were in there for this message, and I am equally grateful that I get to benefit from the encouragement and conviction of hearing the Word of God often, through many different people who are wiser than me.
Mrs. Bevly's 4th grade class shared the message of salvation, redemption and forgiveness based on Isaiah 53:5.
The presentation of this incredible truth was done through these amazing students memorizing scripture, dwelling on their own sins and weaknesses and also on Jesus's sacrifice for our reconciliation to the Father. They made signs with these sins (we ALL struggle with) written on them and symbolically placed them on one of the students representing Jesus. Then, that student placed the signs back onto each student which now read Forgiven.
I left the sweet time of worship and immediately walked over to catch the rest of Brandon's talk. The things he was saying were so good. He was giving the students questions to consider and encouraging them to do some soul searching. He presented the Gospel and openly acknowledged that it's a real possibility that there are people in our school who have not given their lives to Christ. Yes, in a Christian school, not everyone is a Christian. He shared personal examples of having been exactly where some of them are right now. It was powerful. For me, even more powerful than the content of what he was saying was the experience of getting to watch my husband in his element. He stands in front of his class every day and teaches them passionately about the love of Christ. He coaches his basketball team and pours out his heart and energy and strength, trying to help them understand the value of hard work, being a team, growing in their God-given abilities and most of all how to be disciples of Christ. He speaks at chapel, and he teaches a theology class at church. Most of the time, I don't get to see it. When we first met, Brandon was a pastor and for the first 5 years of our marriage, I got to hear him preach almost every week. I am so blessed and thankful to see with my own eyes and to KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is in the center of his calling. He struggles through a full and busy schedule with a heavy burden for the students he cares about so much. He sometimes goes days without seeing his own children. He makes sacrifices, and so do we as his family. When I stood at the back of the room and saw those students engaged and being impacted by the message God had given Brandon to share, tears came to my eyes. It is worth it. Christ, His glory and the Gospel going forth is worth all we have to give.
Yesterday afternoon, Calving brought home his piece to memorize for the speech meet: Isaiah 43:10-13. It's not short, but he isn't scared. He wanted a copy in his room, in the kitchen, in the living room and in the car. We are memorizing it together, and I'm pretty sure I'm more intimidated than he is. At first he didn't want to get started, but I talked to him about his daddy speaking in chapel and what a gift God has given him. I told him that it's important to practice and learn how to stand up in front of people and share the Word of God, and God will bless that and use him someday the same way that he uses daddy now. After that, Calving was ready to roll!
This morning, I was reading my bible. Luke climbed into my lap and wanted to know if I was reading Esther. I said I was reading Exodus. He snuggled in and sat quietly. Then, he asked me if I was reading why wasn't I talking? I forget he's not a reader yet, so he doesn't understand that we can read silently, in our minds. Next I was reading Luke 18, and I asked him if he wanted me to read it out loud. Since it was from the book of Luke, he said yes. I still had Job and 2 Corinthians on my checklist, but he asked me to read him some of Esther. So I did. Planting seeds of scripture into the hearts of my children will always take precedence over completing my checklist…even my bible reading checklist.
I don't share these things in order to puff myself up or think any of this is anything that I have done. It is ONLY by the grace of God that we have the privilege of learning from Him through His Word. I am unworthy but He is love. I share this because I have not consistently read the Word of God purposefully in this way until recently, and it is truly life-changing. If I can encourage anyone to try it, that is what I want to do. I will even read it with you!
God is so good to bless me with His Word and with all the many ways I get to hear it every day. I never want to take it for granted. When I am faithful to start my day this way, He uses it. He gives me verses to share with clients who need hope, with friends who need encouragement and He encourages my heart and fills me up sometimes to the point of feeling like I will burst. It is transforming, alive, a weapon against evil and a comfort to my Spirit.
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