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Our Campus Counselor, Mr. Pattison, shared a tearful testimony at a recent JH/HS chapel. He and his wife detailed how, early in their marriage, God put the desire in their heart to someday have children. But after a decade of difficult waiting, they realized that having their own biological children was extremely unlikely. They shared how their experiences included a range of difficult emotions and questions for God about this setback.
“Why did God put such a strong desire in our hearts only to not fulfill it?” “Would God be willing to remove this desire to make our heartbreak less?” “What does God expect us to do in our circumstances?” During December, we are focusing on the fruit of patience. Practicing patience was so necessary for Mr. Pattision and his wife as they grew in their trust in God as they waited for His answers. Godly patience does not always result in what we want but in what God wants. Wow! That is a much deeper definition of patience. God led Mr. Pattison and his wife to pursue becoming foster parents. Now, after several placements in their home, God is beginning to reveal His purpose for their God-given desire. They also shared in chapel the journey of choosing not to become bitter toward others who can experience the joy of beginning their own biological family. Rather, they have learned to rejoice with others who have their God-given desires fulfilled in His timing. They have developed contentment and confidence in God’s sovereignty and goodness in all situations, including theirs. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this season, may we also celebrate His fruit of the Spirit living inside of each of us. "How might we develop Godly patience in our children eagerly waiting for Christmas morning?" "How can we teach them contentment in the midst of disappointment?" "How can we encourage celebration rather than jealousy of other’s gifts?" "How can we model and testify to God’s goodness and provision while trusting Him patiently?" In many circumstances, God’s plans and timing will be different than ours. At times the waiting may feel confusing or disappointing. May we all embrace the deeper definition of patience. May we choose to trust God not only in the waiting but also in His divine purposes. How blessed are we that God is always on time with being patient with us! “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:19-2 One of my favorite responsibilities is meeting with prospective families and sharing our school culture with them. This month, dozens of new families have graced our hallways, exploring what Crosshill is all about. We love to showcase God’s wonderful provision for our campus. Nothing is better than introducing families to our phenomenal teachers who spend so many hours daily with our students.
Most guests are interested in our school due to the recommendations of our current families. This always makes our job easier. Our current families have the most accurate picture of the fulfillment and ongoing development of meeting our mission of training disciples. While we certainly love talking about our school, we know that your testimony is the true reflection of the Crosshill experience. At the heart of our culture is the shared partnership between school and parents. This partnership is built on a clear alignment toward a defined design for education. Through hundreds of hours on campus, students investigate God’s perfect design for His creation, though corrupted by sin. They establish a healthy identity as direct image-bearers of His nature. They understand the consequences of sin and the beautiful redemption found in Jesus Christ. The faith they see in their parents handed down to them in the home, grows into an authentic faith that they own and choose to take with them wherever they go. I am often reminded of Paul’s admonition: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). While the fog, darkness, and busyness of this season can often be tiring, the promise of a harvest in God’s timing is a promise worth investing in! I can still remember my first time dialing 9-1-1 for a medical emergency. My 2-year-old daughter was going into anaphylactic shock. My wife and I quickly understood that the situation required immediate professional intervention. Brooklyn’s small body was covered with hives. Her lips were swollen, and she was doing something weird with her throat and mouth. As the sirens drew closer, I remember rushing into the street to wave down the paramedics who might miss our hole-in-the-wall house location.
In full panic mode as young parents, the experienced EMTs quickly and calmly assessed the situation. They administered a dose of epinephrine to rapidly reduce our daughter’s allergic reaction. An ambulance ride later and after several hours of observation, our panic eventually retreated into a more sedated state of concern. We were grateful for God’s provision as He began to teach these young parents so many valuable lessons. During the month of December at CCS, we are focusing on “patience” as part of our year-long Fruit of the Spirit theme. The more literal translation of the Greek word “makrothumia” is longsuffering. Embracing and demonstrating patience often comes at a beneficial cost…suffering, sometimes for brief periods of time, sometimes for an extended duration. My daughter was eventually diagnosed with a vast assortment of potentially dangerous food allergies. This reality imposed a lifestyle change for our family. No eating out. Limited processed foods. Reading every ingredient thoroughly. Basically a forced regimen for healthy nutrition! Initially, we felt like we were suffering. Who doesn’t love fast food! But as God continued to develop maturity in each of us, we began to trust what God was up to in our lives. He was teaching us patience. Sometimes patience for a moment. Sometimes patience with no end in sight. Along with patience, the circumstances gave us an opportunity to grow our trust in God. We were each challenged to become less selfish. To become more compassionate toward others. To try to be grateful in all circumstances. My daughter has grown into a strong healthy adult my wife and I are very proud of. The challenges of her food allergies now seem fairly insignificant in comparison to other challenges we and others have faced. But of great significance is how God chooses to work through all challenges for His good, especially when we let Him. At the heart of patience is an authentic trust that God is in control and that He is eager to use all things for His good purpose. Oftentimes, God allows circumstances that require practicing patience to bring about His good plans, often with unseen benefits! |
Adam Kronberger
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