10,000 Reasons

For this week's Thanksgiving devotion, I thought about writing down 10,000 reasons why I am thankful to God. In one of my previous schools, we each filled out at least 30 leaves that we put on a tree to total 10,000. The tree was huge and we still had a difficult time figuring out where to put the tiny little leaves. It was interesting to see what was put on the tree but it was also difficult to think of things that we thought were not just the usual answers. So, let's think about some of our blessings.

• What a gift it is to live in a country where we can freely serve God and where we can be a part of a Christian school and learn about God and how He reigns over all and how everything is under His supreme control!

• Even though we need rain badly, what a blessing to know that God has a plan and that He will supply us with the rain we need soon.

• To build on that, when the fires have finally subsided and the rains come and the grass and trees start to grow again, they will come back even more beautiful than before. Only our God and Father could make beauty out of ashes.

• Have you seen the amazing sunrises and sunsets lately?

• How amazing is it that we could all walk to our closet, this morning, pick out what we wanted to wear, eat breakfast, and go to work or school?

• Even though they are not perfect, we have each been blessed with a family who loves God and loves us and provides for us.

We are so blessed and yet, so quick to complain because things are not as we want or we are forced to leave our comfort zone and be stretched beyond what we think we can do. I remember praying several years ago about being too comfortable and praying that God would help me get closer to Him. First of all, be careful what you pray because He will hear every prayer and He will definitely act on it. Second, trust that whatever He calls you to do will include the grace, the wisdom, the endurance, and everything you need to do it. Ends up that prayer request meant that we would move from a place we had been for twenty-seven years to a place where we knew no one. It was a rough journey but looking back, it was a time that God had orchestrated for years before and had prepared us to do.

Thanksgiving is a reminder that we should be thankful for all the things that God has given us and all He has brought us through. It is not normal to be thankful for cancer but who knows what an impact one might make on the medical team or even a family member or friend. It is difficult to be thankful when a family member has turned from God but through it all, God brings you closer to Him to ultimately be that Holy example to someone else. Have you ever noticed that even though it is painful to grow in Him, He uses our circumstances to eventually help others? He always has a plan!

So this year, as you sit around the table to bless your food or rummage through the ads to find out where the best sales will be, or watch that football game with your eyes closed, focus now and every day on the blessings and extra blessings that God has given you. Thank Him for the big ones and the small. Thank Him for the past, the present, and what He will do in the future. Thank Him for the promise of a future spent with Him. For those of you who will have that empty chair at the table, thank God that your loved one is enjoying the blessings of life everlasting with the promise that you will be reunited again. What an awesome God we serve!

Praying for safe travels, good memories, time with family and friends, and a rest before the busy-ness of December. Happy Thanksgiving from the the entire BCA Faculty/Staff, and the students. We are thankful for you and for all you have done for us!

Thank You

We are not always good with thanking parents and constituents for doing things for us, but in the spirit of the season, we would like to offer our extreme thanks for so many who do so much for all of us here at BCA from fixing a fence to serving hot apple cider, to setting up our fundraisers, to coaching our students and so many other areas. We could not do this without you but so that no one is left out, we will not be using names. You know who you are and so do we and we appreciate all you do. Thank you so much!

Community Kitchen Can Drive

Our students did an incredible job bringing in canned goods and other items for the Community Kitchen this week. Our middle school student council delivered over 20 boxes of all of the collected goods. Each team did a great job collecting, but Team #4 (4th - 8th grade) was the top collector and will be treated to a popcorn and movie party. Community Kitchen will be blessed with your contributions to them.

Christmas Tree Lighting

Due to time constraints and other factors, we will not be having an outdoor tree lighting this year. We hope you will enjoy the decorations that our PTL will be putting out in the front entryway in early December. 

Homecoming 2017

For the first time in a long while, BCA will be welcoming home our alumni. Stay tuned for details on this event that will be held on Sat., Feb. 18 here at the school. We will need help with names and addresses, memories, activities, food and entertainment to mention a few. If you are interested in being a part of the planning, please call the school office. In the meantime, write this date on your calendars.