Greetings to all of our Presentation Families,
The first week of Advent and our first week of Distance Learning is behind us. As we reflect on this week, how many roadblocks did you have to overcome? Did other lines at the grocery store or gas station move more quickly than yours? Did other people’s children navigate through Distance Learning easier than yours?
It’s human nature to notice the small irritations, but this makes it difficult for us to find joy during the Advent season and in our daily lives. It instead keeps us focused on ourselves and on how unfair life can feel rather than the gift of Jesus in our lives.
We don’t have to live that way or teach our children to only focus on things that aren’t going our way. Teaching our children to “rejoice always” even during times of struggle is important. During times like these I am reminded of this passage from the Bible: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!” ~ Philippians 4:4.
In his message, Paul didn’t say to rejoice about our circumstances. Instead, he meant for us to rejoice in the Lord - in His sovereign power, His unwavering goodness, and His unfailing love for us. When, despite all that is going on in our lives, we find in Him reasons to rejoice - and there are plenty if we truly look - we will know His blessings of hope and peace.
We know Distance Learning is hard. It’s hard for everyone...students, parents, teachers and all support staff. We are all making sacrifices and having to do more. Students are missing their friends and being at school. Parents are juggling and struggling with children learning at home. Teachers are up late hours prepping lessons, recording videos and also helping their own families navigate through Distance Learning. In addition, there’s the effect COVID-19 is having on everyone. We have more families in our Presentation community, both students and staff, that either have sick family members or are ill themselves. What is there to rejoice about?
God's love! We see it in the dedication of our teachers and support staff reaching out to help our students be successful. We see it amongst all of you dropping off meals and running errands for those families who are in quarantine or are sick. We see it in our students’ eyes and hear it in their laughter as they see their peers via Zoom or Google Meet. We see God’s love in the notes written, emails sent, phone calls made. We see His love in the photos of students showing their work with big and bright smiles. God is here, His love is all around us.
During this Advent season and more than ever now, we all need to coach and guide ourselves and our children to look for evidence of God’s presence in our lives. Hunt for it like a treasure, and share your findings. Send us those photos or an email. These seeds of joy will grow into even more joy. Let us all spread God’s joy this Advent season.
May God reveal to us the many reasons to praise Him and rejoice in Him, and help us to look for Him always.
Blessings to you and your family,
Sue Lovegreen, Principal
A friendly reminder:
If anyone in your household is exposed to or tests positive for COVID-19 over Thanksgiving Break or during Distance Learning, report it to the school office via email as soon as possible. We need to keep an updated running record of the health and wellbeing of our school community.