Dear Parent(s),
Much JOY to you in 2022! January always seems to be an exciting time of new beginnings and fresh starts, and this year is no exception. I welcome the start of a new year because it’s a time when we organically reflect about our focus and vision for what’s ahead.
At the beginning of each new year, I pray and ponder, in search of my “one word” or focus for what I want to accomplish. This year it hit me differently – I felt prompted to take the focus off of myself. That lead me to this simple mantra: “love God and love others.”
As I reflected on this, it brought me back to my own college days at Northwestern when I sang a song in chapel called “Oh Lord You’re Beautiful.” I challenge you to close your eyes and focus on God’s love for you and your family as you listen to these words, as sung by Kim Boyce (lyrics below):
https://youtu.be/5N4u5XDaBmk
Oh Lord, You're beautiful
Your face is all I seek
For when Your eyes are on this child
Your grace abounds to me
Oh Lord, You're beautiful
Your face is all I seek
For when Your eyes are on this child
Your grace abounds to me
I want to take Your word and shine it all around
First help me just to live it, Lord
And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown
For my reward is giving glory to You
Oh Lord, please light the fire
That once burned bright and clear
Replace the lamp of my first love
That burns with holy fear
Oh Lord, You're beautiful
Your face is all I seek
For when Your eyes are on this child
Your grace abounds to me
Your grace abounds to me
My prayer for our new and returning students is that they will experience an overwhelming presence of our heavenly Father, where they can focus on His love amidst so much adversity and confusion in our world. Will you join me?