Our Lady of The Valley Catholic School you are in my prayers. You treasure your school and the attention your children receive from the endearing OLV faculty who always inspire them, motivate them and teach them to live with God as their center.
Similar to your situation, last year meant the end of a tradition in my family too. As difficult as it was then to say goodbye, I can honestly say that this first year at a new catholic school has been a really amazing one. It has been only seven months since three of our children entered St. Patrick Cathedral School as the “new kids in the hallways” yet my family feels this school is now our home.
My kids are Irish and wear their new school colors proudly. They participate just as much, if not more, than in their previous school. I am blessed to have great teachers and the school is blessed to have strong parent involvement. St. Patrick parent participation is enthusiastic and healthy, built around fun family fundraisers. Mary is in cheerleading and Luka is taking piano, two extracurricular activities previously not offered to us. Both my little ones have a large group of students that have quickly become their new best friends. My second oldest is in middle school and has not only kept his old school friends close but has also made good friends with new St. Patrick boys.
New parents that started this year with us at St. Patrick’s have stayed closely knit together, as we come from the same fabric. At the same time my husband and I have been able to meet some other really great parents. We have enjoyed getting together for kids’ birthday parties outside of school and have developed new parent friendships over the past few months.
The experience has been a blessing for all of us and the change, in hindsight, was probably the best change for my kids.
One thing I have learned about God is that when he decides to make changes in our lives he doesn’t do so subtly or even slightly. There is nothing the Lord grants us that is done quietly. The Lord makes a big noise in our life when he decides that a change is for us. He usually shakes the very foundation we stand on.
Change is difficult especially when God does not reveal to us the long term plan. Often change happens unexpectedly and without a reason (at least not one that we can immediately identify). Often we fight change and we get frustrated that God does not give us what we want. It is at this impasse with the Lord that He calls on us to look deep within and find our faith in order to be strong enough to follow Him and accept His will.
The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you.
During Lent we are called to be transformed, to find a way to come back to God. What we don’t realize is that often our trials, our sufferings, our disappointments and our biggest losses are the ways God gets us to come back to Him. Jesus asks, “ Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23) This is a call of absolute surrender, to be willing to put to death our own ideas and desires for what should be. We are called to discipleship and this is the cost.
God's will is at work for the future of your children’s education just as it was for mine. It is time to relinquish the need to know what His will is or even change it. It is time to follow and allow your faith in Him to lead you.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
Similar to your situation, last year meant the end of a tradition in my family too. As difficult as it was then to say goodbye, I can honestly say that this first year at a new catholic school has been a really amazing one. It has been only seven months since three of our children entered St. Patrick Cathedral School as the “new kids in the hallways” yet my family feels this school is now our home.
My kids are Irish and wear their new school colors proudly. They participate just as much, if not more, than in their previous school. I am blessed to have great teachers and the school is blessed to have strong parent involvement. St. Patrick parent participation is enthusiastic and healthy, built around fun family fundraisers. Mary is in cheerleading and Luka is taking piano, two extracurricular activities previously not offered to us. Both my little ones have a large group of students that have quickly become their new best friends. My second oldest is in middle school and has not only kept his old school friends close but has also made good friends with new St. Patrick boys.
New parents that started this year with us at St. Patrick’s have stayed closely knit together, as we come from the same fabric. At the same time my husband and I have been able to meet some other really great parents. We have enjoyed getting together for kids’ birthday parties outside of school and have developed new parent friendships over the past few months.
The experience has been a blessing for all of us and the change, in hindsight, was probably the best change for my kids.
One thing I have learned about God is that when he decides to make changes in our lives he doesn’t do so subtly or even slightly. There is nothing the Lord grants us that is done quietly. The Lord makes a big noise in our life when he decides that a change is for us. He usually shakes the very foundation we stand on.
Change is difficult especially when God does not reveal to us the long term plan. Often change happens unexpectedly and without a reason (at least not one that we can immediately identify). Often we fight change and we get frustrated that God does not give us what we want. It is at this impasse with the Lord that He calls on us to look deep within and find our faith in order to be strong enough to follow Him and accept His will.
The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you.
During Lent we are called to be transformed, to find a way to come back to God. What we don’t realize is that often our trials, our sufferings, our disappointments and our biggest losses are the ways God gets us to come back to Him. Jesus asks, “ Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23) This is a call of absolute surrender, to be willing to put to death our own ideas and desires for what should be. We are called to discipleship and this is the cost.
God's will is at work for the future of your children’s education just as it was for mine. It is time to relinquish the need to know what His will is or even change it. It is time to follow and allow your faith in Him to lead you.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
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