As you read this this, we’ve come to the end of another National Lutheran Schools Week. What a great week of fun and celebration! I enjoyed the dress up days, the fun run, penny wars, pep rallies, and everything else. I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of the St. Luke’s community and I enjoy all the wonderful people at our school. I think it’s important that we take time each year during NLSW to thank God for this special place He provides for us.
As I reflect on this time of celebration, I’m also cognizant of how much is asked and expected of schools in this day and age. People have high expectations of schools (rightfully so), and we are required to deliver a lot of things. That might include high academic standards, good medical care, screening for learning challenges, first rate extracurricular activities, customized educational services, and so much more.
I don’t really have a problem with any of that despite the high bar that’s set. But I also think it’s important to focus on the most important thing we need to provide. What’s that? I think our school theme for this year says it all: “Love first.” There’s nothing more critical for us then loving each child as the precious unrepeatable miracle of God they are.
In John 15:12 Jesus says, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Did you see that? Jesus calls loving each other a commandment – not a suggestion or a good idea or something nice to try. At St. Luke’s we will always seek to live out that commandment by loving our students first and foremost with all the heart and passion and effort we can provide. Everything else can flow from that.