May: A TIME TO LOOK AT THE SCHOOL YEAR AND PRAISE THE LORD

Newsletter flowers

Here we are; it’s May. If you are like me, you are asking yourself, “Where did this school year go?” It seems like just yesterday that I greeted students on the playground who were wearing new shoes, carrying new back packs and anticipating meeting their new teacher. That was August and now it is May. I truly praise our Lord, Jesus for the ways He has moved in magnificent ways during the 2014-2015 School Year. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the works of His hand at RCS Elementary School:

Students and staff smile in our classrooms and hallways.
Students and staff love one another with the love of Christ.
More students are reading at grade level this year compared to this time last year.
Students have learned life skills like honesty, cooperation, appreciation, serving and many more this year.
Students have fallen more in love with God’s word by reading their new Bibles.
Students have become better mathematicians this year, during the second year of implementation of our new Math program.
Parents continue to be part of the cord of three strands that is not easily broken as we work together to disciple our children. Thank you to 150+ volunteers.
Many parents are attending “Table Talk” with Mrs. Hoppe each month to discuss RCS and to discuss how we can partner together to serve our children.

The list goes on and on. Would you please take time as a family to praise God for how He is working at RCS? Take this opportunity to praise Him as a family. Recently, a colleague shared the following devotion with me on praising God and I think it is quite appropriate to share it with you.

Thank you for allowing me to serve our Lord, Jesus by serving at RCS. Every day I am filled with abundant life as I lead this school. Thank you for your love, support, encouragement, prayers and hugs.

Wrapped in His Love,

Patty Hoppe

CHILDREN PRAISE GOD

Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’”? Matthew 21:9

The Lord calls forth praise from the lips of precious children to Him. They praise Him for they know He loves them. They praise Him because He cares for them. They praise Him for His goodness. They praise Him for His forgiveness. They praise Him for the beauty of His holiness. Their praise is pure, unsoiled by skeptics. A child has yet to be defiled by the cynical sorts Satan sends to confuse adults. Their authentic air of worship drifts a pleasing aroma into the nostrils of God.

A child is positioned by their honest intentions and trusting hearts to embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Thus, as parents we are responsible to encourage their growth in grace and truth. We teach them songs of praise at an early age so words of worship make their way into the depths of their moldable hearts. ‘Bless the Lord and all that is within me’ will not be soon forgotten by a son or daughter who sings this to Jesus. Yes, praise revels Christ’s salvation.

The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness. Isaiah 38:19

furthermore, make it fun for your child to praise Jesus. Play uplifting and joyful music in the car and at home. A chorus like, ‘Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe,’ is an easy phrase to recall and it reflects the heart of Christ. He says, ‘If you love me keep my commands’ (John 14:15). A simple and appropriate way for a child to honor their parents is to obey them. Instant obedience is an indicator of a person whose praise to God is life changing.

A family who worships together grows in grace together. Yes, there are times you wonder if all the Sunday morning ruckus is worth the physical energy and emotional stress to get your little ones to church. Absolutely yes, keep your family in a healthy, faith filled environment. Like a greenhouse grows luscious fruit and vegetables, so your child’s heart warms to God in worship. Encourage your child to praise God by your passionate praise to God. He inhabits His praises!

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3, KJV