This is my first attempt at a blog. Many principals across the nation have
preceded me in this endeavor, so I thought I would try it. I want it to be a way of sharing reflections
on things your children may be involved in or influenced by and hopefully, a
way of provoking deeper thoughts.
I have decided on a simple topic for this
first blog that is quite appropriate during these final weeks of November: thanksgiving.
I often examine my own depth of thanksgiving for its completeness and
depth. In St. Paul’s letter to the
Thessalonians, he says: “Give thanks in all
circumstances (5:18).” St. Paul reminds
the Ephesians to “Give thanks to the Father at all times and for everything
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (5:20)
These are tough words and demanding directives to put into action: to give thanks in all circumstances?
for everything? at all times?
This kind of thanksgiving is far beyond
thanking God for health and the necessities of life and the fun and joys of
life. St. Paul’s charge to us is quite
demanding. It means –
when I am stressed to the limits,
I
should thank God
when I feel struck down and that no
one is on my side,
I should thank God
when I am consumed by my busy-ness,
I should thank
God
when I am a victim of someone’s
anger,
I should thank
God
when circumstances spoiled my much
desired plans,
I should thank
God
But in the end, it works because
giving thanks blesses the person who is thanked and transforms the person who
gives thanks. That’s just the way God
works.
I am reminded of a great story about
legendary Alabama football coach Bear Bryant.
On the first day when the freshman players
arrived, Bryant greeted them with a question:“Have you called your parents to thank them?” Most of the young men were puzzled by the question until Bryant said:
“No one got to this level without
the help of others. Call your parents
and thank them.”
All of us have someone to thank.
Parents of Corpus Christi Catholic School,
thank you for nurturing our children and for entrusting them to us.
In all honesty, at this point in my life,
I am most grateful for the gift of children; for their innocence, their joy and
their wonder. They truly are, for me, a
glimpse into the very heart of God.
Thank you, parents for them.
