God Prints

Some of our administrators spent a couple of days in Edmonton, Alberta recently, at a Christian Schools Canada conference for professional development. The theme of the conference was “God Prints” – Stories of Leadership. One of the key concepts that was spoken about by the key-note speaker was that our stories are a part of a larger or “meta” story.
There were many examples of this in our lives that the speaker laid out for us that we could relate to. One in particular that I have heard in other settings that I have always appreciated is: the ancient Hebrews (and present day Jews) traditionally start their days in the evening – much different than most of us. We are so used to waking up to start our day. Our morning prayers are filled with words – like “bless me to begin the day”, or “use me as I start my day”. What if our prayers started with “thanks for starting the day before I woke up” or “thanks for preparing a way for me”? There would be a much different tone to our days. Our western culture spends so much time and energy focusing on individualism and we tend to think that the world is waiting for us, or on hold till we wake up. It is actually quite humbling to think that the world around us is absolutely buzzing as we sleep. It is completely busy while we rejuvenate for another day. We are created in such a way that we can’t function without our sleep. Our brains need it, our muscles need it, our nervous system needs it – we need it. All the while God is moving in the world, He is making himself known; He is revealing himself; He is preparing our paths for the day. A reminder that we are a part of a larger story, a “meta” story. These words at the conference had me thinking about our school and the context we find ourselves in. ACS has been around for a long time and its history is rich. Those of us who are a part of this particular chapter in its history are simply part of a larger story. We like to think that this is an important time in its history (and I believe it is), but we should be careful not to think that we are at the dawn of a new day and that we are preparing for something new, without acknowledging what has gone on before us. God has been at work at ACS for a long time. I am reminded of this as I meet many of the people who have been a part of the school in the past or have been involved for decades. I look forward to our annual auction which brings many people in the community from all over Abbotsford – young and old together to not only raise money for our wonderful school – but also to share in just another part of ACS’ larger story. It’s in this context that I continue to be excited for what God has in store for us this year and beyond. The strategic plan that we are in the midst of carrying out has us embarking on our dreams, and it has us boldly stepping into 21st century learning as we seek to lead our children into what God has planned for them. He has been preparing us for a time such as this and I reminded of this each day as I wander about the school and see His handiwork. I see the God-Prints of ACS all over the campuses. Because He created us in His image – I get to see God in the children that make up our school. I get to see Him as students draw a lion in kindergarten to reflect their favourite animal; I see Him as a grade four student breaks free from the group in a cross-country race; I notice Him as I help a child out of their car in the morning and they let me know that this is going to be a great day; I acknowledge Him as I notice a student high-fiving their friend in the hallway because of a shared victory in the intramural game; I see Him as I walk by a student too entrenched in their reading in the library to look up; I see Him as a student is recording a live event for a presentation of learning that they can’t wait to share with their class, I notice Him as an excited bus of students unload after spending an afternoon serving others in the community of Abbotsford. This list could go on and on. God is at work here at ACS. He has been for a long time, and He will continue to be. I look forward to how He uses both you and I to see His Kingdom come here at our school as we imprint our God Prints into His larger story. Come on out to our annual auction on Saturday, Oct 16 – a great opportunity to share in God’s story.