Login Register
  • 3773 Geddes Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48105-3028
  • 248-419-3390
LSEM
  • About
    • What We Do…
    • History
    • National Staff
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Administrator of the Year
  • Services
  • Archive
    • Devotions
    • LSEM 150th Anniversary
    • The Advocate
  • stories
  • Support
  • Store
  • Portal
  • About
    • What We Do…
    • History
    • National Staff
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Administrator of the Year
  • Services
  • Archive
    • Devotions
    • LSEM 150th Anniversary
    • The Advocate
  • stories
  • Support
  • Store
  • Portal
LSEM > Devotions > Blanketed

Blanketed

  • December 13, 2022
  • Posted by: Carolyn Mahal
  • Category: Devotions
No Comments

“If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents. Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear. You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away. And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court your favor. – Job 11:13-19

Linus Van Pelt is one of the members of the “Peanuts Gang;” the famous comic strip written by Charles Schulz. He is Charlie Brown’s best friend, Lucy’s little brother, Sally’s love interest, and the Great Pumpkin’s biggest (and only) fan. He is the second baseman on Charlie Brown’s baseball team and isn’t afraid to tell you the real meaning of Christmas. Despite all of that, Linus is probably best known for one thing: a blue blanket that he takes with him just about everywhere he goes. Linus is a smart, resourceful, level-headed kid, except when he is separated from his blanket for even the briefest of moments. Lose the blanket, and Linus is a wreck.

For Linus, the blanket has nothing to do with keeping him warm or the feel of the fabric. It’s all about the security. We can relate to Linus because at one point in our lives, we all owned a favorite thing that we clung to for security. It could have been a blanket, a stuffed animal, a pillow or some other familiar object. Whatever it was, we created a belief in our minds that this specific item would provide us with safety and comfort in any situation. Over time, those items became very tattered, dirty, and worn out from being overly held, hugged and handled. But it didn’t matter just how ragged it became. If it calmed us down and we believed that it would make things better, that’s exactly what it did.

Unfortunately, at some point in our lives, we gave up our security items and ventured out on our own. This likely came about shortly after you were teased about having it for the first time. Other people have a way of shaming us into decisions that do more to satisfy their desires at the expense of what we like and know is right. Yes, maybe this is overthinking it. I mean, it does make sense when talking about schoolmates and cousins who might tease us for our teddy bear. Some might even say that this is a good thing, preventing us from taking our blankie into a job interview or on a first date as adults. But now that we’re looking at this as adults, I feel that there are also times where this same pattern of behavior can lead to a dangerous outcome.

For many in the world, religious beliefs are nothing more than fables. Our relationship with God, our belief in Jesus Christ; all fairy tales designed to give the simple and the unenlightened a sense of security regarding their place in the universe. They say faith is infantile and people who choose to believe the lies are mindless sheep who would be better off if they would abandon such childish notions. The world is filled with people, groups, and organizations who work diligently to discredit Christian ideals and the people who follow them. For many who want to fit in to the world, who want to impress those who would challenge the validity of their faith, they give in to the pressure and walk away from what they have been taught. Or maybe they hold onto their beliefs but are careful to keep such thoughts hidden from others who would criticize them. It’s hard as adults to stand up for our faith when it is simply unwanted in so many places.

So, what are we to do? I say we listen to our inner child.

When Lucy tries to take Linus’s blanket away, she is met with stiff competition. In 99% of their interactions, Lucy would win any fight with Linus. Add the potential loss of the blanket to the equation, and Linus will put up the fight of his life. He clings to the blanket with everything he has, determined to never be separated from the thing he loves more than anything else. We, like Linus, must cling to our faith with every fiber of our being when Satan would challenge and tempt us to abandon it. When we put our faith in God. When we dedicate our lives to the One who created us, who saved us from our sins, and who provides us with everything we need to live through Him, there is nothing in all of creation that can separate us from the all-powerful love of God. In Him we will find strength, forgiveness, grace, peace, hope, and a sense of security that the world could never match.

Hold tight to your faith in every situation. He will deliver you from sin. He will bless your coming and going, and as Linus would be pleased to hear, He will blanket you from the nastiest attacks of the world – including big sisters.

 

Devotion by Richard Schumacher

Senior Director of Operations

  • Recent Posts

    • Exciting Partnership Announcement
    • The Lutheran Education Podcast, Ep 62
    • Coming to Fruition
    • Steady Progress
    • Man Plans, But…
  • More Stories

    Coming to Fruition

    Steady Progress

    Listening is Reading Too!

    Support and Evaluation

    From Student to Teacher

    Everyday Victories

    Goal Achieved!

    The Success in Independence

    Students ARE the WOW

    Pressing On

    Struggles

    A Different Path

    No One Is Alone

    A Little Boost

    Daily Bread

    Not Just One Wow

    A Hungry Caterpillar

    A, Child of Jesus

    All Kinds of Smart

    When It ‘Clicks’

    Moments of Growth

    Gloomy to Glad

    Creative Engagement

    Vertical Learning Works!

    A Lasting Impact

    Acting to Improve Reading

    The Importance of Practice

    The Sticky Note

    Incredible Growth, Incredible Child

    Play A Game!

    Serving More

    The Journey

    Peer Mentoring

    See the Joy

    Celebrate the Achievement

    The Results Speak Volumes

    Everyone Needs Kindness

    40 Years of Service

    God Made It Grow

    Individualized Learning

    Cling to Hope

    Power of Intervention

    A Different Approach

    Little Wow Moments

    Code Crackers

    Seeing the Change

    Disability Awareness Event

    Facing Fears

    Perseverance and Persistence

    Support and Confidence

    Organization and Progress

    A Growing Service

    Long Lasting Effects

    Benefits of Collaboration

    Productive Starts

    It Works!

    A Fun Challenge

    More than One Way

    Importance of the Basics

    Loving Literature

    Being Special

    Celebrate the Victories

    Learning, Reading, Helping

    Benefits of Partnership

    Hearing God’s Call

    The Book Bunch

    Never Give Up

    More Than Just Book Learning

    From Struggles to Smiles

    Back on Track

    Leaps and Bounds

    Recognizing Success

    Graduation Gratitude

    Carryover Success

    Learning and Teaching

    Coolness!

    A Path of Improvement

    Learning Brings Confidence

    Something That Works

    From Fearful to Fearless

    A Magical Moment

    Growth Mindset: Self Advocacy

    Growing and Blooming

    Building That Relationship

    Finding the Right One

    Getting Back On Track

    More Than Just Academics

    No Problem

    God’s Love in the Classroom

    A Familiar Face

    Rewinding the Negative

    What A Difference

    The Power of Relationship

    The Encouragement to Shine

    Long Lasting Effects

    A New Start For A Child

    Providing Effective Instruction

    Summer Practice and Fall Success

    Where God Leads

    What A Teacher Longs For

    Blossoming Success

    Support Makes A Difference

    Attitude and Determination

    A Real World Connection to Learning

    Watch in Amazement

    More Than Just A School

    Some Classroom Success Stories

    A “Shark Tank” Story

    Creature Comfort

    Fostering Spiritual Growth

    Catching Up

    Another Way to Read

    Connecting Learning to Hobbies

    A Wow List

    I Know the Answer!

    It’s Okay to Ask for Help

    Long Term Growth

    Resilience

    Practice Makes Progress

    Teaching at Many Grade Levels

    Yes You Can!

    Learning and Building Confidence

    Finding the Fun in Reading

    The Hybrid Classroom

    Teaching Outside a Resource Room

    Sight Word Wow

    Acceptance Leading to Growth

    The Goal Stays the Same

    Seeing Smiles

    A New Way to Teach

    Attitudes Change

    Consistent Alternatives

    A Hand to Help

    A Message from the President/CEO

    How Your Gift Makes an Impact

    LSEM Christmas Tea

    There Are Spiders in Her Office!

    Finding Her Place

    Small Tech Makes a Big Improvement

    New Families for a New School Year

    We Praise the Lord

    Transitions

    It’s Been a Busy Summer

    Golf for a Cause!

    Faith During the Pandemic

    A Fireside Chat with Stacy Hoeft

    Work From Home Desk Challenge

    We MOVED!

    Introducing 20 in 20

    Hear From Our Teachers

    LSEM Summer Shorts

    To God Be the Glory!

    A Thank You to Our Teachers

    A Valentine’s Special

    New Students and New Challenges

    A Brief Reflection On Service

    Teaching in a Virtual Landscape

    Teaching in a Time of Uncertainty

    LSEM in Texas

    Anxiety and Learning

    You Don’t Have to Choose

    A Learning Haven

    Causing a Culture Shift

    Connecting in a Time of Difficulty

    Growth and Goodbyes at St John Rochester

    Growing Confidence

    A Friendsgiving Story

    Not Being Defined by a Learning Need

    A Shifting Approach to Special Education

    Teachers Are Like Family

    Enthusiastic Support in Hanoi

    Step Up to Reading

    Starting on an Active Note

    Look at That Smile!

    Seeing Yourself in a Story

    What Makes a Wow Story

    Celebrate Them Going

    Lutheran Education Podcast

    Exactly the Help We Needed

    On the Ballot for the National LWML

    A Special Announcement

    Stories from Hearts for Jesus 2

    Stories from Hearts for Jesus 1

    Hearts for Jesus Continues!

    Busy Bees at St Peter

    Professional Development Helps Everyone

    An Unexpected Opportunity to Help

    Technology Opening Doors of Communication

    Satchian’s Story

    A Trip to Let It Shine

    Saying YES to a Child in Need

    Literacy and A Little Library

    A Positive Program Result

    A Kindergarten Wow Story

    Technology is Opening Doors for LSEM Students

    LSEM Helps Establish Standards

    Honoring the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

    An Innovative Principal’s Mindset

    It Takes A Team

    High School Transformation

    Growing and Graduating

    Minnesota Principal Sees LSEM Impact

    The Best Gift of All

    A Young Boy with a Giant Heart

    LSEM Helps Texas School Shine its Light

    Notes from the Tree House

    LSEM Student Uses Dance to Express her Love of Jesus

    Costa Mesa Principal Reports LSEM Success!

    A Second Grade Success Story

    Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Student Fearless About His Future!

    Crown of Life Lutheran School Puts its Mission into Action

    Future Cities Super Star Wins at National Competition

    Former LSEM Student Uses Her Experience to Help Others

     LSEM Teacher Uses Skills to Connect with Teen Learners 

    A Mother’s Voice: How Mia Transformed Her Struggles to Success 

    A Perfect Storm

    You can. We can. The children can!

    From shy and quiet to outgoing and involved

    Success stories all around us

    Students compete in national competition

    An “Updated” Story of Faith

    From the Heart: A Friend of LSEM Shares How His Family Made a Difference

    From Struggling to Smiling

    Wow! This has made all the difference

    One Child. Two Perspectives

ABOUT US

Throughout our history God has graciously revealed his plan for us. Although the educational landscape is constantly changing, LSEM is committed to partnering with Christian communities to help meet the needs of children and their families. Please contact us if you would like more information on how we can support you or your ministry.

QUICK LINKS

  • ABOUT US
  • LATEST NEWS
  • GIVE
  • STORIES
  • JOB OPPORTUNITIES
  • CONTACT
  • CONTACT US

    3773 Geddes Rd.
           Ann Arbor, MI 48105-3028

    248-419-3390

    Email: lsem@luthsped.org

     

     

    Footer logo
    Footer logo
    Search