LSEM > Devotions > Celebrating Together

Celebrating Together

  • July 20, 2023
  • Posted by: Carolyn Mahal
  • Category: Devotions
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As God created us as His people, He gave us all unique personalities. It seems that such variety of smiles, gestures, humor, dialogue, and even struggles cause us to stop and reflect on His goodness and direction for our lives. He shares such promises in these New Testament verses:

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.  John 15:11 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice!  Phil. 4:4

Both in the books of John and in Philippians, these writers speak of the essence of joy, and how we should all live our lives by rejoicing in our salvation, God’s greatest gift to His people.

Are there specific ways we can be part of a sustained movement to live celebratory lives? First and foremost, we can remember our baptisms, that moment of grace, forgiveness, remembering, and celebrating our lives in Christ Jesus, our Savior! We can also, upon awakening each morn, utter a simple “Thank you, Lord, for my life and for every part of the blessings and challenges that are part of my existence.” It is also appropriate to seek out family and friends who bring joy into our lives. There are Bible studies and books, too, that can help us understand how to celebrate, to make memories, and to bless others.

One such book that speaks to a father’s role in raising his son provides a glimpse into some concrete and applicable ways to make celebrations a deliberate part of living. Robert Lewis has authored Raising a Modern Day Knight: A Father’s Role in Guiding His Son to Authentic Manhood. Part of the premise of his book is how a father has an opportunity to shape his son into a strong, godly man. The other exciting aspect is creating a reality of celebration within life events in our children and families.

Through the various programs that Lutheran Special Education Ministry offers, let us note that these provide such opportunities for schools, teachers, parents, congregations, and so many other communities.

  • Schools: Watching struggling students make progress. Engaging educational teams to work together on behalf of students. Using data to witness real celebrations but also noting what may not be working.
  • Teachers: The building of relationships with every child. The showing of love, kindness, and real caring. The building of self-esteem and assisting with planning out a future.
  • Parents: Witnessing a change from an unhappy child to one who may have a totally new outlook in life within learning and relationships. The building of a strong partnership with both the teacher(s) and school.
  • Congregations: Watching a school grow, as students with special needs find a niche of learning well. All growth seen through the lens of being able to share Jesus with even more students.
  • Other Communities: Those who are drawn to a school that understands and promotes the success of every child – but also realizing that support is needed and is embraced to be able to carry out such a mission.

For some, the following may be the very first Bible verse memorized as a child – forever engraved in one’s heart. For others, it can be a daily prayer of thanksgiving and acknowledgement of God’s goodness to us. Steadfastness. Giving thanks. Forever. Such powerful words and a promise!

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good: for His steadfast love endures forever!  I Chron. 16:34

For God’s Old Testament people, this became both a statement to live by [truth] and the verse in and of itself was a celebration. They were separated by sin but had the promise of salvation through the promised life, death, and resurrection of the Savior, Jesus Christ! He has done all of this for each one of us who love Him and who believe in Him. Let us all take time and celebrate His goodness to us, and do so in numerous ways, deliberately. At LSEM every child should be celebrated in every school program, from those who need extra assistance to the student who is ready to soar through gifted programming. Let us celebrate the schools that understand the need to bless every child not only academically, but through the teaching of the Gospel message from God’s Word.

Let us celebrate together and give thanks! Let us join together in prayer for God to more fully engage our various constituents to celebrate the good things He has done and continues to do through LSEM…

 

Devotion by Thomas Wrege, Principal at Zion Lutheran School in Georgetown, Texas. He currently has two LSEM teachers on staff. He loves the mission and ministry of LSEM and strives to reach every child with the love of Jesus and the promise of relational and servant hearts.