150 Years of Love

Dear parents of my PreKindergarteners —

I love your child fiercely. I love her when she gives me hugs, when his face lights up with understanding during a lesson, when she is selfless during center time, and when he sings his heart out during Jesus time. I love your child when he is frustrated and gets upset, and when she has big feelings that are hard to navigate through. I love your child when he says silly things that make me laugh, and when she asks questions about Jesus and shares her faith with her friends, saying joyfully -  “Jesus is in my heart!”.  I love your child fiercely.  

As each school year starts and I begin to form a bond with my students, I am always taken aback a bit by my love for your children. This love comes on quickly and strongly as we get to know each other and become a class family.  This morning I was praying for your children before I got up for church, and the following thoughts came to mind:

This morning was the kickoff service of Trinity’s 150th year. For 150 years, Trinity Lutheran Church and School has shared Jesus with those in our community.  Pastors and teachers have shared the gospel and God’s word has taken root in people’s hearts. And this morning my heart was filled with joy at the privilege it is be a tiny part in that timeline. I already often think about the gift it is to be surrounded by so many selfless teachers who pour themselves out for their students — teachers who work tirelessly to help their students learn academically, but more importantly, grow in their faith.  I  also often think about all the other Lutheran and parochial teachers across the world who are doing the same things in their little corners of the world. 

But this morning as I thought about our 150th celebration worship today, I realized I don’t remember quite as often those who went before us and did all these same things. They also got tired, and discouraged, and felt insignificant, perhaps thinking - does anything I’m doing really matter??

And as we look back, oh how we could answer them — YES!! What you are doing MATTERS.  I think of my own Lutheran school education and the incredible foundation it gave me for literally every piece of my life.  And I think of my mother, who also received a Lutheran education and feels the same way, and her father before her.  The names of all those teachers and pastors won't all be remembered, but what they did has an eternal impact.

For 150 years, God’s servants have walked into whatever building housed Trinity at that time and shared Jesus with their students. For 150 years, they have had the same feelings I have about my little ones. And it’s kind of an overwhelming feeling, knowing how God can take so many ordinary people and use them to share His love. 

So dear PreK parents, I started this letter sharing my love for your children, and I’ll end it just the same. As I carry on, day in and day out, teaching your children their letters and numbers and working on fine and gross motor skills and how to be a kind and loving friend, I’ll also be reminded of this:  God is using me, like He is using everyone at Trinity now, and all those who taught before me and those who will be called here in the future, to be His hands and His feet. So even when that task might feel daunting, instead I’ll be reminded that God loves your children more than I do, more than you do, and He, like He has for eternity, equips us all with what we need for the task.  I am grateful to have the chance to love your children this 150th year of Trinity. 

Love, Mrs. M