“Count your many blessings”
I love this time of year! The air is crisp, the leaves are changing and the holidays are just around the corner. Which means that time with family, friends and good food is sure to come. It is a perfect time for reflection and thanksgiving and we certainly have much to be thankful for.
I was reading about the origins of Thanksgiving and what I found was both surprising and an encouragement. Did you know that George Washington himself in 1789 was the first to proclaim a day of Thanksgiving to God? Indeed, but it never really caught on at the national level. It wasn’t until 1863 that President Lincoln set aside the last Thursday of November as the national Day of Thanksgiving. This would prove to be a pivotal time for Mr. Lincoln. You see just a few months before his proclamation, he had watched as soldiers from the Union and Confederacy fought at the Battle of Gettysburg with over 60,000 casualties. About a month after his proclamation, President Lincoln was in Gettysburg to give what would become his most famous speech, The Gettysburg Address. While walking amongst the thousands of graves it was then and there that Mr. Lincoln committed his life to Christ. In a letter to a friend he writes:
“When I left Springfield [to assume the Presidency], I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ.”
Abraham Lincoln realized that he had much to be thankful for. Fortunately, he made the most important decision he ever made five months before his assassination. For the next years each president, following Lincoln’s lead, proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national Thanksgiving Day. Finally, in 1941 congress permanently established the fourth Thursday of each month as Thanksgiving Day and a national holiday.
In looking back over the past few months that my family has been a part of the WCS family I can see that God’s hand is upon our school. He is putting things in motion all around us and working in the heart of each person. Whether it is the generous outpouring we saw at the Faith Promise Dinner, our students giving back to the community through Center of Hope, Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity, or listening to our children sing praises to our God, He is definitely at work here at WCS.
For each one of us this time of year brings about different emotions and memories. I only hope that we take the time to pause and give thanks for God’s goodness and mercy in our lives. As the old hymn says, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one.” In doing so I know that we will be ever mindful of the provision in our lives and the price that was paid for the hope we have. We are truly blessed and have much to be thankful for.
In Him,
Mr. Roan
Read MoreFall is in the air!!!
Whew! Can you believe that we are into the second six weeks? I can hardly believe it myself, but it’s nice to have summer behind us. The cool crisp air in the mornings is a welcomed reminder that gone are the dog days of summer and fast approaching are the mild temperatures of fall in Texas. I hope you have had the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather together as a family. Fall is a great time to picnic, camp out in the back yard, cook out, and take sunrise or sunset walks together. So take time to get out of the house and enjoy the pleasant temperatures.
In keeping with the fall theme, October is also a special month for Mr. Roan. Not only because of the cooler weather, but October brings one America’s favorite pastime to the forefront. That’s right, I’m talking about baseball and specifically the Texas Rangers! Ranger’s fever is in full effect at my house and I want to bring some of that excitement to work/school. Therefore, I am declaring every Wednesday as “Rangers Wednesday” as well as spirit day Fridays. From now until the end of the World Series, all students may wear a Texas Rangers t-shirt/sweatshirt/jersey every Wednesday (with uniform bottoms) and every Friday (with approved bottoms). So, let’s join together and root on the Rangers to a World Series Title…Go Rangers!!
A big “THANK YOU!” goes out to everyone that had a part in the beautification of the elementary and secondary campuses during our clean up days. Your time, energy and efforts are appreciated more than you will ever know and our campuses look great! Not knowing what to expect, I have to say that I was most impressed with the kids and the hard work that they put into taking care of the school that God has given us. Thanks again!!
Finally, I had the opportunity to speak to the elementary students last week at chapel. We talked about hiding God’s word in our hearts. We sang songs and we even learned a few new songs. What a wonderful time we had together and I look forward to speaking again in a couple of weeks. Thank you boys and girls for a great time of worship!
In Him,
Mr. Roan
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