Love Is a Game-Changer
A look back at 2nd-grade teacher Linda Thigpen's reflections on Valentines Day, teaching, and Christ's love.
As we enter into the most noted month for celebrating love, it got me thinking about ACA and how much love plays a huge part of who we are as a community. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
At ACA, we are uniquely committed to our students and our families. We have a rich desire to walk together in this journey called parenting. Our families are encouraged, prayed for, lifted up by each other and by our staff. We are a small community united in helping our families to overcome the hard times and challenges that school and life bring our way. We are not guaranteed easy paths, but together, united in love, we are able to hold each other up through all circumstances.
This is a particular blessing as a teacher at ACA. Teachers get the opportunity to see love be a “game-changer” everyday in our classrooms. The way our students care for each other is amazing. When a student is overcome with frustration and dismay, there is always a peer reaching out to them to encourage, pray for, and celebrate their success. And teachers meet the students where they are! We pour God's love into them. We share our personal stories of how God has blessed, guided, and loved us along our journeys. We want to walk with our students as they travel theirs.
To have the freedom to love my students well, set high academic standards, and pray during class for my students and their families is a treasure. Our school is small but mighty. We are blessed by God to have precious families helping each other along this path -- because parenting has days that are very difficult! Our teachers and staff care very much about partnering with our families. When you are enrolled at our school, you are more than an enrollment number -- you are part of our family. God equips us with loving hearts and a desire to nurture and assist each family in their needs.
You are not alone in this journey. I pray that this February is a time to thank God for his goodness to us, and for us to continue to live loved. Love is a “game changer”!
