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Swimming Against the Tide

March 17, 2022
By Kristen Lihos, Advancement Director

I care so much about this school, and I try hard not to take it for granted. When it has literally been around my entire life, I can easily lose the perspective that it is not a given that it will be here as an option for my 10-year-old to graduate from, much less my future grandchildren. Institutions like ours take hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and most importantly the favor of God. We have all seen businesses and churches disappear during the pandemic or childhood staples (Sears or Kmart, anyone?) that we thought would be around forever. The tide will always be against a private Christian school thriving, which is why intention swimming in the right direction matters so much. 

Sometimes our arms are tired, and we feel like we are swimming alone. But other times, in God’s great grace to us, we spot a friend swimming with us, and we see a beautiful sunrise on the horizon. Our hope and faith in the One that sustains us is refreshed!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

If you are looking around for school encouragement, or if you have some encouragement to share, I have two practical suggestions for you:

First, take a minute to complete the ACSI Flourishing Schools Survey that was emailed out on Tuesday. There is a separate survey for parents / teachers / support staff  /alumni. A student survey will come soon and be completed in class. These kinds of 360 anonymous surveys help us gain a better understanding of where we are and help us plan where we are going. We want your voices to be heard, and we want to make the best decisions possible for our students to thrive.

Second, come to the auction! We have been separated for far too long, and it is long overdue for us to be refreshed! With a goal of energizing and encouraging our school family, we are excited to announce that this year’s Bid for Cause is JOY AT EVERY LEVEL!  We are taking time to focus on knocking off student and staff wish list items that help build community and encouragement! Outdoor games, equipment, and seating for students to use in building relationships, over-the-ear mics and risers for our performances to instill joy, and a new Warrior scoreboard for our Activities Center to show our school pride in our athletes! We feel that these improvements will touch and benefit  the youngest Warrior to the oldest. Come check it out on April 2!

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10b

To close, I want to remind you that you are not swimming alone. I regularly remind people that no one enters (much less stays) in Christian education for anything but a deep conviction in the mission. You are surrounded by a sea of believers! When you get a small glimpse of the greater Church that God has brought together here at Grace, you are left in awe of how He is always faithful to sanctify and grow His body to His own glory! I for one have great excitement in our front-row seats to watch God’s plan for this school.

John Morrison says:
March 18, 2022 07:36 AM CST
Well said, Kristen. We are greatly privileged to continue to have the freedom and opportunity to operate GCS!