Since I announced that I would conclude my time at ACS in December, several people still stop me at the crosswalk or in the school hallway and say, “I thought you were done here?” It really depends on how you emphasize the sentence as to whether I choose to be offended.
A Common Question
This year marks 10 and a half years at Abbotsford Christian School.
This has been home for our family since our oldest, Caleb, started kindergarten. I started at the secondary campus shortly thereafter. I’ve been a teacher, vice-principal, and principal. People frequently ask me which one I prefer. They all have their pros and cons, but the truth is, I love hanging out with the students and building a rich, Christ-centred community with my staff team. The best part of my job comes from singing and high-fiving students as they come in the door.
What Plan?
My students (and parents) regularly ask me why I’m leaving. What is my plan? I give them a dumbfounded look. Plan? I don’t have a plan.
My posture, if you know me, is to take one faithful step at a time. Ten and a half years ago, I didn’t imagine myself as a professor at a university. At that time, I didn’t picture myself as a vice principal or even a principal.
I’ve learned that finding those quiet moments and listening to that still small whisper of God’s voice and then chasing the opportunities as they present themselves has served me well.
When students and parents encounter big decisions and ask, “What should I do?” My response is usually, what takes the most faith and then go do that. The truth is we all spend way too much time standing on the edge of big decisions wondering if God will meet us in those places.
If I jump, will he catch me?
He always has and He always will.
God Shows Up
The decision to move on from ACS is a big jump.
It is a decision that takes tremendous faith. But what I’ve learned over the past few years is that God is really good at showing up. He’s been gracious to our family, he’s provided countless opportunities to live out the gospel at ACS, he’s established a great community for my boys, he’s taught me patience, self-control, forgiveness, grace, mercy, joy, and how to laugh well. I’m grateful for all the big things he allowed me to do, but I’m grateful for all the small things he gave me as well.
Faith is a funny thing, and I’m excited (and mildly terrified) to see what lies ahead at TWU.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?