4.2.20 Weekly Update

 Good day to everyone, I trust you are happy in the Lord and finding your hope/comfort in Him today.  I'm having a hard time processing all that's happening in the lives of many within our church.  From sickness, to job situations to our school deal, there is much to "worry" about.  But Psalm 46 comes rushing in.  What a hope to know that God is our refuge in the midst of any storm.  I will not fear, for God is with me/us.

I know many of our teachers and students are especially hurting today.  There are many, many comforting thoughts floating around for those who are hurting in light of the school closures. Much has and will be said.  Just go on Facebook, you'll see them.  The last thing I want to do is add to that list but I did want to offer a quick thought.  I hurt for them all.  I am sorry it has turned out this way.  I am an optimist.  I do get down, but not often.  My nature is to look for the positive and quickly move that direction. Some say I just avoid dealing with the reality of pain, loss, hurt.  That's fine, but i refuse to dwell in the house of the sadness, pain, loss.  My nature is to deal swiftly and then move on. But I realize we're all different and respond differently to issues we face.  I ask one student yesterday how they felt about it and they responded, "if it weren't for the online work it'd be better."  In other words, they wanted summer to hurry up and get here!   My kind of kid!  Actually, it was my kid! But not all feel this way.  

I do hurt for the seniors, the 8th graders, the 5th graders who were all looking forward to finishing the year together prior to their new adventure.  That won't happen now the way they thought it would happen now.  My prayer is that this will teach us all to trust in the Lord.  To not allow this world or it's customs to feel like home. Sometime we can't have our cake and eat it too!  Sometimes we can't even have the cake!  Too often we become too attached to here.  This hurts for some but the comfort is "this too shall pass."  Dare I say there is a better cake coming.  What a great lesson we are all learning, unfortunately many will hurt deeply in light of the lesson.  I'm sorry, I wished you could have your cake, eat it, share it, freeze it and pull it out 10 years from now and eat it some more. But can you imagine 5, 10, 15 years from now?  Oh the stories these students will have about how they "finished" their year.   

And then you have the parents.  As a senior I would be upset about missing baseball, that's it. The school and festivities, the people and traditions?  Not so much.  But that was just me. We didn't have the parties, ceremonies, awards stuff that we do now.  We gathered on a football field in the valley of Johns Mountain on a warm North Georgia night.  An hour later you had a pretty envelope and your family greeted you.  You hugged them and then went home.  Much has changed since 1991.  Much has changed in my own life since 1991.  I experienced this last year. I think I walked around in denial.  But I hurt for the parents who will experience a new normal.  Last year was fun, heart breaking, exciting, painful and BUSY!  You don't have to like not experiencing that but I would say be thankful for it.  It could be so much different.  

I really don't like that this is happening.  This is not the way we "drew it up."  But it is the way it's unfolding.  Let's find hope in the midst of it and walk with confidence that God has something great He desires to do in this moment.  We all wanted the cake but God desired something different.  We're fine with that plan I know.  But when that plan affects us the danger is we begin to draw back.  I pray we don't. I pray we trust that God is in control.  I pray for wisdom, peace, and joy in the midst of plans changing.  One of Suzanne's favorite verses says this, "weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning."  

 This too shall pass!

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Updates

Here are some great opportunities for your student this upcoming week!

• TODAY - 12p - Lunch Hang on Zoom - Take a break from school and say hello!
  https://us04web.zoom.us/j/608723576?pwd=OEFZNU9Fdm1tTTUvc1pQMUx3S04rZz09
  Meeting ID: 608 723 576
  Password: 007493
• The Rock Daily - Devotion written by Rock Staff. 
• Sunday School & Worship - Find your class at Roopvilleroad.org later today.

• THE ROCK SM LIVE - I pray you're tuning into this night.  Sure, it's different but it's such a joy to still be together on Wednesday nights.  Our options are limited really.  We could get upset, quit or do the best we can with what we've been given.  Currently we're choosing the "do the best we can" method and we'd love for you and your student to join us!   We've attached the video from last night and have all of them available on our YouTube page as well as Facebook.  This has been such a good series on relationships.  So please, tune in!

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Have a great day and we'll plan to see everyone Sunday morning!
Chris/Andrew