Counselor’s Corner - November 7, 2022

Dear Teachers,

When native Fort Myers Beach native, George Andrad, saw the fast-approaching Hurricane Ian, he had to make a quick decision. Seeing that flood waters were rising in his ground-floor home, Andrad raced above to his neighbor's second floor apartment.  As water continued to rise nearly to the ceiling, George knew he needed saving.  

Spotting the kitchen fridge, the desperate man says he "opened it up, and I jumped in.  And the water just raised, raised, raised, raised to my chest."  Sous chef by profession, Andrad used a tool of his trade and turned it into a raft that saved his life.  "Oh, yeah! That thing was swaying like this.  It takes me floating, and then it's like 'boom' hit the ceiling!"  For five minutes, Goerge bobbed in the water like a buoy out at sea.  As he gasped for air pockets of breath, the storm surge subsided and Andrad escaped the now-partially-collapsed house a survivor.

And you, there in your classroom, may feel like you're gasping for breath.  At times you may be surprised by fast-approaching storms of parental onslaught, board conflicts, or personal battles.  You likely sense when you're being flooded by imbalance, overwork, and pressure.  If that's your story, JUMP IN.  Use the tool of your trade, Jesus, and turn Him into your heavenly Life Raft.  When your storm surges (and classroom goes crazy), retreat into the safety of Him for inner peace and trust that He is King over the flood.

During a 2013 miscarriage life-flood, I played and replayed Hillsong's "Still."  Now during your flood, my prayer for you is that you can "rest [your] soul in Christ alone, and know His power when the oceans rise and thunders roar."  May you find assurance in His promise to "soar with you above the storm."  Jump into Him knowing and proclaiming "Father, You are King over the flood and I will be still, and know You are God!"

Uplifting you in your storm,
Mindy Salyers
Christian School Counselor