Counselor’s Corner - March 4 Issue

Dear Light-Bearers,

On a recent celebratory trip to the Big Apple, I toured the Statue of Liberty.  Her real given name, "Liberty Enlightening the World," acknowledged her purpose: to shine a light of freedom for all the weary and worn incoming immigrants.  Her torch shown as a promise to all, giving hope and life to all.  Countless lives were changed upon U.S. entry and welcomed by Lady Liberty.

From 1886 to 1984, the Statue of Liberty held her torch high, but modifications to the flame changed its original design over the years.  During a redesign in 1916, the torches deteriorating holes were filled with amber glass, but this only led to still further disintegration.  Then, an act of German sabotage of a New Jersey munitions plant caused earthquake-like tremors that further weakened the flaming symbol.  Finally, the original piece was too fragile to sustain anymore exposure to the elements.  Replacing it with a replica, the 3,600 original was slowly and carefully removed and brought to its permanent place of protection, resting in The Liberty Museum at the base of the statue.  

As I learned the history and gazed at the rusted-out base of the flame, I thought of you,  Light-Bearers, and how you daily shine hope for your weary and worn Covid-impacted students.  You give promise, hope, and life to your classrooms.  As you welcome students into your classroom, you change their lives forever.

And yet, you may feel yourself deteriorating.  Maybe it's the latest curriculum redesign or a school board member's sabotage.  Maybe it's simply having been exposed too long to the elements of stress, anxiety, and overwork.  Whatever it is, you may feel too fragile to sustain any further exposure.  If this is the case, seek a permanent place of resting at the feet of your Savior.

Basking in your light,

Mindy