One of the things I love about school is that it has a certain rhythm and cycle to it. Back to school time buzzes with energy as students eagerly return for another year. Throughout the year, holidays and special events accentuate routine activities. You may be looking forward to the Children’s Christmas Service, the Spelling Bee, or Spirit Week. Eventually, everyone yearns for summer vacation. The cycle continues. God built rhythms and cycles into creation. Snow in October may make you cringe, or it is a welcome sign of the weather to come. Just as soon as the leaves begin to fall, the trees seem to be budding again and the cycle continues. Another season… another year… another phase of life. Rhythms and cycles are built into the life of a believer too. Two teachings in scripture need to be applied daily. God’s Law reminds us that he has a standard of perfection that we can never attain on our own. His Law specifically pricks our conscience and causes us to confess our sin. The beauty of God’s Word is at just that moment, we have another teaching to apply. The Gospel comes to us to forgive and restore us before God. His Word heals our hearts and relieves our consciences. In the peace of forgiveness, the Word now provides a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. The whole life of a believer resides between those two teachings. Each day the sun rises, and the cycle begins. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” - Lamentations 3:22-23 Thank God we have a lifetime of cycles to learn about His goodness, faithfulness, and love. Thank God we have His Word to remind us that our salvation is a gift we could never earn or deserve. As the school year's cadence marches on, take note and give thanks for the blessings that are new every morning. Give thanks for God’s Word, which is our stay in every season of life. -Principal Peck