Connected

By Heather Morgan – Secretary, ECA Board of Directors

Hello, ECA Family! Even as an introvert who gets energy from being alone, I am missing human interaction and SCHOOL! The struggle is so real that I might get a little wordy here, for which I apologize in advance.

At our school board meeting on March 17 — during that first week of unexpected closure — it was my turn to share a devotion. Actually, I had signed up for February and put way too much effort into writing a one-pager that I wanted to sound effortless yet meaningful. Then I was so relieved when February’s meeting was cancelled due to snow and we did all our business digitally without a devotion!

But then March came and I was on the agenda again. Sigh. Tremble. My consternation was not, I repeat not, because I think devotions aren’t valuable. On the contrary, sharing God’s promises with each other is a huge privilege that I do not take lightly. I was nervous about trying to say something that might inspire the many wise, godly people in the room, including a wide variety of church leaders. Plus, I sometimes cry when I speak publicly and I absolutely hate to cry! And, to top it off, we were entering an unprecedented era where we had to sit six feet apart and talk about the possibility that school as we knew it wouldn’t reconvene for a long time!

Blessedly, God let me shelf that February one-pager I felt so nervous about and offer instead a simple reading of some Scriptures He had placed in my path during the previous few days. As I sorted the verses, a pattern emerged. Some were God speaking to us, others were God speaking about us, then some were us speaking to God. The majority of the verses were us speaking to each other about God. This might be because we as humans are wired to listen to each other. The words we say have impact. Even as interactions are primarily electronic right now, let’s keep talking to each other! And may all our expressions — of love, friendship, concern, even uncertainty — be covered in an understanding of God’s steadfast presence and unfailing love. Below are some of the verses the school board has prayed for you and for ECA. Please know that you continue to be in our hearts and prayers.

God speaks to us:

Psalm 75:3 “When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah”

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

God speaks about us:

Psalm 91:14-16 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

We speak to God:

Psalm 73: 23-26 “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Isaiah 26:3-4 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

Psalm 3:3 “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”

We speak to each other:

Psalm 118:24 “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 46:11 “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah”

Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”

Ephesians 2:14 “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.”

Matthew 6:31-33 “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Daniel 2:20, 22 “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might….He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.”

Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

1 John 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”

HEATHER MORGAN – Secretary, ECA Board of Directors
The Morgan family has been connected to ECA since Don, Heather’s husband, became a student here in the 1970s. Don and Heather have two children currently attending ECA, and they are members of Village Seven Presbyterian Church. Heather’s education and experience in English and writing have opened doors for her to work for a non-profit organization, to teach English as a Second Language, and to volunteer in a variety of areas at ECA and V7PC.