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Dear Shiloh Family,

The day began with an incredible heartfelt prayer. Several teachers and a handful of elementary students gathered around the flagpole as other students hustled by, parents dropped off their children, and business-as-usual was carried out all over campus.

Thousands of students, parents, teachers, and staff celebrated “See You at the Pole Day” all over Georgia. Some had previous obligations, some forgot, and some chose not to attend. However, the attendees were intentional in praying for schools across the nation. Many venues had short worship songs, others had guest speakers, and some had testimonials. However, the theme was prayer. We were so fortunate to have been blessed with a prayer from a wonderful teacher and even better person. She sincerely petitioned the throne on behalf of our entire staff, from Janitors to Principals. She earnestly prayed for students in each grade level and for specific needs throughout our school system. I left the gathering encouraged and impowered.

On the other side of the spectrum, our day ended with the tragic news of the death of one of our former students. Seniors were heartbroken at the loss of their classmate. As I spoke to his comrades, tears were shed and again, prayers were offered.

I couldn’t help but wonder, could I have prayed harder, did I attend See You at the Pole Day when he was in school, and what kind of influence was I when he was in my 5th grade class? Now, I can only pray for his family and friends who are left behind to morn.

Regardless, I am reminded to pray, not just one day a year at a public event, but every day and for every student who comes into my care. I am reminded to smile more than smirk, help more than hinder, talk more than teach, listen louder, and lift up more than lash out. 
 
1 Thessalonians 5:15-17
15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing NKJV

Parents, love your children. Children, love your parents. Husbands, love your wives. Wives, love your Husbands. I encourage everyone to say the things that need to be said, do the deeds that need to be done, and pray the prayer that needs to be prayed. We are not promised another breath; take advantage of the one we have at this very moment. 

James 4:13-15: 13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. NKJV

Please, don’t wait too late to do the things you’ve been putting off, to change the things in your life you’ve been trying to change, to reach out to the people who need you, and to surrender to the Savior who is reaching out to you. 

Pray is the best verb in the English language. 

God bless you all,
Pastor Derrell