Superintendent’s Blog – August 16, 2016

SUPERINTENDENT’S BLOG – August 16, 2016

PS 46:1-3,10 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. 10  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

These words are thousands of years old and they are meant for us today.  The Bible tells us that in this world we will have trouble, but we can take heart because He has overcome the world (Jn 16:33)!  This does not lessen the pain of loss, or make someone less tired, but it does tell us that we are overcomers.  We are builders and people who rise up.  Along with anxious moments and stunned looks with the loss of property, I have seen great love and strength.

Over the past few days I have witnessed families with extreme loss, disparate individuals quietly plodding on, and the heart of a community serving one another.  I witnessed up close the plight of a few of our families in Shadow Lakes subdivision.  After trying to prepare homes for the possibility of “some” water, we later found out that several feet of water came through.  One of those families hosted an Easter crawfish boil in their home for friends and family earlier in the year.  Who would know that this past weekend that same house would be in the middle of a swirling, muddy river.  This story has been repeated at least 200 times in our school family.  Each loss significant.

With this in mind, I heard an interesting story from Mrs. Martha Long, whose house also took on water (twice).  Mrs. Long was communicating with me concerning our school families at the same time her home was being threatened.  When we finally got to meet face to face this morning, she sat in my office and told me what Mr. Long had told her.  Through all of the damage he said our house may be damaged, but flood waters could never destroy our HOME.

This is a wise reminder that our life is much more than the sum of our things.  Our life is the sum of our relationships.  In that respect we grow continually richer.  We will be ok.  We will pick each other up.  We are Parkview Strong.

Don R. Mayes, Superintendent

Parkview Baptist School

**I am looking forward to seeing as many volunteers as possible tomorrow (Wednesday) and again Thursday at 9am. We have a long list of families that need assistance in their houses. We will meet in the courtyard.

If you are willing to bring or send supplies, that list can be found by clicking here – http://www.parkviewbaptist.com/2016/08/16/flooded-house-cleanup-and-volunteer-opportunities/