Dear Fellowship Family,

If you’ve ever heard of a town called Point Comfort, Texas, then most likely, your mom or dad worked for ALCOA. Growing up in small-town America was all I knew until my dad was transferred to London, England, where I attended high school - and met Jesus as my Savior. How grateful I am for God’s many blessings throughout my life, including the home in which I was reared.

God used the intentionality of my parents to pour into my sisters (also career educators) and me, a mindset of being strong and courageous. Each of us has faced a myriad of challenges throughout our lifetimes, yet our relationship with Jesus has been the stay that carried us through. It’s His character, the sense of His presence, and the knowledge of His Word that reminds us of what we know to be true and see lived out in our lives.

So, thinking about this year’s first edition of my Friday Reflections and about our shared goal of seeing Christ formed in our children made me wonder. Are there times we overlay onto them the knowledge we’ve gained and decisions we’ve made over a lifetime, expecting them to behave as though they’d benefitted from the same? Do we remind ourselves that they are children, have child-like faith, and don’t have the advantage of a lifetime of good and bad decisions? As we consistently ground them in God’s Word and teach about HIs character, may we move them closer to His heart for them. May they be assured that His plans are always the best.

One of my favorite books to recommend is Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker. It speaks to the many ways an earthly father can nurture his daughters to become strong women. I believe my dad did that for my sisters and me. He also represented the character of our heavenly Father, who tells us to be strong and courageous - reminding us to know His Word and be assured He’s always with us.  

Today is my birthday, and I thank God for Phil and Veva Marquette, whom God used to give me life. They were amazing parents, and I’ve missed them since they went to Heaven in 2008 and 2009. Yet, God is my Father who instructs me to be strong and courageous for His glory alone. Isn’t He good not to leave us on our own to do His good work? As we journey together, may we remember that our children are just that - children - who need us to raise them in God’s ways to be strong and courageous because He is always with them.

Humbled to serve Jesus and you,

Dr. Kathryn M. Teston

Head of School