How Wide, How High, and How Deep

I would like to start this blog by saying that after Jake attending 3 different schools...NO school is perfect. Having said that, I would like to add I LOVE the school Jake and Sam (and one day Molly) are attending, and seeing that this school loves Jesus I consider it quite near perfect. I was contacted by a friend and fellow UCS parent about an idea she had. She wanted the 1st grade class, as a whole, to do something for Sam in honor of Shane. I knew about the idea and kept it a secret from the kids for about 2 weeks. We were able to reveal that secret yesterday. After Muffins with Mom we took the children outside to reveal a Dogwood tree planted and dedicated in memory of their daddy. Sweet Sam had no idea, and he just smiled that sweet grin that he has. The bronze plaque didn't make it in time but just seeing the one that was placed on the rock started the tears flowing. The dogwood was so full and fresh looking. One of Sam's baseball coach's (Chris) just so happens to own a landscaping company, and just so happened to be the one to plant the tree. When asked what tree Shane loved, I shared that he loved Dogwoods and Weeping Willows. With the significance of the timing of Shane's death being on Easter weekend and the meaning of the Dogwood, that is what was chosen. The Dogwood has always been one of my favorites for the very reason of the legend that I was told about as a child:

In Jesus' time, the dogwood grew To a stately size and a lovely hue. 'Twas strong and firm it's branches interwoven For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen. Seeing the distress at this use of their wood Christ made a promise which still holds good: "Never again shall the dogwood grow Large enough to be used so. Slender and twisted, it shall be With blossoms like the cross for all to see. As blood stains the petals marked in brown The blossom's center wears a thorny crown. All who see it will remember Me Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree. Cherished and protected, this tree shall be A reminder to all of my agony."

Its also been said that no matter when Easter falls that the Dogwood will always be blooming, no matter how early or late Easter is. How appropriate.

Chris Lodge, friend and fellow UCS parent and minister, spoke at the dedication. He shared with our small crowd these verses: I pray that out of his glorious riches he my strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Eph 3:16-19 Chris had the privilege of knowing Shane and shared that one thing he knew for sure about Shane was that he wanted everyone to know the love of Christ. How fitting to share that scripture in reference to a true man of God and also the tree being dedicated to him. I can't wait to see that tree grow wide, high and how deep it grows. At the same time I am excited and anxious to see how wide, how high and how deep Jesus' love dwells in me, Jake, Sam and Molly and so many others impacted by Shane's story.

Shane had a heart for Unity Christian School and for what it meant to our children and our community. He loved knowing part of this schools mission was to grow the Kingdom. Our family has been loved on, prayed for and carried by our family at UCS. I'm not saying that other schools wouldn't have done this, but I am saying that this school is dedicated to our family and the passion that Shane had for Christ. While Shane was sick several classes made all 5 of us our very own prayer blankets. Each knot representing a prayer said for us. Jake's

class sent home written prayers for Shane. He was so touched that he could not read them himself, so I read them. When I was done reading them, he looked at me and said that was what Unity is all about. Fourth graders praying prayers that most adults wouldn't even know how to pray. My children and all the students have been able to walk this walk of faith with us and guided by Godly teachers, faculty and staff. Can't imagine being anywhere else.

Thank you Unity Christian school for loving us through this.