“What are you thankful for?” asks a display window at our campus library. In the window is a painted tree surrounded by paper leaves in varying shades of yellow, orange and red. Students get a paper leaf and write down what they are thankful for, then tape it in the window.
David Ledo, a junior, simply put “babies.” David and his wife Abby are expecting their first child in April 2018. Freshman student Hannah Baumgarten received a financial blessing from participating in this semester’s Great Commission Project. That contribution covered her school bill for the semester.
However, the display window is not the only opportunity for the campus to publicly give thanks. Psalm 100 tells us, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” The Tuesday before Thanksgiving break the students, faculty and staff were given a chance to do just that in a special Thanksgiving Chapel where everyone shared their blessings and offered their thanks to God for all He has done.
Charlie Goodman, dean of student affairs, organizes chapel speakers and guests. “I enjoy hearing what God is doing and has done throughout the year in students’ lives,” said Goodman.
Sam Gilbreath, a senior, is thankful for his faith. “I’m thankful for God’s calling on my life and Him daily working on me to bring me to where He wants me,” said Gilbreath.
Robin Fisher is a freshman student and her husband Matt Fisher is a sophomore. They have three children. “I’m thankful for my kids,” said Robin Fisher, “and that their school promotes faith.”
For C.J. Machniak, giving thanks means recognizing the good in a tough situation. “I’m thankful that I have a job at the school that is within walking distance,” said Machniak, “because I blew the motor up on my truck. So that’s a blessing.”
Psalm 9:1 says “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” The students at Clear Creek embody that verse as they share their blessings and their trials at what God is doing.
We would like to say thank you from our students, faculty and staff. We are thankful for you, your prayers and support.
Leah Simpkins is media and publication’s assistant at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College.
Leah Simpkins