Sitting on my porch and eating a delicious orange is a small thing that brings me joy in life. World Impact’s Los Angeles Christian School (LACS) is in the business of producing mouth watering fruit! The story I want to share with you is sweeter than any fruit you have enjoyed. It is a story that brings me true joy as I think about it while sitting on my porch.
Dulce has been in our school for the majority of her young life. Growing into a sapling, Dulce made good choices like standing respectfully in a straight line as her second grade teacher walked her classmates into start their day, small acts of kindness, choices in work ethic, and owning her faith. Dulce’s everyday small choices didn't seem to matter much until her roots began to dig deeper. The older she got and the deeper she got, the terrain seemed to get harder and her delicate roots began to struggle. Her math work became harder and harder and her effort was not paying the dividends she expected. In fourth grade, one can say she went through a drought, lacking success specifically in the area of math. In fifth grade, although she was weary and exhausted she was determined to outlast this drought. And she did! Her roots dug deep enough to find springs of living water, both academically and even more spiritually. School was still hard, and she still encountered spiritual battles, but her roots had solidified and she would not be shaken down.
Middle School brought new seasons and those dreaded social dynamics! Dulce weathered the joys and pains of the middle school social structure. She weathered her storms and her trunk began to set. Dulce found that she could stand up straight with great poise, dignity, and she discovered her voice. She chose to use this new-found voice to lead her class with great maturity and respect even when her opinion was not the popular one. Not only has Dulce developed a firm trunk but her roots continue to dig deeper every year. Academically she is branching off and surpassing her classmates. Dulce is a thriving, vibrant, beautiful matured tree. Her everyday choices are what have developed her into a young woman who anyone would what want to be around.
Dulce’s final year at our school has been filled with affirmation and profound joy! She has been accepted to a prestigious private high school in Pasadena. This process brought new obstacles, but she stood firm and we began to see fruits. Love blossomed from her as she genuinely encouraged her classmates in the midst of her own stress. Joy burst from her as she celebrated her hard work, and her acceptance letter to a school no one would have ever dreamed of for her. Peace bloomed as she waited for her good Father to open the financial flood gates, and He did! Dulce’s is an example of the fruits of the spirit; her forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are a testament of what it looks like to remain in the vine.
LACS is always in the process of pruning, digging our roots deeper, and Dulce’s story is a testament that we too must remain in the vine to continue bearing fruits as Christian educators and as the body of Christ. Fruit is sweet when it is given the time to grow, nutrients to develop, and pruning for strength. Dulce is our sweet fruit who will in turn give nurturing strength to other budding fruit. She plans on serving God's Kingdom by going into the medical profession. For now I sit on my porch and eat my sweet orange and enjoy Dulce’s success.
