McAlder Blog

I was recently in a meeting in my office when, without warning, Mrs. Kyllo, our amazing school counselor, appeared in the doorway with one of our students. With a big smile she exclaimed, “Mrs. Blocher, we just found the first sign of spring! There’s a little bud in the garden boxes where we planted the tulip bulbs last fall!”

Those words stayed with me long after the meeting ended.

Months ago, those bulbs were carefully planted in rich soil, prayed over, and buried deep beneath the surface. They were a tangible symbol of the seeds we, as a staff, desired to plant in our students, classrooms, and community this year—seeds of faith, character, curiosity, and growth. Then summer faded into fall, fall into winter, and the long, dark, rainy days set in. The bulbs were out of sight and, honestly, out of mind.

Until they weren’t.

Without fanfare or attention, something had been happening underneath the surface. Roots were forming. Growth was taking place. And at just the right time, life pushed its way up into the light.

Isn’t that so often how God works?

Paul reminds us that God is always at work, even when we cannot see or feel it: “...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 1:6). Growth doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it happens quietly, faithfully, slowly, and hidden beneath the soil of obedience and faith in Him. Yet God is moving, directing, and orchestrating details in His perfect timing, bringing what He has planted to life.  

This month, as we continue our journey through Ephesians, we turn our focus to chapter five and the call to walk in light and love. Paul reminds us that “you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light,” (Ephesians 5:8). Our faith is not only something we believe—it is something we live out daily through our words, our choices, and the way we love and care for one another.

We were able to see this lived out recently during Honors Chapel as we celebrated students for Academic Excellence, Spiritual Formation, Leadership Development, and Personal Character Development. These moments are always deeply meaningful as we gather with families to celebrate the hard work, growth, and accomplishments of our students. They are reminders that God is at work in hearts and minds, often long before the fruit is visible.

As we notice the first signs of spring on campus and look ahead to midwinter break on February 16 and 17, may we be encouraged by the truth that God is always working beneath the surface. The seeds planted in faith, in learning, and in love are growing! And in His perfect time, they will bloom.