This week, I went around the school and asked our students and staff members about their favorite Bible verses. Mrs. Erica says that her favorite Bible verse is Matthew 6:33-34, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Mrs. Erica says that she struggles with anxiety and trying to control everything; it gives her peace to know that if she puts God first, she won't have to worry about anything else. Camden Roundtree says his favorite Bible verse, which is more common, is Romans 8:38, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose.” He says this verse helps him understand how God helps, loves, and values His people. Addy Velasquez told me her favorite Bible verse is Leviticus 20:26, “You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.” Addy says this was the very first Bible verse she ever learned, so it holds a special place in her heart! She also says that Leviticus 20:26 reminds her that the Lord can and has separated her from people who shouldn’t be in her life. 

Osheana Adams’s favorite Bible verse is also one from which she learned at school; Exodus 20:12, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Osheana says this is her favorite verse because it reminds her to honor her parents. Lastly, Mrs. Amy’s favorite Bible verse is Psalm 127:4, “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.” She says that this verse perfectly describes how she sees her own children and children that God has brought into her life through teaching. In her own words, “It reminds me that the time we spend teaching, guiding, praying over, and loving children really matters. What we’re doing now is shaping lives that will go far beyond us. It’s not just about today, it’s about what God is building for the future. I love this verse because it reminds me that children are a gift, not a burden, and that God is always at work, even when we cannot see the full picture. It encourages me to be intentional, to trust Him, and to believe that the seeds being planted now will make a lasting impact.” I have enjoyed writing this story; it has helped me better understand the people that I have interviewed, and it shows the things they are all passionate about.