10/25/21 Principal's Note

By -

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, impacts many people, especially in places like Wisconsin that experience drastic changes between seasons. In case you haven't heard of SAD before, Mayo Clinic defines it as, "A type of depression that's related to changes in seasons" (Mayo Clinic website). Most people with SAD experience symptoms from fall through winter, and one of the main reasons is because we have less sunlight during those times of the year. God gave us the sun for many reasons, one of which is that a beautiful, sunny day makes us feel good!

Now that the seasons are changing, it's easier to notice how darkness has crept into our mornings. Those of you who see me greeting you at the door in the morning maybe have noticed that I don't have to squint into the sun quite as much, and no, it's not because I finally remembered to wear my sunglasses. With the sun rising later and later every day, those who are affected by SAD may start to feel a little less spring in their step.

There is another type of darkness that causes (or should cause) us to feel downcast: the darkness of sin. Even the most wonderful of God's blessings to us here on earth are tainted by sin's shadow. This darkness doesn't change with the seasons; it's always there. If you've ever tried to think back over all the sinful thoughts and actions you committed in just one day, you have either found out how impossible it is or you have been heartbroken by the number. 

Thanks be to God that we don't need to wait for spring to come around to feel better about our sins! The apostle John, at the beginning of his gospel, wrote, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5, NIV). Jesus is that light, and he has beaten back the darkness of sin. If you know about physical light and darkness, you know that light always chases away darkness; it's never the other way around. Jesus has chased the darkness of sin out of your heart and replaced it with the light of his Good News, that you are a forgiven, blood-bought child of God. So this fall and winter, be understanding when people seem a little "off" while we struggle through the lack of sunlight, but be the first to remind them that their Savior is with them through it all!

Have a blessed week, everyone.

In Christ,

Principal Bill Fuerstenau