We had a momentous day this past Palm Sunday. We went outside. We said a few words. We sang. We prayed. And we planted:
I’m a person who can’t quit—especially on a good metaphor!—and I’ve been thinking about the significance of “planting” our new school sign. What sort of things do we plant?
To begin with, we plant trees, seeds, and gardens. My son Fletcher planted those plum-colored dianthuses under the sign this past week. We plant trees for shade, seeds for beauty, and gardens for nourishment. All three are true of a well-planted school. Like a tree, it provides a place of rest and contemplation. It makes a home for students in great books, foundational truths, and a story where they are known by their Maker. A school fostering the unique beauty and talents of students. It provides food for hungry souls.
My friend Phil reminded me this week, “Planting is such an uncertain time: fragile, without results, and yet hopeful in working, waiting, and watching how the Lord of Providence unfolds life before you.” True in a garden—true in a new school as well.
Moving out of the literal to more figurative uses, we also plant our feet. In the world of sports, we are always talking about our plant foot. The plant foot provides a foundation for action. Its job is to stay put—to be immovable. In fact, if it does move, it’s a problem—just ask a place-kicker! A school cannot be shifting sand. It must provide a firm foundation of timeless truths drawn from the Word that enable students to act with courage and conviction in the present.
Historically, we have also planted flags. Flag-planting is a kingdom act: “We claim this land in the name of King So-and-so!” Certainly, The Oaks Academy is staking a claim on Washington: “This city belongs to King Jesus! It is ours to explore and delight in, to be fruitful and multiply together here! It is ours to bless and love and cherish and to shine upon!”
The planting of a sign, just like the planting of a flag, is just the beginning. It’s meaningless if it isn’t followed by a campaign. And what better offensive to launch on a community than one of Christian courage, curiosity, and creativity? Today it’s on the sign, but our hope is for The Oaks Academy to become plantatio Domini in reality—“the planting of the Lord”—a place where students grow into “oaks of righteousness . . . that He may be glorified” (Isa 61:3).
Camp Bakewell coming this Summer!
It’s official. Camp Bakewell is a go. All the info is in the flyer below, but here’s the short of it: I’m leading two separate cohorts of bakers through all the basic food groups: bread, croissants, scones, pies, and cookies. We will bake, we will laugh, we will sing, we will chat, we will get our hands dirty and our shirts covered with flour. And hopefully at the end, we’ll have some great things to eat and share with our friends.
If you live in Washington and your kids are looking to grow as bakers this summer, let me know! Spots are limited and are already going quickly, so email me!
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