They will not labor only to receive nothing, and they will not give birth to children doomed to disaster, for they will be offspring who are blessed by the Lord, and their descendants will be with them. Isaiah 65:23 

The contrast struck me abruptly. A few minutes earlier at our state teachers’ conference, I had been sitting in Pastor Zahn’s breakout session soaking in the truths that resiliency for the Christian life comes from clinging to the promises of God. And after those few minutes had passed, Pastor Zahn disclosed in his devotion for the conference that our Lord had called home his daughter, in her twenties, just a short time earlier. Having a daughter in her twenties, compassion instantly overwhelmed me bringing me to tears. I could not imagine the depth of mourning that would flood over me if something were to happen to Taylor. 

All children born to this world are children doomed to disaster. From conception, all children are infected with sin. And sin eventually ends in death. Some succumb to death even before they are born. Some as infants, some as teens, some as young adults. And when our children die before we do, the unnatural nature of death becomes far too real. Our minds race with a million and one questions of “Why, oh Lord? Why?” 

But the answer our Lord provides in scripture does not address personal questions of why did this happen. When the Lord chooses to end an individual’s time of grace is not covered in some divine formula in the Bible. Focusing on such a question only leads to frustration or depression. Instead, the Lord answers our doubts and fears with the promise that He is the God of life. He does not will to have the sinner die. Rather, He calls to repentance and faith. He is not the God of children doomed to disaster. He is the God who calls His children out of death and into eternal life. 

So we prepare our children for the day when they will join the saints triumphant. We spare nothing of our time and treasure to assure that they have the one thing needful. We plant the Word of God deep in their hearts from infancy, so that it will shelter them in the storms of life. We daily entrust their souls to the One who called them into being. We lead them to Jesus: the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Then, should He call them home to His side, we have the blessed resiliency of knowing they are forever with the Lord. We stand on this promise of God. 

Blessings, 

Frank Van Brocklin 

Principal Teacher Immanuel Lutheran School 

News from Immanuel Lutheran School: 

❖ Student-led parent-student-teacher conferences will conclude on Thursday, November 9.

❖ I had a wonderful opportunity to speak with Stephen Kamps at the Wisconsin State Teachers’ Conference on Friday, October 27. The meeting went well with all of the right questions asked and answered. Continue to keep Stephen and Rachel in your prayers

as they deliberate on the calls extended to them to serve us as principal and ECM director. 

❖ Our next faculty and school board meetings will be held on Tuesday, November 14.

❖ Students dental checks will be conducted on Wednesday, November 15.

❖ Our second quarter student assembly will be on Tuesday, November 21. That is also an 

early release day with bus service provided. School will be closed for Thanksgiving break from November 22 through November 25. 

❖ The next Accreditation Steering Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, November 21.