The sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord is taking your master away from you?” 

Then he said, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.” 2 Kings 2:3 

The idea did not sit well with Elisha. His master, his mentor, Elijah would soon be called home to be with the Lord forever. Then, Elisha would be the one to lead God’s people out of their stubborness and unbelief and back into faith. The thought of no longer having Elijah to lead must have left a certain amount of foreboding in Elisha’s mind. 

And so, Elisha longs to cling to Elijah. Despite his master’s intent to leave Elisha behind, Elisha persists in following him to Bethel and then to Jericho and then to the Jordan River. All along the way, young prophets of God come out to remind Elisha that the Lord is coming to take his master away. Elisha’s response to them is always the same, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.” 

Elisha knew that he could not dissuade the Lord from taking Elijah away. But he also knew to make the last moments with Elijah the best moments he could. He would find joy in being with his master. This was not a time to dwell on what he would soon lose. This was a time to make the most out of their last moments serving together. 

On Tuesday, January 9, I announced to the Church Council and the School Board that I will be retiring at the end of the school year. The need for me to attend to matters concerning the health of my 93-year-old father, matters in Christine’s family estate, and matters of my own personal health have led me to return my call at the end of this school year. The church leadership is aware of the depths of the levels of these concerns. 

The reason why I chose to share these minutes from the life of Elisha is to remind us all that the time has not yet come to concern ourselves with my leaving. Yes, the decision has been made. Yes, the day will come when I will no longer be in service to Immanuel Lutheran School. But that time has not yet come. To bemoan it now is a bit premature. 

Now is the season for service and work. In the next few months, there is much to be done on preparing the path for accreditation. There are some 85 days of lessons to prepare and deliver before the school year ends. There are meetings to prepare for as we work together to decide the future of all of our ministries at Immanuel. This is no time to consider our losses. This is time to keep pushing forward and making gains. 

I am retiring. “Yes, I know. But don’t speak of it.” Rather make the most of our service together while it is day. 

Frank Van Brocklin 

Principal Teacher 

Coming up this week at Immanuel Lutheran School:

❖ Our Spirit Week winds down with our career day dress and school color dress. We are preparing our school spirit for participating in the NLHS basketball tournament on Saturday. 

❖ No bus service will be provided on Friday, January 19. 

❖ On Monday, January 22, students who are signed up will receive their dental sealant.

❖ Our next faculty meeting will be on Tuesday, January 23.