This post was written by Compass Rose’s campus chaplain, Pastor Amy.

This morning in chapel, I asked students the following question: When were you the happiest?

One student spoke of spending time with his surrogate nieces and nephews because, in his words, “I finally felt like I had a real family.”

One student said he experienced the most happiness when a man from his church shared that he had gone through a similar trauma. The student told me, “I realized if he could heal, maybe I could heal.”

We remember that Christ came to save us. But Jesus also came for another reason: to give us an abundant life. Jesus said, “I have come so that you may have life and have it to the fullest.”

Many of our students have been in survival mode for so long that they forget life can be good. 

Often, life can throw us into survival mode as well. 

Last night, I bathed the kids, wrangled them into diapers and pajamas, read “Big Red Barn” five times and said prayers. I needed to be up early for chapel and my patience was running thin. I kept thinking of all the things I had to check off my list before my head could hit the pillow. As I quickly tried to put our son down, he said to me, “Mama, I want to hold you.” It stopped me in my tracks.

There, in front of my eyes, was the Abundant Life. I almost missed it. I too had slipped into survival mode.

Jesus said the Kingdom of God is at hand: right now, all around us. As we stare in wonder at the falling snow, hold our children or receive a call from an old friend, Jesus is saying to us: “This is the abundant life! Recognize my Kingdom! Allow my Joy to fill your heart!”

Life can be good. Lord, give us eyes to see.

To learn more about how Compass Rose Academy can help you and your teen recognize your own abundant lives, contact Compass Rose Academy today.