Moments, Milestones, and Memories: How God Uses These to Shape Us
If you were to sit down today and write out your Top 10 all-time memories, (and I encourage this for a dinner time conversation) what would make your list?
Maybe it’s a big moment, like a graduation, an amazing vacation, a championship win, or the day you gave your life to Christ. Or maybe it’s something smaller, a meaningful conversation with a teacher, the first time you really felt seen by a friend, or a moment in which you stood up for something that you are passionate about. I believe that each of these memories can be more than just a mental snapshot, they can be experiences that truly shape the person we are and are still becoming.
At FRCS, our prayer is that every student gets to experience life-changing moments, meaningful milestones, and lasting memories. God can use all three to form students into men and women who will impact the world for Christ. And while grades, athletics, and achievements are worth celebrating, we believe the true win is developing culture makers for Christ—students who desire to shape the world around them with faith, courage, integrity, creativity, eloquence, humility, diligence, firmness, love, and balance.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites would often build altars or pile stones to mark significant moments when God moved in their midst. These physical markers were called “Ebenezers,” meaning “stone of help” (1 Samuel 7:12). They were reminders to the people that God was with them. I often think of this reference on hikes in Colorado. You will see cairns to help navigate your way when there is not a proper or defined trail. You know that people have gone before you and can help you remember the way.
Milestones in our lives serve a similar purpose. Whether it’s the first time on a sports team, being a part of a performance, leading a chapel, or simply choosing kindness when it’s hard, these milestones aren’t just accomplishments, they are moments when we begin to see ourselves the way God sees us, believing that we can do and experience more than we ever thought possible.
Memories are powerful. Both the beautiful ones and, yes, even the brutal ones: not making the team, not getting the part, having a friendship evolve differently than you wanted, the list can go on and on. God uses both our victories and our struggles to shape us and remind us of who He is.
When students at FRCS look back on their time here, we hope they remember more than just facts and figures. We hope they remember who they were becoming. Through the moments of joy, the milestones of growth, and even the tough memories, we hope that they can see that God was faithful and was shaping them into people of character, compassion, and courage.
After spring break, the pace of life often feels like it hits fast-forward. We start looking ahead to final exams, summer plans, and graduations. While all of that is good, one of the greatest challenges for students, parents, and staff alike is staying present in the moment. Our hope is that, at FRCS, we can create space for moments that matter. There are so many exciting events, activities and connections waiting to happen (remember you are welcome and invited to them all!). As we move through these final months of the school year, let’s not miss the moments right in front of us. Let’s encourage our students and ourselves to stay present, to reflect on how far we’ve come (partnership is a team effort!), and to look for where God is moving right now. These are exciting times.
Because years from now, when students write their top 10 memories, we hope FRCS is on that list, not just as a place they went to school, but as a sacred space where God began transforming them into who they were meant to be.
