Blog
SHARKS!
March 04, 2026
A few years ago, when my husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, we took a bucket-list trip to Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas. I have always had a love and fascination with turtles and tortoises but had never seen a live sea turtle in the wild. I prayed this would be my chance.
And sure enough, we were informed by neighbors of the VRBO home in which we stayed that there was a sea turtle living at the nearby reef. My husband and I decided to swim to the reef that afternoon. The Caribbean waters of the bay on which our VRBO was located were crystal clear and calm like a swimming pool. The water is very salty, making for easy swimming and snorkeling. Even though the reef was a few hundred yards away, near enough for us to swim there and back, we decided, at the last minute, to take kayaks instead.
As we kayaked to the reef, what should we stumble upon but the sea turtle we sought. I was amazed and excited. I was so excited, in fact, that I thought I would jump out of my kayak into the water to swim with the turtle, but the water was over 20 feet deep at that point, and I was unsure how I would get back into the kayak without the ability to stand on firm ground and steady the wobbly boat. So again, at the last minute, I decided staying in the kayak was a wiser decision.
Just then, still following the turtle, I almost ran the tip of my kayak into two large reef sharks! Their silvery-gray skin and pointed fins were very visible as they broke the surface of the water, clearly feeding on small fish around the reef.
I was terrified! Although they were reef sharks, which are reasonably safe compared to something like a great white shark, my heart was pounding. I yelled, “Sharks!” and began paddling backward. In my haste, the kayak became very wobbly, so I had to steady myself and the boat, or I would have tumbled into the deep, clear water in the midst of the feeding sharks.
Never in my life have I been so grateful for last-minute changes. If we had swum to the reef as we originally planned, I would have been face to face with the large sharks. If I had jumped out of the kayak as originally planned, I would have been face to face with the large sharks. The kayak was small and wobbly, but boy, was I glad it stood between the sharks and me.
That afternoon, I was reminded that even our smallest decisions can matter more than we realize. My husband and I had our plans: swimming to the reef, jumping in the water, snorkeling with a sea turtle. But, thanks be to God, the day unfolded differently. Decision by decision, moment by moment, those little changes may have protected us from a very different encounter.
Scripture reminds us, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). Sometimes the Lord guides our lives not through dramatic interventions, but through what Scripture calls a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12): a quiet sense that perhaps we should take the kayak instead of swimming or stay in the boat instead of jumping into the calm water.
That day, God graciously allowed me to cross something off my bucket list. I finally saw a sea turtle in the wild, and it was as amazing as I’d imagined. But He also reminded me that even when we are chasing something beautiful, it is still wise to trust the Creator, who knows the waters ahead. In many ways, this is what we hope to teach our students at Christ Classical Academy of Charlotte. Life will take them into deep waters: places that are both scary and beautiful. Our prayer is that they learn to listen for the Lord’s guidance and trust that He is directing their steps (or their paddle strokes as the case may be) along the way. Because the Lord knows what lies ahead long before we do, and He can help us experience what is beautiful without swimming among the sharks.
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Head of School
You’ve Just Been Prayed For
March 04, 2026
I live in Concord, just off Poplar Tent Road. On Poplar Tent, there is a little church, and sometimes there is a man in a lawn chair in the parking lot. His head is down. He faces the busy road. Beside him is a sign reading, “You’ve Just Been Prayed For.”
This man has taken it upon himself, I imagine with a calling from God, to pray for people as they pass him. He has never met these people and likely never will. I have never met him. I’ve never even seen his face. But when I pass him and read his sign, I feel a little extra blessed. What a ministry.
At Christ Classical Academy of Charlotte, we are committed to creating a space for children and their families to feel the love of Christ every day. When I called Dr. Janet Ballard, former head of school at CCAC, and asked her to join me in this “You’ve Just Been Prayed For” ministry, she was ecstatic. Dr. Ballard is the Director of Spiritual Development at our school now. She prays for staff, students, and families, leads lower school chapel, and much more. We are grateful for her continued dedication to CCAC and to our mission, which is to be “guided by the presence of Jesus in attitude and action.”
So, starting today, March 4, 2026, you will periodically see Dr. Ballard, me, other staff, students, and/or families praying for you in the car line. If you have a special prayer request or concern, please feel free to email Dr. Ballard or me. You may also pull over and speak to us as we are praying.
Furthermore, everyone is welcome to join us! If you feel led to get out of your car and silently pray with us, please do! The Lord said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). Any gathering where the Lord has promised to join is where I want to be!
We won’t be there every day, but please know we are praying for you, even if we are not outside with a sign. Please also note that one of the parents at our school, Mrs. Leon (who also runs Finca Coffee), leads a group of parents committed to praying for CCAC on Thursdays at 4:00 pm. You are welcome to join this group in the coffee shop as well.
Scripture reminds us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Our prayer is that this small practice becomes a quiet reminder that God is always near, always listening, and always at work in our school and in the lives of our families.
Whether you stop and pray with us, join the parents’ prayer group on Thursdays, or simply drive by, may you go on your way encouraged, knowing that you’ve just been prayed for.
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Head of School
Patience, Perseverance, and Prada
March 04, 2026
I’m not embarrassed to admit it. I LOVE THRIFT STORE SHOPPING! My husband and I probably visit 5 thrift stores per week. I don’t remember the last time I bought a new article of clothing or new shoes for myself, because I can get them for about six dollars at Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Value Thrift.
Why do I love thrifting? For me, it’s about the “treasure hunt.” I have found genuine Armani pants for about five dollars, a Dior sweater for about the same price, and Miu Miu shoes for an unbelievable value. Likewise, Johnny Was, Eileen Fisher, Saks 5th Avenue, and other high end or designer pieces are occasionally available at the thrift store and, like any good Southern belle, I have a deep appreciation for designer fashion. But, like any good educator, I cannot afford it!
Thrift store treasure hunting is not an “easy” hobby. I may find two dozen true designer labels per year. Notice that I probably visit 5 thrift stores every week. That means I almost always leave the thrift store without the treasure I sought. There are many days that the hunt is unsuccessful and discouraging, and I’m resigned to giving up the hobby I love. But then, lo and behold, I find a Ralph Lauren Black Label and my determination is once again restored.
Isn’t this how life is? Don’t we face similar emotions in our jobs, families, and general daily circumstances? Just when we’re about to give up or change directions, something happens to excite and reinvigorate us again!
Thrift store treasure hunting reminds me of the words of the Apostle Paul: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
I’m sure you’d likely agree that most days, obedience, faithfulness, and perseverance don’t feel glamorous. Like rummaging through endless racks of used clothing, the work can feel unrewarding, discouraging, and even boring. We can do what’s right, get our hands dirty, and still often leave wondering if our hard work mattered at all. Scripture reminds us that the harvest isn’t immediate. In fact, it isn’t even guaranteed in our lifetime, and definitely not dependent on our timeline. But it is coming!
Just as the best finds appear when I least expect them, God often brings renewal, encouragement, or fruit just when we’re tempted to quit. The promise isn’t that the work will be easy. It’s that it will be worth it if we don’t give up.
So here’s to persevering; to hunting, rummaging, and putting in the hard work. Don’t give up. Don’t grow weary. In God’s perfect timing, the treasure will be revealed, and I can guarantee it will be far more valuable and exciting than a Prada handbag or a Chanel belt. These things are temporary, but God’s treasures are eternal, and they are always worth the effort.
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Head of School
Orphaned Lambs
March 04, 2026
You were redeemed . . . with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Maybe you’ve heard this story. I’ve seen it on various websites and in devotional booklets, so I’m not even sure of its origins, but it’s worth repeating.
In New Zealand, large herds of sheep are led by shepherds who have learned how to solve a very specific problem. During that time of year, when ewes give birth to lambs, it occasionally happens that a ewe dies in childbirth, leaving a lamb motherless. In the same herd, a lamb may be born dead or die shortly after birth, leaving the ewe childless.
In the past, the shepherds tried giving an orphaned lamb to a childless ewe, hoping she would accept it as her own, nurse it, and care for it. This plan did not succeed. It seems ewes recognize their own lambs by scent, so sensing the orphaned lambs were not their own, they rejected the babies, leaving them to die if not for intervention from the shepherds.
So, the shepherds tried a different tactic. They took the blood of the dead lambs and smeared it on the orphaned lambs. After the blood of her natural born lamb covered the orphaned lamb, the ewe would adopt the orphan, feeding and caring for it as her own.
Wow! It’s a striking picture, and one that helps us understand the gospel.
God has only one natural-born Son: Jesus Christ. Scripture describes Him as “a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19).
Scripture also describes us as sheep who have gone astray; sinners separated from God (Isaiah 53:6).
Because God is perfectly holy, sin separates us from Him:
“Your iniquities have separated you from your God.” (Isaiah 59:2)
But God, in His mercy, had a plan.
Colossians 1:21–22 explains it this way:
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.
And John 1:12 declares:
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
Jesus, the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11), laid down His life for the sinful sheep. Through His blood, we are reconciled to God. Covered by Christ’s righteousness, we are no longer rejected outsiders, but welcomed and adopted as God’s own children.
Apart from Christ, we remain separated. But through the blood of God’s one and only Son, we are brought into His flock to be loved, and cared for as His own children.
This is one of my favorite illustrations of why Christ died for me while I was still a sinner. God did not have to provide a way for us to be reconciled to Him, but He did because He loves us and wants a relationship with us. Thank you, Father, for making the ultimate sacrifice so that I could be called Your child.
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Head of School
Things Kids Say
December 10, 2025
When I was an early childhood administrator, I kept a running log of “Funny Things Kids Say” to share at the end-of-the-year graduation ceremony. These “funny things” included statements like, “I don’t eat chicken. That’s why mommy gives me dino-nuggets.” and “I don’t have any pets. I have a baby sister, but I’d rather have a puppy.”
Kids are funny, right? Unfortunately, just like all of us fallen humans, they’re also sinners in need of God’s grace and forgiveness. For example, I once had a child threaten, “I will beat you with a belt. I wish to lash you until you cry!” because he had to wait his turn to use a fun classroom center. I had another student repeatedly and loudly call me a name (that I will not repeat here) because I did not allow him to throw objects at his classmates.
As Christian educators, we are called to shepherd the hearts of all children and integrate faith learning into daily teaching. Yes, we laugh at the funny things kids say, and we are hurt by the harsh statements, knowing that “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). But I have to share something . . . I cannot remember the names or faces of those children who made me laugh with the above statements. I do, however, remember the names and faces of those who demonstrated their hearts were full of violence and hatred. I still think about and pray for these children often, hopeful that they have replaced the ugliness in their hearts with the goodness and love of Christ.
You see, that’s what it’s all about. Yes, we are here to teach reading skills, historical facts, the scientific method, mathematical equations, and other academic standards. But let’s face it—students can learn these things in public schools, homeschool, or even with a quick Google search or by asking ChatGPT. The teachers at CCAC know we are here for more than just imparting knowledge to students. We are here to help them fill their hearts to the point of overflowing with joy, goodness, and love.
How do we do this? It’s not easy.
First, all lessons are taught through a biblical worldview lens. In other words, the Bible and its truths are integrated into everything we teach. Therefore, science is taught through the lens of a Creationist viewpoint. Reading and writing are taught as means of communicating what God has done for us. Even our wonderful math teacher teaches the students about the order created by God, upholding the mathematical concepts taught through our curriculum.
Second, and probably more importantly, we “teach Christianly.” To put it another way, we love our students because God loves them, we love God, and everyone is created in His image. Does this mean we’re perfect? No. We are human. We get tired. Sometimes we’re teaching in loud classrooms, on long, hot days, with short-tempered kids and no coffee. But frustration is not the tone of our school. Moments of weakness are not our pattern—they are the exception. When they happen, we repent, reset, and restore. Why? Because our calling is to reflect the grace and truth of Christ, even when it’s hard. Repentance, forgiveness, and restoration are in His plan for us, and we want to demonstrate these concepts for our students as well.
Ultimately, what we want for our beloved students is not just academic learning, but right hearts. We want them to develop hearts full of love, joy, compassion, kindness, empathy, grace, peace, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Jesus said, “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks,” and if we want our students’ words to reflect kindness, grace, and truth, then we must help them fill their hearts with these things. We do this not only through what we teach, but HOW we teach.
My guiding prayer is, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). This prayer reflects the daily, holy work we do here at Christ Classical Academy of Charlotte: we teach, we love, we laugh, we shepherd hearts, we succeed, we fail, and we model grace, repentance, and forgiveness so that, by God’s grace, what overflows from our hearts (and eventually from theirs) will be beautiful and pleasing to Him. We’re grateful for your partnership as we pour truth into our students’ hearts, prayerful that what is good and pleasing to the Lord will one day gush forth from their mouths with joy and with love.
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Head of School