The Value of a Moment
Carol Earley's Family Weekend Chapel Talk
Good morning Thacher family, it is a pleasure to be nestled with you in such natural beauty and calm on this Sunday morning. I think Chapel is a perfect complement to our Family Weekend. It gives us time to pause, to reflect, and to appreciate that life is a series of moments and that each one counts. My message today is entitled The Value of a Moment.
On January 15, 2009, Captain Chelsey Sullenberger “Sully” reported for work to pilot US Airways Flight 1549. What was supposed to be a routine flight from New York to North Carolina turned into a flight with major uncertainty. Two minutes into the flight, a huge flock of birds flew directly into the plane’s engines rendering both useless. The aircraft with 155 passengers and crew was now more than 3,000 feet in the air without power and slowly falling to Earth.
Thacher family, Captain “Sully” was a spiritual man and, I imagine after moments of shock, Captain “Sully” yelled out “Lord, Jesus, Christ help me” and a dialogue with the Lord ensued:
The Lord answered saying, “Sully”, be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, I the Lord thy God is with you, I will never leave you nor forsake you!” Deuteronomy 31:6
“Sully” the Lord continued, I will go before you and make all crooked places straight! Isaiah 45:2
Captain “Sully’’ reminded himself that God is omnipresent and wherever there is crisis, Christ is.
He had been flying airplanes for 42 years so, he knew the situation was perilous. Without any further hesitation, Captain “Sully” said “I was now confident I could solve it. I never thought I would die that day, I was just trying to make sure that no one else did. I wasn’t exactly sure at the outset what steps I would take but, I knew, I could synthesize my training and experience to adapt in a new way and get this problem solved right the first time.” Something divine occurred in that moment and everything shifted to an impossible outcome. Captain “Sully” landed US Airways Flight 1549 in New York’s Hudson River with all 155 passengers and crew rescued.
Thacher Family, what is ailing you, what is causing you to fall today? Whatever the case, call upon the Lord, He is no respecter of persons. He will and can deliver you, He alone will give you rest and peace that surpasses all understanding.
Think about it, in the 208 seconds of landing, Captain “Sully’s” entire being: Spirit, Heart, Soul, Mind and Body was stretched and pressed for the right outcome and guess what Thacher Family? That is the essence of The Thacher School. In the shadow of academic prowess, it is our student’s Spirit, Heart, Soul, Mind and Body that is shaped to withstand the intensity of life’s moments. A little over 3 years ago, our daughter (Faith Earley) now a senior brought The Thacher School into our lives. Since that time, our family has witnessed the positive transformation in every part of her and other Thacher student’s being.
Starting with the Spirit – the true you, the deepest part of one’s being: Thacher pursues building our students' character and supports them in making real connections. Our students are taught to live up to being their best and staying true to themselves even behind closed doors and in difficult situations.
The Heart - the core of one’s value system: Thacher leads and constantly etches into our students: Honor, Fairness, Kindness and Truth. Human values are reinforced and our students are empower to cherish originality versus chasing trends as they traverse life’s intricacies.
The Soul - the seat of one’s ambitions: Thacher says, “How much grit do you have?” Our students are encouraged to persevere and achieve their goals. Thacher introduces risks and allow challenges to build resilience and views failure as a stepping stone and not a permanent condition.
The Mind - place of thoughts and analysis: Thacher vigorously engage our student’s in traditional and non-traditional ways of learning and exploration. Our students are fueled to imagine (see beyond), inspired to be authentic, audacious and innovate.
The Body - our physical earth suit: Thacher’s required sports and outdoor adventures feeds our student’s physicality, teaches them to put team before self and fires them up to wipe the sweat off their brow, refocus and keep going!
Thacher Family, our students are nurtured to grow and sustain their entire beings: Spirit, Heart, Soul, Mind and Body. As they engineer and pilot their path; they will be stretched, pressed and may fall but, rest assured like Captain “Sully”; confidence, selflessness, thinking critically and leaning on their training will arise and their landing will be divine.
As I move to close, remember that life is a series of moments and that each one counts.
Until next time, God bless you!
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