“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14 NIV).
Watch a group of children and within minutes, you will be able to witness distinct characteristics about each child. Some may be very serious and others will be very jovial; several may be athletic or academically focused, while a few will be dancing on a table with a lampshade on their heads and singing. Each of us has very distinct characteristics, but one trait that no one else can copy or reproduce is our fingerprint.
Oakland County Sheriff Officer Tim Hein joined St. Matthew, Westland students during a chapel service at St. Matthew, Walled Lake to explain the concept of fingerprints and how detectives utilize fingerprints to help identify items that others have touched. Utilizing a special powder and brush, Officer Hein was able to demonstrate how to locate fingerprints on a mug and determine who had recently touched that item. The students discovered that the mug was not only covered with the fingerprints of those who have touched the mug but ALSO with the fingerprints of the person who created and molded the mug.
Scripture states in Psalm 139:14 that each of us is “fearfully and wonderfully made.” That means that God created each of us in the way that He felt was best. Since we are God’s creations and He made us, we are covered with His fingerprints.
When we do acts of kindness as a response of our faith and we touch others with Jesus’ love, we leave our Christian fingerprints on others as well.
In mid-October, despite the rain and chilly weather conditions, St. Matthew 6th through 8th graders had an opportunity to leave Christian fingerprints on thousands of boxes of donated goods as they loaded train boxcars in Detroit for Lutheran World Relief. Donated items such as quilts, school supplies, and layettes were boxed up with the intent to be sent around the world for use in designated communities.
One of St. Matthew’s major priorities is to provide our students with opportunities to live and grow their faith. We rejoice how the Holy Spirit blessed this endeavor and used the students to further His kingdom!
