LSMSA seeks applicants for full-time Director of Academic affairs position

The Director of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer (DAA) provides leadership and supervision of the teaching faculty and students while maintaining daily operations of the Office of Academic Affairs. 

The DAA directly supervises department chairs, the Registrar and Chief Articulation Officer, and the Academic Resource & Media Manager. They communicate regularly with students, faculty/staff and parents regarding the academic programs and services of the School and work directly with the Executive Director to successfully support the overall leadership and guidance of the School.

The DAA shall make sound and timely decisions by analyzing facts; reach logical conclusions by use of foresight and planning; work independently but seek help from the right source when appropriate; and respond promptly to safety and security concerns. As a School ambassador, the DAA will support the School’s mission and its students in both the context of the job and involvement in their extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.

Applicants should be dedicated to working in an environment that is highly focused on student development and support. Further, applicants should have a commitment to their own personal and professional development and have a desire to be a collaborative member of a team. 

The job description, duties, and required/preferred qualifications can be found here.

Salary range for this 12-month position is $105,000 – $115,000.

Application Process

Application review begins immediately and remains open until the position is filled.   Please complete the standard application form on the School website at LSMSA | Employment and attach it with a cover letter, resume, contact information for three references, and an official transcript from your final degree-granting institution to:  employment@lsmsa.edu.  Please submit your application as one PDF file that includes all the above if possible.

LSMSA is a selective admission, public residential high school located in Natchitoches, LA. LSMSA has a 40-year legacy of a preeminent college-level living/learning experience for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. LSMSA, located adjacent to the Northwestern State University campus, is a National Blue Ribbon School which, in 2023 and 2024, was rated No 1 for Best Public High School Teachers in Louisiana according to Niche.com and was named a World’s Leading Boarding School by Fortune Magazine in 2023.  

LSMSA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or age and prohibits such discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions online at http://www.lsmsa.edu/nondiscrimination

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reminds the public that increased water temperatures, storms, and extended cloudy weather can lead to fish kills in inland and nearshore waters across the state. These events are typically caused by low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia), which often occurs in warm water, since it has a lower carrying capacity for oxygen than cooler water.  Conditions such as stagnant water, heavy rainfall, decaying vegetation, or increased nutrient runoff contribute to hypoxic conditions—especially in shallow bayous, marshes, and ponds.

Fish kills may affect certain species or sizes more than others. For example, shad are sensitive to hypoxia, and are often the first or only fish that experience a fish kill, while some species, like gar, can breathe air and are resistant to hypoxic conditions. Other species have varying levels of tolerance to hypoxic conditions. 

While fish kills can temporarily impact recreational and commercial fishing, aquatic ecosystems in Louisiana are resilient and typically recover naturally. Even in large fish kills, some fish will find refuge from hypoxic conditions in the affected waterbody or connected waterbodies and survive. Scavengers and decomposers help break down fish remains, and most systems recover over time. If conditions remain favorable, fish populations often rebound after major kills within one to two years without the need for stocking, and young fish benefit from reduced competition and increased resources. However, fish kills caused by pollution or chemical spills can occur at any time and may require additional response.

Documenting fish kills in Louisiana, whether caused by natural or human-caused events, is important to responsibly manage fisheries resources. Please report any observed fish kill to LDWF so biologists can investigate and document the kill as soon as possible. For information on how to report a fish kill or more information about the causes of fish kills, go online to wlf.louisiana.gov/page/fish-kills.

The St. Mary’s Tigers have homefield advantage today at 6 o’clock as they play in the LHSAA Select Division IV quarterfinals in the East Natchitoches sports complex.

The Tigers, seeded ninth in the bracket, carry a 16-9 record into the contest against the No. 16 Central Catholic Eagles (18-15-1) from Morgan City.

Both teams upset higher-seeded opponents on the road in the regional round last week.

St. Mary’s “upset” wasn’t big on the seed line, as they beat No. 8 Vermilion Catholic – although VC was the defending state champion. Senior pitcher Trey Scarborough threw a three-hit shutout for the Tigers in a 5-0 victory in Abbeville.

Up U.S. 167 in Opelousas, Central Catholic pulled a shocker, toppling No. 1 Opelousas Catholic 5-3.

SMHS is bidding for its first state semifinal berth since the Tigers won a state championship in 2011 and reached the state finals a year earlier.

The Eagles have an impressive postseason resume this century, with 10 state semifinal berths, the last in 2024, and three state championships, the last in 2016.

One look at the Southland Conference baseball standings tells the story of what is on the line for the Northwestern State baseball team this weekend.

As the Demons prepare to open their final three-game, regular-season series at McNeese on 6 p.m. today, they are perfectly fine with knowing what’s ahead of them – until the game starts.

“The scenarios need to be discussed and need to be recognized, but once they say, ‘Play ball,’ you have to throw all of those numbers and scenarios and records out the window,” NSU head coach Chris Bertrand said. “We’re preparing for what we know is a very well-balanced team, a very hot team right now. A team that is coming off having the pitcher and the hitter of the week in our conference. They’re hot right now. We know they’re very well coached and will be very well prepared. We are preparing ourselves for what we know is, once you recognize what the scenarios are and what is out in front of you, you have to do a good job of saying yes (to it), but putting that away and preparing yourself for a well-prepared, well-coached, very balanced and hot baseball team. We have to answer the bell in that regard.”

In addition to today’s opener, the series also includes a 6 p.m. Friday night matchup and a 2 p.m. Saturday series finale. All three games will air on ESPN+ with radio coverage on 100.7 FM KZBL for the first two games of the series. The third game of the series will have free streaming audio available through www.NSUDemons.com and the Northwestern State Athletics mobile app, which can be downloaded free for Apple and Android devices.

For the Demons (25-21 overall, 16-11 in the SLC) everything is in front of them.

Northwestern enters the weekend with a mathematical chance to become outright Southland Conference champions. The Demons also could find themselves in the lower half of the bracket for the Southland Conference Tournament, which begins May 14 at the campuses of the top two finishers in the conference.

Northwestern sits two games behind conference-leading Southeastern Louisiana and one game behind second-place Lamar. The Demons do not own the tiebreaker with either team they are chasing.

“It seems like we find ourselves in these types of situation year after year,” Bertrand said. “It’s a matter of balancing it out. I’m proud of the situation we’ve put ourselves in to be in contention. I’m proud that there is still so much to play for. At the same time, we have to balance that with the idea that it still becomes, to some degree, about us in the way we go out and play, the way we respond to things that happen, the way we go out and know there is everything we want out in front of us. We still have to not allow that to be a distraction or to force us into a pressing situation. We still have to go out and play Demon baseball.”

Much of that success starts on the mound where the Demons lead the Southland Conference in ERA (4.38) and rank second in that category in league games only (4.55).

Northwestern will send right-handers Dylan Marionneaux (4-2, 3.64) and Kevin Robinson (0-3, 3.45) to the mound in the first two games, with the Game 3starter to be determined. McNeese will counter with left-hander Cooper Golden (2-4, 6.04), right-hander Eric Nachtsheim (6-3, 3.63) and right-hander Carlos Garcia (0-1, 3.21) in its rotation.

“There’s that element of balance,” Bertrand said. “We’re proud of the guys who have toed the rubber and had good performances and given us chances to win. Regardless of the results, I’m proud of the next-man-up attitude as we’ve battled some things. I’m proud of the fact that when our guys toe the rubber they fight and compete. Good performances and results come from pitching clean. When we pitch clean, when we execute pitches, when we get off the field with two outs, when we put the at-bat away when we get to two strikes, obviously, good things happen. We want those guys to have success and taste success, but what we also recognize is our responsibility in other phases of the game to complement them.

“We want the defense and the offense and the way we play to complement the great performance and the great jobs our pitchers have done throughout the course of this season.”

The Natchitoches Parish School Board concluded its May 5 committee meeting by discussing a wide range of operational issues, from traffic safety concerns to the first-ever student-led proposal for changes to the district dress code.

The second half of the meeting focused heavily on policy formalization, including a new handbook for middle school athletics and contract updates.

In an effort to bring structure to what Dr. Eloi described as the “Wild West,” the board reviewed a new 12-page Middle School Sports Handbook. Developed with input from coaches and Board Member Chad Fredieu, the document aims to align middle school sports with Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) standards.

Key features of the handbook include:

• Game Minimums/Maximums: Ensuring coaches play enough games to justify stipends while preventing over-scheduling.

• Gate Fees: Setting a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $7 to cover referee costs and equipment.

• District Championships: Reviving a formal district-wide competitive structure including local schools plus Red River and St. Mary’s.

• Coaching Certification: A proposal to require non-faculty coaches to be CECP (Coaches Education and Certification Program) certified to mitigate liability and health risks like heat stroke.

Board members expressed concern that the certification requirement might discourage parent volunteers. Dr. Eloi agreed to research whether the course could be taken virtually or if a local safety course could be substituted.

For the first time in recent memory, students are set to present a proposal to the board. The students, participating in a civic action project, are requesting that “spirit shirts” be offered in multiple colors (such as white in addition to the standard maroon at Central) to provide more variety within the dress code.

“I told them to start small—no cell phones or anything crazy—and learn the process of participating in civic action,” Dr. Eloi said. The proposal is expected to be formally introduced at the next full board meeting.

Financial and personnel updates included:

• Sales Tax Revenue: Finance Director Mrs. Dunn reported that March sales tax collections were down nearly 4% ($94,000) compared to the previous year. However, the district remains 1.3% ahead for the year and has collected 75% of its budgeted projections.

• HR and Retirements: HR Director Ramona Blander announced that the annual retirement party is scheduled for May 27. She also reminded the board of Teacher Appreciation events, including a leadership-hosted car wash.

• Head Start Transition: The board discussed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to transition services from “Save the Children” to “Prime Time Head Start,” the new grantee for the area.

The board also discussed several key contracts, including:

• Echo Ride: A bus contract update that incorporated 100% of the changes requested by the board’s attorneys.

• Food and Milk Bids: Approval of recommendations for the 2026-2027 school year, following an appeals hearing that upheld the disqualification of a non-compliant bidder.

Agenda items will be voted on at the full board meeting on Tuesday, May 12.

A stretch of unsettled weather is expected to move through the area beginning Wednesday, bringing multiple chances of showers and thunderstorms along with a noticeable drop in temperatures before a gradual warm-up into the weekend.

Rain chances increase significantly on Wednesday, with scattered storms possible in the morning becoming more widespread by the afternoon. Highs are expected to reach the mid 80s, with breezy conditions at times. Showers and thunderstorms are likely to continue into Wednesday night, with cooler air moving in after midnight as lows dip into the lower 60s.

Thursday will bring a marked cooldown, with highs only reaching the lower 70s under mostly cloudy skies. Rain chances remain in the forecast, though coverage will be more scattered. Cooler conditions persist into Thursday night, with lows falling into the upper 50s.

By Friday, temperatures begin a slight rebound, climbing into the mid 70s. Rain chances will continue through the day, with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible. Conditions remain mostly cloudy into Friday night, with a lower chance of rain.

Heading into the weekend, a warming trend returns. Highs climb back into the mid 80s on Saturday with partly cloudy skies and a continued chance of isolated storms. Rain chances decrease slightly Saturday night.

Sunday brings warmer conditions, with highs reaching the upper 80s and only a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms during the day. Rain chances increase again Sunday night as clouds build back into the area.

The start of the new week will feature a mix of clouds and sunshine. Monday carries a slight chance of morning showers before clearing in the afternoon, with highs in the lower 80s. Cooler overnight temperatures are expected Monday night, dropping into the mid 50s.

By Tuesday, conditions improve further with mostly sunny skies and highs in the lower 80s, signaling a brief return to more stable weather across the parish.

Proposal sparks discussion on experience, longevity, and the future of Louisiana’s courts

By Journal Staff

Voters across Louisiana will consider Amendment 5 on the May 16, 2026 ballot, a proposal that would increase the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75.

If approved, the change would allow judges to complete full terms—some as long as 10 years depending on the court—provided they have not reached their 75th birthday at the time of service.

A Shift Reflecting Longer Lifespans

Supporters of the amendment point to a broader societal trend: Americans are living longer and remaining professionally active later in life than when the current retirement limit was established decades ago.

Under the existing system, judges who reach age 70 are required to step down, regardless of their health, performance, or desire to continue serving. Proponents argue that this can lead to the loss of experienced jurists at a time when institutional knowledge and continuity are valuable to the court system.

Continued Service Beyond the Bench

Even under current law, many retired judges remain involved in the legal system, often serving in temporary or ad hoc capacities to assist with caseloads. Backers of Amendment 5 say the proposal would formalize and extend that opportunity, allowing qualified judges to remain in full-time roles longer rather than transitioning to limited assignments.

Broad Support Across Legal Circles

The amendment has drawn backing from various members of Louisiana’s legal community, including attorneys, judicial organizations, and others who cite the benefits of experience and stability on the bench.

Advocates emphasize that the proposal does not eliminate voter oversight. Judges would still be required to stand for election, meaning the public retains the ability to decide whether a candidate—regardless of age—should continue serving.

Considerations for Voters

As with any constitutional amendment, the decision ultimately rests with voters. Amendment 5 raises broader questions about balancing experience with generational turnover, as well as how best to structure long-term service in the judiciary.

Voters will have the opportunity to weigh those factors when they head to the polls on May 16.

The third day of early voting in Natchitoches Parish for the May 16, 2026, election concluded on Tuesday, May 5, with 182 ballots cast.

According to reports from the Louisiana Secretary of State, 173 voters cast their ballots in person, while 9 absentee ballots were processed during the day.

Voter Demographics

The demographic breakdown for Day Three includes:

• Race: 114 White voters, 63 Black voters, and 5 voters identified as Other.

• Sex: 102 Female voters and 80 Male voters.

Party Affiliation

Party participation for Tuesday showed a close margin between the major parties:

• Democrats: 76

• Republicans: 74

• Other/Other Parties: 32

Three-Day Early Voting Recap

Through the first three days of early voting, a total of 573 ballots have been cast in Natchitoches Parish.

Early voting continues through May 9, 2026 at the Natchitoches Parish Registrar of Voters office.

Louisiana U.S. House Elections Suspended; Early Voting for Local Races May 2-9

Natchitoches Parish Fair Board presents the 4th Annual City of Lights Crawfish Boil Cook-Off on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Natchitoches Fairgrounds. This family-friendly community event features live entertainment, a dedicated kids’ corner, and a competitive crawfish boil with all proceeds benefiting the Vincent de Paul Society.

WHAT: 4th Annual City of Lights Crawfish Boil Cook-Off
WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Natchitoches Fairgrounds
COST: $30 entry fee; children ages 4 and under are admitted free.

TEAM REGISTRATION: Teams may enter the cook-off for $400. Registration includes:

• Six wristbands per team.

• Crawfish supplied for the competition.

CONTACT: To sign up or for more information, contact Lynn at 318-332-0419.

See Natchitoches Parish on page 16.

Is there a phrase more terrifying to the modern grocery shopper than “UNEXPECTED ITEM IN BAGGING AREA”? (Except, perhaps, “ITEM REMOVED FROM BAGGING AREA.”) 

We’ve all been there: The panicked fumble, the furious (yet ultimately futile) pressing of the “clear error” button, the desperate eye-contact with the one store employee who is now also side-eyeing your entire existence. The worst part? The machine never understands your motivation. It doesn’t know about the snack craving, the mid-afternoon energy slump, or the urgent need for specifically this kind of chip. It only knows that something isn’t “registered” and now you’re the unexpected item.

Just… just give me the snacks, you heartless electronic demon.

The St. Mary’s girls golf team, which won a regional championship last week, finished third Tuesday in the LHSAA girls Division II state golf championships.

Sisters Lacey and Lilly Boyd tied for eighth in the individual medalist standings with 176 totals over 36 holes Monday and Tuesday at LaTriomphe Golf and Country Club in Broussard. That filled out the Lady Tigers’ two-player scorecard at 352. The third SMHS golfer, Janine Wells, tied for 25^th with a 224 total (114-110).

Academy of the Sacred Heart won the state title with a 305 team score. Newman was second at 342 and St. Mary’s edged Episcopal by one shot, 352-353, for third place.

Lacey Boyd shot 91-85 over the demanding course. Lilly Boyd’s two-day card was 87-89.

In addition to capturing four total conference championships, Northwestern State’s student-athletes delivered in the classroom as well during the 2024-25 academic year.

Northwestern’s 12 athletic programs combined for a 986 overall score in the NCAA’s annual Academic Progress Rate calculation, the program’s second-best score since the metric was devised in 2003.

The APR provides a real-time look at a program’s academic success each semester by tracking the progress of each student-athlete on scholarship. The APR accounts for eligibility and retention and provides a measure of each Division I team’s performance compared to its peers.

Overall, seven Northwestern programs notched perfect 1,000 scores in the metric -– more than double the number from the 2023-24 report. That cumulative success led to the 986 overall mark, which qualified Northwestern to receive the NCAA Academic Unit -– a financial incentive awarded to departments who post a score of 985 or greater.

It marks the first time since the 2022-23 report for Northwestern to qualify for the academic unit, which was first awarded in spring 2020.

“The performance of our student-athletes in their fields of competition and within the classroom emphasizes the dual nature of their titles,” Director of Athletics Kevin Bostian said. “Excellence in both competition and academics are core values of our athletic program, and this year’s APR report stamps our student-athletes as having achieved success in both realms. Having seven programs land perfect APR marks in the current state of college athletics is a remarkable achievement that reflects on both the hard work of our student-athletes balancing all of their myriad responsibilities and the impact of our student-athlete development staff, who have helped foster a culture of responsibility and success away from competition.”

The seven programs that collected perfect scores were baseball, men’s basketball, men’s cross country, softball, soccer, tennis and volleyball. The women’s track and field program posted its second straight 990 mark – an improvement of 19 points over its score from two years ago.

Both men’s cross country and tennis have posted multi-year rates of 1,000 after this report. Multi-year rates cover team scores across a four-year period.

In addition to those programs, five programs have produced multi-year rates of 975 or above: volleyball (989), soccer (985), baseball (977), softball (975) and women’s track and field (975).

RUSTON – Two-out runs were in fashion Tuesday night at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.

Homestanding Louisiana Tech fashioned those pivotal runs, while Northwestern State failed in nearly every opportunity.  The Bulldogs built an early lead and cruised to a 12-1 victory against the Demons in the third and final matchup of the season between the teams.

“Not very good baseball execution, but more than that, it was just an in ability to generate and hold any momentum,” third-year NSU coach Chris Bertrand said. “Early in the game, when we were still in it, I thought we had a chance to get some things done, and we couldn’t get it done. So we could never really generate and hold any momentum, and you mix that with essentially not pitching the ball great and not swinging the bats great and that’s what ends up happening.”

The Demons (25-21) delivered the first two-out salvo of the game when Ethan Menard lined a two-out double down the left-field line, and Joe Siervo followed with a run-scoring single to left-center.

Those were two of the three hits Northwestern recorded as three Bulldog pitchers handcuffed the Demon lineup in the seven-inning contest.

Louisiana Tech took the lead for good on a two-run double by Matt Houston that initially was ruled a catch by a diving Brooks Leonard with two outs in the first inning. The flare off of Carter White (1-4) was eventually ruled to have fallen for the go-ahead hit.

That began a stretch of three multi-run innings in which the Bulldogs scored a total of eight runs with two outs -– three each in the third and fourth innings.

While three of the first four hitters in the third inning reached via walks, the Demons retired the first two Bulldog hitters in the fourth inning before an Eli Berch double began a five-batter run of four hits and a walk that produced a second straight three-run inning for the Bulldogs.

It also stood in opposition to the Demons’ half of the fourth that started with a Siervo walk and a Michael McAloose single. The runners moved up when Siervo stole third and McAloose took second on a wild pitch, putting two runners in scoring position with no outs.

Luke Cooley (1-1), however, responded with consecutive strikeouts before Zach White lined out to a sliding Sebastian Mexico in left field to keep the Demons off the board.

“We found ourselves in opportunities offensively where all we really had to do was move the baseball, and we were unable to do that,” Bertrand said. “Sometimes, it doesn’t require a lot. It requires small things, and those small things generate momentum and allow you to hold it. Same thing, I think, on the pitching end of it. When you give up 12 walks and HBPs and walk the bases loaded, they get the benefit of scoring runs without having to move the barrel or move the barrel very little. There’s the momentum swings in the game, and the ability to generate momentum and hold it leads to crooked numbers, and there were crooked numbers all over the board.”

The Demons return to action Thursday when they open their final regular-season series of the year at McNeese. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Joe Miller Ballpark.

I was always told as a kid growing up that you are judged by the company you keep. In other words, it’s important that you choose your friends wisely. This is also important when it comes to tournament bass fishing.

In each tournament, especially multi-day events, it’s important to have the right guys in the house you’re staying in. Guys that you trust and have the same moral and ethical values as yourself. Anglers that will come to your rescue on and off the lake if you have a problem.

Over the years I have fished all over the South and I have chosen who I travel with very carefully. There are several traits that make good roommates on the road. First and foremost, you have to trust the people you’re sharing a house with. I’m not talking about stealing or tearing the place up, but a person who when he says something, you can trust he’s telling the truth. 

Some guys like to share information, but you must be careful and proceed with caution with the info you receive — even from the guys you’re staying with. There are anglers that will lead you astray and send you down a rabbit hole just to eliminate you from being in contention. 

Understand this, bass fishermen are a different breed of people and love nothing more than winning. Oh, we all hope everyone in the house does well, but rest assured, each one of us wants to win!

The next trait I’m looking for in a good roommate on the road is attitude. Nothing is worse than having a guy in the house that has a poor attitude or rubs people the wrong way. It can make for a very long week of fishing when there’s one guy who the rest of the house can’t stand.

There are some guys that are always negative and like to drag others down with them. Fortunately for me, I’ve never had that experience before. But that’s because I choose the guys I’m traveling with very carefully. 

The final thing that is very important in a good housemate is if he is financially stable. This can be a problem if one guy can’t pull his weight and pony up the money necessary to take care his share of house expenses. 

I’ve always said, “If you can’t afford the expenses involved in tournament fishing like house rent, food, boat gas, entry fees, insurance etc., then you don’t need to be fishing tournaments!”  

No one, and I mean no one, has been as fortunate as I have when it comes to great housemates on the road. I have never encountered one angler who I would  later think, “He’ll never stay with me again!” 

For the last 10 years the guys who have been a part of our road crew are Brett Hortman, Walt Stevens, Adrian James, Brennan Flick and Cole Garrett. These guys are as good as gold and guys that I have nothing but great respect for. Not one time have we had an issue with anyone in the house. I’ve also had the privilege of staying with Albert Collins and Clayton Boulware, who are both great anglers but even better people. 

We’ve all had some great tournaments and some that weren’t so good. But the one thing I always knew, I could trust each and every one of them no matter what. Whether it was fixing a flat tire or making repairs on our boats, I could always count on these guys.

I always felt that if one of us was in contention to win, the rest of the house would help in any way we could. Finding guys like these is hard today with so many anglers fishing selfishly. 

To wrap this up, if you’re a young angler and getting into tournament bass fishing, choose who you travel with wisely. It will give great peace of mind knowing that if you have a problem, one of your guys will go out of their way to help you. 

If you grew up in the 1960s, you probably remember a time when home appliances were built like tanks, weighed like tractors, and behaved like mischievous cousins who couldn’t be trusted. Ours certainly did. We had a refrigerator with only one big outer door, and inside that door—like a frosty little secret—was the freezer compartment. It was the kind of setup that made sense only to engineers who had never met actual children.

The top hinge of that refrigerator had screws that were, shall we say, “spiritually backslidden.” They were stripped, worn, and holding on by the power of prayer alone. If you opened the door too quickly or too wide, the hinge would give up entirely, leaving the entire refrigerator door hanging by the bottom hinge like a drunk uncle leaning on a lamppost.

And when that happened, it made a noise. A loud noise. A noise that said, “Someone is trying to sneak a popsicle.”

My mother, who possessed the hearing of a bat and the reflexes of a ninja, would shout from the other room, “Fix the door!” And we kids would scramble like we were disarming a bomb. Because in the 60s, you didn’t sneak snacks. You attempted them. And you were usually caught.

The tea pitcher lived in that refrigerator too, which meant that even the simple act of getting a drink of tea required the stealth of a Navy SEAL. The door could be opened quietly, but children in the 60s were not careful. We were loud, clumsy, sugarmotivated creatures who believed we were invisible as long as we whispered.

Looking back, that refrigerator door was more than a household hazard. It was a spiritual formation tool. It taught us patience, discipline, and the consequences of lukewarm commitment. Because if you approached that door casually—halfheartedly, carelessly—it betrayed you. Every time.

And isn’t that a picture of the Christian life?

Revelation talks about being hot or cold, but not lukewarm. Lukewarm is what happens when we try to follow Jesus casually, quietly, or only when we think no one is watching. Lukewarm faith is refrigeratordoor faith: it looks sturdy from the outside, but the hinges are loose, the screws are stripped, and the whole thing falls apart the moment life swings too wide.

But when we approach our faith with intention—with reverence, steadiness, and a little holy fear—we discover that the door holds. The hinges strengthen. The whole thing works the way it was meant to.

That old refrigerator is long gone, but the lesson remains: a life of faith can’t be sneaked into or stumbled through. It must be opened with purpose.

And if you ever doubt that, just remember: God hears everything. Even the sound of a kid trying to steal a popsicle.