Sunday Seven

Sunday, May 21, 2023

As the school year comes to a close, I want to share a few observations with you. 

1 - I didn't force friendships with the parents of my kids' friends. I'm doing the opposite of what I used to do. I'm allowing friendships to happen slowly. Slowing down allows me to see what sticks. 

2 - We prayed fiercely and daily for the kids' teachers, school staff, and the kids. God is so good and faithful to hear and answer us. 

3 - I saw each one of the kids work through difficult matters. I saw growth. I saw them flourishing. I also saw discouragement and the like. That's when the love and nurture of family kick in with steroids. 

4 - The older the kids get, the more I am reminded of the importance of prayer and the study of the Scriptures. We spent some intentional time doing that during the school year. Academics are important. Godliness is where the real gain happens. 

5 - The more the kids grow, the less access we have to visit their school. We enjoyed our kid's last year of elementary school. I enjoyed going and having lunch as well as other special events.  I'm not part of the "don't grow" camp. I believe growth is a necessary blessing. I rejoice and marvel at it. I enjoyed each year that was. I have hope for what's to come.

6 - The fruit doesn't fall too far away from the tree. I say this because if you watch my kids, you see me. That's both encouraging and scary. When I heard of the behavior some of the kids' peers were displaying, I thought about where they could have possibly learned it. I tremble at the fact that my kids are the same way. More is caught than taught.

7 - I'm grateful to God for education. I never expect the system to be perfect. I expect God to be. I expect Him to be faithful to His word. My full trust and hope is in Him. I'm glad to be in a community where education is taken seriously. Opportunities are available. Shinning and succeeding are not reasons for punishment but encouragement. It's not like that everywhere. I'm grateful it is the case here.