It takes eyes of faith to see what’s happening when your blessings also feature hard work.
Nowhere is this more evident than in parenting. One minute you’re changing diapers and coaching “Yes, Mama” on repeat; the next minute your head is spinning while that same baby receives a diploma. In the middle there’s a lot of mundane blessings…and some blessings that don’t feel like blessings at all. But what is the stuff of life, anyway? What takes them from diapers to diplomas, quickly or otherwise?
Two of the most harrowing experiences I’ve had in my life have come upon me suddenly when I thought I might have lost my son. Both turned out to be false alarms (and even a bit humorous in hindsight) but the feelings of the moment were true enough. And in those terrifying moments, I missed the little things that make life what it is. Life is a big mess of little things a lot more than it is filler around the big things.
Education is no different. Each book or test or drill is important in the moment, but in the end it’s but one proverbial drop of water over a pebble in a brook. And water is powerful stuff. Water can cut channels in granite if given enough time and volume. By the effect of the water and the friction of its neighbor rocks, a stone is divested of rough edges, being made smooth and useful. Pebbles and water shape one another. And still, though water flowing in a creek seems peaceful enough, it may be shaping mountains.
Likewise, it’s helpful to consider what’s actually happening when you send your kids to school.
They learn from books, but they also develop a worldview.
They learn to play on a team, but they also learn to live in fellowship.
They learn skills, but they also learn sturdiness.
They learn how to be good at things, but they also learn how to be bad at things without crumbling like a dry cookie.
Is it any wonder that it’s hard?
I’m praying for our teachers to have eyes of faith to be able to see all the good that is represented by all the hard we experience day by day. It is helpfully-orienting and gives us encouragement to keep going.
It’s my prayer for you all, too, as you start the school year. I’m praying that this would be a banner year for your family as you and your children take a great leap forward in your own faithfulness. And may the whole ECS community be used by God to effect this.
I’m looking forward to a fantastic school year.
Risus est bellum!
Jonathan