Becoming Wiser

Dec. 16, 2005 - Good Enough

Good Enough My mom, Gabrielle, and I went to a community Christmas concert last night. It was enjoyable. There was a wide variety of "acts." Gymnasts, dancers, carolling, children's choirs, bands, etc. I must admit, though, I was disappointed about something. I've noticed over the last several years that the level of excellence at these types of events is rapidly deteriorating. It saddens me. I believe a large part of it is due to the way society has told parents not to expect so much from our children, not to put too much pressure on them, not to hinder their self-esteem, etc. Children these days do not know how to WORK, how to PUSH THEMSELVES to reach their potential. They are taught that if they want something, they can get it. They are taught to DREAM BIG! But they are not taught that sometimes the road is tough. Sometimes you have to CLIMB to the top and the climb is NOT easy. You have to push yourself, and when you feel like you can't take it anymore, you keep pushing. THE REWARD IS UNMATCHED! As far as I'm concerned, today's children are missing out on a great big blessing. I'm reminded of my grade 11 year. I had always found English EASY. I was great at whizzing off an essay without hardly any editing. We had been given the biggest essay assignment yet. I'll admit I did NOT do my best, but nonetheless, I knew it was a great essay. Well, weeks later, when our papers were returned to us, I was DEVASTATED when I found a big red "F" on mine. I couldn't believe it! I had never failed at anything! I KNEW, beyond a shadow of a doubt that my essay was far better than many of my fellow classmates'. After class, I went up to my teacher in tears and confronted him. His response was, "You can do better." He admitted to me that it was a good essay, but he knew I had the capability of writing an EXCELLENT essay. He gave me a chance to re-do it. I did, and I got an A+. Better yet, I think I received the most meaningful lesson of my entire school career. I respected that teacher more than any other teacher I'd ever had. He proved to me that he actually CARED about what I make of myself. He actually wanted to see me reach my potential. He wasn't just there to do his job because that's what he was trained to do. I believe it is the same with parents and children. When we expect the best from them - the best that they are capable of - then we will be telling them that we care about them. We care enough to go through the blood, sweat and tears WITH them because we do NOT want to settle for mediocrity. We do NOT want to raise children who are "good enough." We want to raise children who are GREAT! We want to raise the next generation of EXCELLENT leaders. Amen!

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Dec. 5, 2005 - Mothers Rule the World!

Why is it that society seems so blind to the huge role that mothers play in the shaping of the future? Why is it that most people today expect every woman to go to college to get a degree in something? Why is it that we are ALL expected to have great big goals and career dreams? Why is it that the term "make something of yourself" does not include being a mother? Is being a mother not the most honorable position one could attain? A mother is raising our future. A mother is responsible for teaching the next generation manners, hospitality, caring for others, and the list goes on. Without mothers, we'd be lost. Without mothers, we'd all be like strangers in the wilderness, fighting for survival. It is shocking to me that society does not see the connection between the increase in working mothers and the decrease in respect for authority and manners in today's children? Why doesn't anyone realize that mothers ARE VERY responsible for the state of our children? I am NOT saying that it is wrong for a mother to work outside the home. There are definitely cases where that is necessary. HOWEVER, my point is that a mother who does NOT work outside the home is just as respectable, intelligent, and working JUST AS HARD as one who has a career outside the home. Some people seem to think (especially Christians, actually) that if a talented and gifted young woman chooses to stay at home to pray for and support her husband and to raise children and take care of the house that she is WASTING all the wonderful gifts that God has given her. I BEG to disagree. I am gifted in music, writing, teaching, and many other areas and I do NOT believe that those gifts are being wasted. I thrive on using those gifts to teach my children how to worship and serve God. I have the time and energy required to train three children in ministry. When I was "using my gifts" in the TYPICAL, more respectable manner, by leading worship at church and serving in the hospitality ministry and other areas, I DIDN'T HAVE TIME to teach my children in those things. Is it not my JOB as a mother to do so? It's almost like I have three apprentices. Any tradesman would agree that they'd rather hire an assistant who learned as an apprentice than one who'd gone to college and book-learned the trade. This is how I see it. I feel that I'm investing in my children by pouring my gifts into THEM. This is FAR more rewarding than pouring my heart out twice a week to a large congregation who APPRECIATES my service but is not learning or growing through my giftings. Again, to clarify, I am not against a mother being involved in church or ministry outside the home. I am ALL FOR IT. AS LONG AS HER FAMILY IS NOT SUFFERING FROM HER ABSENSE. I don't want SOMEONE ELSE teaching my children how to worship or what I believe about God, etc. I want to be their primary influence. If I'm so busy giving to others that I can't give to my children, then I'm giving in the wrong areas. I feel CALLED to being a mother. I feel as strongly and as passionate about this as some people feel about being an overseas missionary or a politician or another career dream. Why can't others accept that? Why is being a mother always looked at as BENEATH other members of society? Why is it considered LESS of a career. It's THE MOST rewarding, MOST demanding, MOST time-consuming career on the face of the planet. I also like the fact that my children are seeing me minister in normal every day life rather than just at the church building. They come with me when I bring a loaf of bread to the new neighbor. They are there when a hurting friend comes for tea and cries on my shoulder. They see ministry in action, and they are also blessed to see the fruit of it. If all they learned of ministry was signing up on a volunteer list and showing up at church, they'd miss out, in my opinion. I want them to know that ministry is not an obligation to a church congregation. It's a way of life. I know I'm not being as clear as I'd like to be. I may come back and try and say this better in the future.

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