I recently watched young kids build a dam in a stream that was dumping into the ocean. They kept at it for at least an hour – stopping rogue leaks, expanding the mouth, raising the levels. There was no particular reason for or meaning in building the dam that tranquil day: it was just “child’s play.” Or, so I thought. Its significance took on deeper meaning by the fact that I happened to also be reading about the building of the Hoover Dam in The Emerald Mile, by Kevin Fedarko.
In the summer months of my growing up years, sitting in the shade of a tree or feeling the warm breeze of an oscillating fan, I spent many a long afternoon reading. Weekly readings were gathered from the school book club and from the local library (which required a weekly two and a half mile bicycle ride to fill my basket). Afternoons were filled with mystery, people of long ago, men and women who lived in the White House, and characters who, by their adventures, captured my imagination.
Now, that work which is of most importance to society is the bringing up and instruction of the children—in the school, certainly, but far more in the home, because it is more than anything else the home influences brought to bear upon the child that determine the character and career of the future man or woman.
It is impossible to overstate the importance of this habit of attention. It is..."within the reach of everyone and should be made the primary object of all mental discipline"; for whatever the natural gifts of the child, it is only so far as the habit of attention is cultivated in him that he is able to make use of them.
Parents choose a faith-based school for their children for different reasons. Often there is the desire to expose their children to positive influences and to protect their children from exposure to negative culture.
Sometimes there are struggles, “I sent my child to a Christian school so he would not be exposed to behavior like this.” In a group of believers, we assume that everyone will be kind and loving, and we are disappointed when this is not the case.
Recently I have had occasion to re-read and study various sections in the book of Exodus which speak to the building of the Hebrew tabernacle. As God instructed his people through Moses, materials were gathered and used according to God’s specific plan. I was struck once again by God’s detailed directions for the same: exact measurements, steps for accomplishing the construction, carefully-chosen materials, workers equipped for the skills needed on the job, the layout of the property, accurate procedures for the task.
Haul out the holly;
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.
Yes, we need a little Christmas[1]
This has been a particularly trying month for me. When facing challenges, my default is to analyze, examine, and strategize. But thinking is not always helpful. This statement is practical heresy in my line of training. Gladly, I have had just enough exposure to the power of artistic expression to deny the charge.
(Of course, there is a lot of thinking that occurs in artistic expression. But it does not take center stage the entire time, and…I am overthinking this.)
That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you to may have fellowship (koinonia) with us; and indeed our fellowship (koinonia) is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
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