Life Here and There

We’re almost to the 30-week mark of Angie’s pregnancy. I get to feel Samuel kicking, turning cartwheels, and giving me high-five’s when I put my hand on her stomach. Last night we painted the nursery. The bedding is in. We’re slowly stockpiling diapers and getting ready for the big day.

While painting last night, my mind began to wander and I started asking myself questions that can only be answered as time unfolds.

• What’s Samuel going to look like?
• Will he sleep through the night?
• Will he like his room?
• Will he play baseball?
• Can I convince Angie to let him play football?
• Will he be an introvert like the rest of us?
• Will he have bright blond hair like I did?
• Will he be born with hair at all?
• Will he be crafty and creative?
• Will he hate sweet potatoes like I do?
• Will he like me? Will he want to hang with his Daddy?
• Will he be godly?
• Will he find a godly wife?
• Will I be a good Dad to him?

I don’t have answers, just questions, but it’s fun asking them right now. I’m getting a little nervous, a lot excited, and quite giddy. I can’t wait to meet you Samuel David! We’re gonna have an awesome time!

This is adapted from a sermon based on Judges 13

I really don’t have to belabor the point of how morally confusing these times are, do I? We hear the news. We read the stats. And we know how tough it is to be growing up in this present culture. That’s how things were for Israel when Samson was born.

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HSLDA – Support Grows for Southern Baptist Resolution on Exodus from Public Schools

Is it just me, or are we getting a little pushy with some personal agendas? I’m a realist and I know that there is some “bad stuff” in the public school system. I also know that there are some very liberal people in the leadership of the National Education Association. And on the other side of the coin, let me say right up front that I support parents who choose homeschooling and private education. Now to my point? It’s not my place to decide what is the “holy” option for any other parents.

My daughter is four years old and one year from now, we’ll be making this huge decision ourselves, and we haven’t ruled out the alternative of public school. I refuse to demonize the entire system and every faculty member in it. I further refuse to believe the myth that sending my child to a Christian school or homeschooling will guarantee that my child will automatically be more holy because of a lack of exposure to the world’s value systems. I once read a report (wish I had a link for you) based on solid research that demonstrated that the worldviews of kids coming from public schools and Christian schools were essentially the same.

Let me say honestly, I know God can bless the family that chooses homeschooling so that their kids will be sheltered from the “isms” of a godless world. I also know that God can bless families that choose a Christian school so that their kids will be exposed to education from a biblical worldview. But let me finally say that God can bless the families who choose to place their kids in public school, oversee their education, teach them about Christ at home, and lead them to be salt and light in a darkened world. Further, may God bless Christian teachers and faculty members who choose to leave the safety of the saltshaker to make a difference in the world for the glory of God. I don’t write you off!

Should education start at home? Absolutely. Should we endeavor to see that our kids grow up with a biblical worldview? Sure we should! But should it be resolved that we make an “exodus” from the public school system? Well, we may be slouching toward Sodom, but we’re not there yet. My pastoral influence will be to lead parents to get involved in their kids’ lives with an awareness of their social, intellectual, and spiritual development regardless of their specific educational choices.