IN FAITH
LOOK AT THAT FINE CROP!
Reflections on Beginning a New School Year
Wow! School is off and running again! This year our daughter returned as a sophomore to Wayne, and our son is returning as a sophomore to Indiana U. in Bloomington. They’re both growing up so fast. (And, I seem to be getting a wee bit older, too).
If you want to discover as a parent, or grandparent, or significant adult in a child’s life, what’s important to them, and what their values are, listen to their music, watch movies and television with them, and be open to the discoveries.
Everyone’s life is built on some kind of foundation. I’m not going to get into the “genetics versus environment” issues that are often raised by psychology and sociology in this piece. But, I do want to make a few brief observations about today’s world, our kids and grandkids, and other people’s kids, and we as adults.
It has always been easy to complain about the up and coming crop of kids. It’s easy to look at mistakes made by young people, and then to say things like, “These kids today! How could anyone (look like that) or (act like that) or (like that music) or (like that movie)?” It has always been harder to actually listen to why our kids like the things they like and do the things they do. As adults, we tend to talk about “peer pressure” and the kinds of influences other children/youth have on our kids. Often “peer pressure” is defined in a negative way. But, I’ve also noticed that there are kids who seem to pick good friends and that those good friends have a way of caring about their friends, and being there for them when a friend is so sorely needed. I have seen kids hold their friends when they are hurting, and dry tears and listen when they have been treated badly at home. I have watched friends listen to other friends, who may not have a dad (or mom), and make a difference in that person’s world. Where did these kids learn to care this way? And where did they learn to love that way?
Some of it was taught at home, by parents/grandparents or others, who listened, and who taught values through their actions more than their words (though the right kinds of words are important!). Every time we, as adults, interact with a child or youth, we are planting seeds, whether for destruction, or seeds for love and positive growth! Every time we, as adults, use abusive language, we scar kids or others. Every time we, as adults build kids up by spending time with them (like staying up and looking at Mars, or building picture puzzles, or going to football games or basketball games or band events or speech tournaments or going with them to worship or Bible study), we plant seeds.
Those seeds will sprout and grow. And the resulting crop will be passed on to others!
To quote a teacher and “coach”, whom many believe to be the Savior of the World, and the Son of God, from Matthew’s gospel:
“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. {2} Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. {3} And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. {4} And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. {5} Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. {6} But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. {7} Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. {8} Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. {9} Let anyone with ears listen!” (Matthew 13:1-9 NRSV)
None of us can control the kind of “soil” that is found in other people. But we can make sure that the kinds of seeds we plant are the right kind! Here’s to the Class of 2004! Bloom and prosper! And pass on the good things, which have been given to you!
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