The dog days of summer seem to get shorter and shorter,
don’t they? Since the local school systems made adjusts to the calendar,
students get out earlier but go back earlier, too. This really hit me one day
last week while doing a little grocery shopping.
I was passing by the stationary
and office supply aisle when my attention was caught by a noticeable buzz.
There was a sort of feeding frenzy taking place as parents and children were
rustling through bins and baskets to pick out the best folders, pencils,
crayons, and paper. It brought back all sorts of memories of picking out the
tools that would accompany me into a new campaign in the classrooms of my local
school. I wanted to be well equipped. So as a parent, I definitely want the
same for Ethan as he begin middle school this year.
Tiffany did a great job of
helping get Ethan ready for school this year. A week or so before we left on
vacation, she and Ethan went and purchased the equipment he would need for the
sixth grade. As a side note, it is a whole new world from what it took to get
ready for elementary school, but I sense that’s a blog for another time. As
they picked out the requisite paper, folders, binders, lunchbox, and book bag,
a new item made its way into the shopping cart that had Ethan particularly
excited: a combination ruler and 3-hole punch that fits snugly in the spine of
his binder. Talk about multitasking…he will be able to punch holes in things
AND measure them at the same time! That ruler punch is something for which he
is quite proud.
School is a vital aspect of young
people learning to become adults. School is so much more than just reading,
writing, and arithmetic; it is about facing challenges, persevering, making
friends, and accomplishing the seemingly impossible. So when we think about
measuring up and keeping a straight line, a ruler is a huge help! Beyond the
centimeters and inches, we need to make sure we are sending our children and
their teachers in to a school year with the best possible chance for success.
They need a standard, a “ruler” if you will, to help provide an answer in a
world that is slow to give them.
Jesus gives some timeless advice
that I am sure you have heard before. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6.31) Many know this as the “Golden
Rule” and work to live their life by this timeless principle. It helps when we
think of the potential consequences of our actions and how we might personally
be impacted if those same consequences were to come our way. Thinking this way
can help prevent quick tempered and shortsighted reactions to very real
circumstances.
If we were able to completely
follow this golden rule, the world would be a different place, let alone our
local schools. Treat others like you would want to be treated whether you are
in the classroom, lunchroom, bathroom, locker room, music room, or art room.
Wherever you might come face to face with someone else, remember Jesus’
timeless advice. You could do much worse than to arm yourself with this
powerful piece of wisdom and advice to make a difference in the world around
you.
We are not but just a few days
into the new school year here in Coweta County, and our neighbors in Fayette,
as well as some private schools, resume next week. There is no doubt it will
present all sorts of challenges. But if we can remember to treat our neighbors
as we would want to be treated ourselves, then we are making great strides
toward a wonderfully constructive and educational experience. We need all the
help we can get to measure up and keep a straight line. So as you pack your
backpacks and briefcases for another day, remember to pack one item you can
stand to have in abundance: The Golden Rule! Have a great year.
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