Philip won an award this morning for having the best "Christian Attitude." His teacher said all sorts of things about how kind he was to his fellow students, how he always did his best work in class, how he was filled with the love of Jesus, etc. Debra and I were very proud. At the same time, we wondered what the teachers handing out this award would make of the little boy we see some days at home -- the boy who, when recently (very recently) teased by his older siblings, delcared with great conviction his eternal hatred for them.
We also found it interesting that all the students who won "Christian Attitude" awards were commended for their prompt and cheerful obedience to the teacher's instructions. (E.g. "He always does exactly what I ask him to, the first time I ask him to do it.") Another was commended for his ability to line up his class in alphabetical order by last name.
Hmmm. Fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Alphabetization, Conformity, etc. But the greatest of these is...
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Don't be too hard on the teachers. After all, proper obedience to teachers is one of the ways we show love for God and neighbor. As someone once wrote:
39. Lord's Day
Question 104. What does God require in the fifth commandment?
Answer: That I show all honour, love and fidelity, to my father and mother, and all in authority over me, and submit myself to their good instruction and correction, with due obedience; (a) and also patiently bear with their weaknesses and infirmities, (b) since it pleases God to govern us by their hand.
I'm thrilled that the teachers both teach and reinforce obedience as a virtue. I reap the benefits as a parent.
Gotta love the H.C.
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