Music to My Ears

Yesterday my wife and I went to Chapman Middle School to hear our son Ethan sing, with all the other fifth graders, the songs that they had been learning throughout the year.  Exactly one week earlier, we had attended the spring musical hosted by First Baptist Christian School, where two of our other sons are enrolled.

The differences between the two programs were noticeable to say the least.  At the FBCS musical, there were about 130 kids performing, with the grades ranging from pre-school through grade 7. At the CMS program, there were over 300 kids performing, all of them fifth-graders!  All of the songs at the FBCS musical were gospel-oriented, whereas all the songs at the CMS program were all secular, American folk songs (unless one counts "God Bless America" as being a "Christian" tune).  The FBCS musical opened and closed in prayer.  The CMS program began and ended with a few simple remarks.  The FBCS musical included a verbal presentation of the gospel.  The CMS program had all music but no message.

More differences could be cited, but there are two main thoughts that we took home with us as we left the program yesterday.  First, we were reminded of how privileged we are to have a Christian School at First Baptist Church, and to have had all five of our children as students there at one time or another.  (Two of our children are still enrolled at FBCS.)  Second, we were reminded that kids are kids, and it's important that unsaved kids in the public school system rub shoulders with saved classmates.  Though initially we were reluctant to send any of our children to a public school (let's admit it - there are many down sides to it), we are happy to see three of our five children "slugging it out" in the secular sphere.  They are learning - much sooner and better than I did growing up - what it means to be salt and light in practical terms in a worldly society.  They are discovering that delicate tension of being in the world but not of the world.  There have been some bumps and bruises along the way - and there will be more to come - but God is teaching them some great things through their experience.  I'm proud of them, and I'm praying for them.

God in His providence has worked things out in such a way that we have experienced just about every type of schooling option:  public school, private Christian school, homeschool, and special education in a public school setting.  We have come to see "the good, the bad, and the ugly" in each of these situations.  For the most part, it's all been good - to the praise of God's grace.

I say this to encourage any parents out there who might be wondering if your kids are in the right school.  While we want to do what's best for our kids in consideration of their particular needs, be assured that wherever you have them enrolled, God can use them (and you) in that environment to bring Him glory.  God can use any person in any place to accomplish His purpose.  That's what's so amazing about grace.