The Noise of Life

Above my computer at my desk is a painting of a lion hanging on the wall.  This lion painting is one of my favorites and is always in my peripheral vision when I work on my computer, talk on the phone, or sit at my desk and work.  To the right of my computer is a picture of my bride of 23 years, Delinda.  It is a beautiful picture of her in her wedding dress.  To the right of my wife’s picture is a cross that stands boldly on my desk. There is one other object in my office that catches my attention throughout the day.  A sign that hangs above my door with the four names of my boys-Bryce, Luke, Zeke and Chas-and three words: Master, Mission, Mate.  Throughout the day, every time I see the sign, I say a quick prayer for my boys; I visualize their face; and I pray that each one would draw closer to their Master, understand more keenly their Mission that the Master has for them, and is preparing for the Mate that their Master has selected for them.

A few objects in my office.

One could argue that if someone needs a reminder on their wall to pray for their boys then something is wrong.  Maybe that is a good point; however, I have never looked at it that way.  All too often life gets busy, and “the noise of life” drowns out the most important things to us like “Master, Mission, [and our] Mate” (or future Mate).  ”The noise of life” is not going away.  And I want to make sure that my compass has directional markers and reminders that constantly stay in my vision.  The cross, of course, reminds me of what Jesus Christ, my Master did for me.  The picture of my bride, of course, reminds me of my Mate.  The lion painting and the sign with my son’s names reminds me of my Mission, to train my four sons and other sons and daughters to be as bold as a lion in today’s jungle like culture.

The truth is that it is easy to get distracted.  Staying on course as a Christian is not easy.  It requires a compass that constantly is directing us as we navigate through life.  How do people make it without God?  The peace, purpose and payment that His Son provides are simply incredible.  Today I had the privilege of talking to our pre-school through fourth grade students in chapel.  Yesterday and earlier this week, I talked to our middle and upper school students.  Future lions-with future Missions and future Mates-what an honor it is to pray for them and walk with them through the jungle of life.

God bless,
Larry

Small Schools are not Perfect

It is hard not to notice all of the family pictures Delinda has put up around our home.  Everywhere I turn or sit, I see a picture of the boys or my bride.  These pictures remind me of the incredible blessing my family is to me, and the responsibility I have as a father and a husband.

This morning ends our summer with our oldest son, Bryce.  In just a few hours, he will arrive back on his college campus in Connecticut.  What a summer we have had together:  a family vacation, a family conference, but mostly just a lot of dinners at home together.  Together is a good thing … a precious commodity.  We will now be together not face-to-face, but through text messaging, mobile phones and Facebook.  Thanksgiving cannot get here fast enough!

As I walked through the Upper School atrium this morning on the way to my office, I noticed the student artwork on display.  I continue to be amazed at the talents of our students.  One of the “difference factors” at Prestonwood Christian Academy is that we have a staff that connects with students; a staff who identifies the talents in the students; a staff that appreciates the talents of the students and encourages the use of those talents; a staff that reminds our students of the source of their talents; a staff that introduces our students to the Giver of talents; and a staff that challenges our students to submit their talents to Jesus Christ, the Giver of talents.

This type of learning culture is different.  I remember my transition from a large secular school in Orlando, where I taught and coached, to a small Biblically- and eternally-focused school, where I taught and began my administrative assignment.  I instantly noticed the “difference factor”.  Being at a small school (although Prestonwood Christian Academy is one of the largest private schools in the Metroplex, it is still relatively small when compared to local public schools) and having a clear purpose and mission statement that is aligned with Biblical truth and principles has transformed my view on education.  Observing students as they grow and mature through elementary to middle to high school affords the learning culture and a difference factor that most schools never experience.  It takes time to get to know a student’s heart, mind and ability level as well as their learning style, interests, and how God has wired them.  Those of us who serve in schools where enrollment has been intentionally capped understand the significant differences.  I am encouraged to see a national movement in our public school system towards smaller schools.  The empirical data overwhelmingly supports this difference.  The educational quality would be noticeably different with the movement towards small schools.  Pilot programs throughout the country are proving this out.  It is harder for a student to fall through the cracks in a small school; harder for an incompetent teacher to remain “invisible” in a small school; and it is easier to study test scores and make curriculum adjustments accordingly in a small school.  But more important is that students have more of an opportunity to get involved.  It is through this involvement where we witness their character, heart, strengths, weaknesses and talents.  The measure of a school should include all of its students.  Are all of the students scoring at or above their ability?  Measuring a school with all of its students is the true standard of school quality, and not measuring just the top 10% or 25% of students.

Small schools are not perfect, but they have more of an opportunity to create a learning environment that impacts the thinking, character and talent development of all students.

I will definitely expound more on “education” in later postings.  This is a part of my life and until then, my prayer for you is to experience “together” with your spouse and children; students, look at the pictures in your home often … look at and appreciate the pictures in your school.  They are lasting memories of our time together.

God bless,
Larry

The First Day of School

For nine years now, I have started the first day of school at Prestonwood Christian Academy in “Heaven’s Hallway”.  For those of you who do not know about this special place in our school, it is the hallway in our Lower School that welcomes our pre-school and kindergarten students.  I have always said that if you are having a rough day, just come and walk through this hallway and the world’s problems will immediately disappear.  The “itty-bitties” just have a way of melting away the pressures of life, and replacing them with a joy that permeates the soul.

The First Day of School is extra special: the emotion in the room; moms, dads, siblings, strollers, cameras, video, smiles, tears; a thousand Kodak moments!  And then, our children are in Middle School and Upper School … can I just say as a father of older boys, the cameras, smiles and tears of joy still happen.  Every stage is special … doing life with our children is a never-ending Kodak moment.

In a few hours, I will be with our senior class at Pine Cove Christian Camp near Tyler.  This is one of the few events at PCA that I “just attend”; no speaking role … I just “do life” with the seniors.  I listen to them, watch them, fellowship with them, and I always walk away from this time wishing that every parent, pastor and church member could witness it.  I love our students.  None of them are perfect, and none of them have “arrived” yet.  God didn’t call me to “perfect” the students.  He called me to love them as Christ loves me … just as I am.

God bless,
Larry