11.24.2008

The "holiday" season engulfs my 5 year old

in our recent move to the northwest Stacy and i decided that we would not put our oldest son, who turned 5 on September 1st, in kindergarden.  because of his late birthday (and a few other reasons...one not being because he wasn't ready...he's freak'n brilliant) we decided to hold him back and put him in a preschool again.  he loves learning and interacting and it would almost be a slam to his 5 year old mind to not put him in a learning environment. 

he has been in Christian preschools for the past 3 years but this year we put him in a school where one of his friends goes.  they are not Christ centered.  they are a great school and Austen's teachers love him dearly.  

this holiday season hit's the reality for Stacy and i that he is not in a Christian preschool, and it's scary.

Stacy and i have purposely chosen (up to today's date) to place our kids in public school.  it is a strong conviction of ours (for us) that the school will not be the sole educators of our kids.  also the church will not be the sole educators of our kids.  Stacy and i have been given the responsibility to raise our kids, to praise our kids, to teach our kids, to discipline our kids, and to grow them up in Christ.  

we want them at and early age to understand what it means to be a light in a dark place.

THIS IS SCARY!

Austen's class is focusing this holiday season on Hanukkah.  each class has a responsibility to teach a different viewpoint of holidays and because his teacher is Jewish, they are focusing on Hanukkah.  

Another class is focusing on Kwansa and another on Christmas.

They will come together and present the different views of Christmas in his "holiday program" on December 13th.

here's the question:
how do you teach the plurality of God in our fallen world to a 5 year old?     

i guess it begins and ends with Jesus. 

his foundation is being built and we have to trust God (and Christ in our lives as his parents) that his heart is being protected.

i do trust God in where He has us, in where He has Austen, and i pray constantly that the one true God would rescue his heart.  


God protect him.  God preserve him.  build him up for the day he surrenders his life to You.  rescue his heart.  give Stacy and I the perseverance, wisdom, and sense of urgency we need to be a home that glorifies Your name forever.  i praise You for his life and let me treasure him for the time You have given him to me.  i love You.  i trust you.  and Austen, you are everything to me.  Amen.  

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

You were noticeably missed in class last night. Prof is from Dallas, we got to pick on Joe (he admitted that he's too young to be in the ADC program)... it was a good class!

As for the different celebrations, it's a learning experience. Great exposure, great way for them to learn about different people and faiths, and excellent conversation starters at home.