As of yesterday, all 3 of my children advanced to a new grade level. Education is important in our family. Allow me to humbly share with you what I hope they learned…
If they learned to speak the languages of foreigners — but have not love for the foreigner — then the learning of language is pretty hollow.
If they unlocked great truths in history, social studies, or even in an advanced Lit class — comprehending all sorts of mysteries and knowledge — but know not how to apply that knowledge to a grace and peace for other people, then they really have learned very little.
If they learned about the faiths of the world — those invented by man and those backed up by historical documents and eyewitness accounts — but haven’t learned to transfer that learning from the head to the heart, then the learning is by no means complete.
If they learned about sacrifice — noting that sacrifice prompted by the individual heart as opposed to demanded en masse is one of life’s most beautiful, contagious examples — but yet give little away, then their intellect will have proved lesser.
If in chem lab they learn to build and blow up mountains — but have not concern for those impacted by the explosion and respect for the one who actually created the mountains — then in all reality, they still gain nothing.
If they scored incredibly well scholastically — surging to that top 10% — but care not about the 90% below them, then they will not have scored as they truly should have.
If they completely grasped both micro and macro econ, understanding supply and demand and economies of scale — but fail to have compassion on those the theories affect — then their economic education will be incomplete at best.
If they go further in economics, following economists who promote the politically-influenced theory — but spend with no specific, measurable means to repay — then their learning will omit the wisdom found in accountability.
If they have not learned love… if they have not embraced wisdom…
No matter the higher the education… it will be less…
If any of us have believed that only a school is responsible for that education, then we as parents and role models will also be less…
Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast. It is never arrogant nor rude. And it certainly does not insist on its own way. It’s not irritable or resentful.
That means all these intelligent people… near us and in our neighborhoods… in our classrooms and communities… in Washington and in our work place… elected, appointed, or simply adjacent to us in some capacity… no matter their intelligence… no matter the loftiness of their rhetoric…
If they boast, are arrogant, or rude in their expression, whatever it is they actually have — from a Ph.D. to a Ph.Something — it is by all means lesser… it is less good.
Respectfully…
AR