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These are perhaps two of the most underrated words. When I hear this pair of words directed at me, I am always surprised by how deeply it impacts me. Sometimes I hear it after a math lecture with our upperclassmen. Other times I hear it after teaching in one of our chapels. Or it might be spoken to me after guiding students across our busy crosswalk. Occasionally, the words are connected with a tasty treat, which not only deeply impacts my soul but also my stomach!
The words themselves are rather quite trivial, but the intentionality when one uses them is significant. In today’s culture, the pursuit of personal fulfillment is on the rise, and the practice of gratefulness is on the decline. Each one of us is not immune to the influences of this cultural trend. But as disciples of Jesus Christ, these weaknesses can be replaced with the power available through our faith in God. We cannot escape the world, but we can do our little part to be ambassadors of the transformation God is doing inside of us. Gratefulness is an area in which I often cry out, just as Paul did in his letter to Timothy, “I am the chief of sinners.” I wish I was a more grateful person! I am so blessed with the family, friends, school teammates, and community that God has placed around me. Yet my intentionality in saying “Thank you” often comes up short. As God continues to replace my weakness with His power, can you do me a favor? As you prepare to meet with our teachers during Parent-Teacher conferences, join with your spouse and prayerfully consider how grateful you are for your child’s teachers. And then take those “good thoughts”, and make them “good actions”, by giving them a “Thank you” for all the seen and unseen service to this community. *Ironically, after writing this article, but before sending it out, a parent and student brought in a thank you card and donuts for all of the teachers! And this happens regularly! Thank you! One of the most influential “educators” in my adolescent years was my PE Teacher/X-Country/Track coach. He treated me with the same inherent value, whether I was a star pupil or in need of correction, whether I finished in first place or farther back in the pack. He was quick to give me individualized attention and even helped me out with running gear from time to time. He even took me and my running buddies on extended hunting trips, investing in our lives well beyond what we could produce on race day. I learned more from him through his example than through his words. Though when he spoke, he had a platform for me to truly listen.
It often seems like most of the most influential people in our lives are those who are both present and actively engaged with us. In a recent leadership article from ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International), they provided a definition for discipleship: Discipleship is the process of demonstrating Christ-like qualities in everyday life through a delicate combination of leadership (visible example), testimony (past example), and direct instruction. At the core of discipleship is the disciple’s relationship to the discipler. True discipleship is transference of values acquired, mostly, through visible example while the direct instruction is the commentary. Discipleship typically breaks down when the visible example does not match the direct instruction (the commentary). The master discipler is one whose visible example matches their direct instruction. Discipleship is the embodying of our salvation and making it effectual, in other words, working it out with fear and trembling. It begins with understanding that all of life is sacred because it all belongs to God (Philippians 2.12). I found this explanation to be very encouraging and helpful to me both as a parent and as a school leader. While direct instruction is often useful for teaching new content, it is through visible example that values are transferred. For these visible examples from parents and teachers to have an impact, they must be built upon relationship, and must be consistent with our words. It is through intentional time and love that we built a platform for our example, and words, to be heard. Who are the examples in your life whose actions and words provided discipleship for you? And who are the children, neighbors, or friends that God has asked you to now do the same? The school’s mission of discipleship training flourishes in the parent partnership focused on the example of Christ. Thank you for your teamwork as the complementary pieces of example and instruction pass on an active faith to our students. Like most growing campuses, student drop-off and student pick-up can be a delicate dance. I choose to be a physical part of the process to ensure safety and hopefully efficiency. But the greatest reward is hanging out with students as they enter and exit our campus. So what has been the most recent "word on the street" from Crosshll students?
Mr. K: “How was your weekend?” Student: “I really like this school, but I LOVE Saturdays!” One particular morning, as the wind was gusting as high as 40 mph. Student: “It sure is windy today!” Mr. K: “If you don’t see me later today, go look for me in the land of Oz.” Student: “Or heaven!” Student: "I’m your biggest fan!" (every time they see Mr. K, or just about any teacher) Mr. K: “It’s Monday, my favorite day of the week!” Student: “You say that every day!” *Bonus Contents from Small-Group Chapel Student: "OK group, we are going to pray before we start our sermon...well, it's not really a sermon, but we are going to preach!" One of the greatest parts of our jobs is the daily opportunity to connect with students, often in unique and interesting ways. The other day I was briefly covering the front desk at the high school building. A new student from one of our middle grades popped in to use the restroom. As she glanced over in my direction, a look of surprise came over her face as she did not expect to find me sitting in that chair. As we have quickly become good friends this year, she did not hesitate to jump into a dialogue:
“So, do you pretty much do everything around here?” “No, not quite. I’m just filling in at the moment.” Not yet fully satisfied with our verbal exchange, she continued: “So, do you pretty much own this place?” Hmmm, I thought to myself. What an interesting question. Let me attempt to navigate this one: “No, I don’t own anything. God owns it all. We are just renting it from Him.” And as an afterthought, “And he is a very good landlord!” Satisfied with my response, she began walking toward her original destination. But then suddenly she turned back and exclaimed: “LandLORD! Good one Mr. K.” As she walked away, I chuckled to myself. How fun it is to hang out with your kids and teenagers! They reveal something new to me every day. Let’s allow God to use this fun exchange to remind us of His sovereignty. He is indeed the landLORD over everything He has created, and He rules His properties with perfect goodness. The rental rates are amazing, as Jesus has already paid it all on the cross. As His favored tenants, He simply asks us to be stewards of all of His gifts He lends to us. And when the roof of our lives is leaking, and the appliances we put our trust in break down, be quick to give a call to our landLORD. He sent His son Jesus to fill in the gap between perfection and our broken existence. His divine crew of 3 are always on call! During a recent varsity sports contest, I struck up a conversation with one of the visiting public school parents as we waited for the rest of their team to arrive. With this particular team, I have developed a friendship over the years with one of their volunteers (sharing score table duties), but I have not seen her in some time. So I used this common connection as an excuse to strike up a conversation with this parent, asking how my old friend was doing.
This old friend of mine had mentioned to me years ago that her brother was very sick. By sharing this, it opened up a deeper friendship as we discussed elements of faith, eternal life, and prayer. I have been diligently praying for her and her brother since that day, and was asking this new “friend” for an update on their situation. There was a moment in the flesh in which I paused to consider how transparent I was going to be in the conversation. During that split-second moment, I momentarily wrestled with the potential discomfort that might exist if I began speaking about those same faith elements (I wish I could say this is an uncommon struggle, but too often, the struggle is real). In these moments, I am often reminded of how the apostle Paul so often responded when he himself was dealing with the frustrations of the flesh: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” It is often this internal declaration that removes any hesitation and invigorates me to walk in the Spirit and not the flesh. Why should any momentary perceived discomfort in the flesh prevent me from experiencing the joy that comes from declaring how good our God is? So I jumped in with my new friend and we had a great conversation. We both recalled how in our childhoods, it seemed like half of our public school communities shared a Christian worldview. But she grieved how her current experience seems more like 1 out of 20. So I took the opportunity to briefly be a part of her community and encourage and strengthen her faith. Even when our dialogue began to move into overly political waters, each of us took turns in steering our fellowship back to Christ. I am always awed by other parents who seem to consistently reflect the love and joy of Christ to just about everyone in every situation. I consider them my mentors as I try to model my daily interactions in similar ways. May each of us overcome any fears and discomfort, modeling to our children a loving Christian worldview to others at every moment God gives us. |
Adam Kronberger
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