When the Rubber Meets the Road

​​by Adam Kronberger / Head of School

As I prepare our family vehicles for the winter driving season, the condition of the tires is one of main priorities. I check the air pressure and determine if the tread depth will provide sufficient traction in all driving conditions. As lead disciplers in the lives of our children, we actively provide modeling and training to our children. We want them prepared to thrive in all of life’s conditions.  

Recently, I was having a discussion with a high school student in my office. Though they had been in my office before for several personal discipleship opportunities, this particular occasion was focused with concern about a classmate's situation. The student asked me how I decide to become involved (administratively) when students make mistakes. I summarized how God’s grace and mercy will often insulate my office from student’s shortcomings to allow them time to correct their misbehavior on their own. But when inappropriate actions clearly come across my desk, I take the opportunity to apply the process of discipline toward a harvest of righteousness as outlined in Hebrews 12.

The student quickly added a twist to this principle. They stated that their earlier “divine appointments” in my office were also applications of God’s mercy and grace. “Getting caught” and being held accountable by those in a position of leadership was an act of mercy and grace. Without intervention, the student learned that the results were going to be negative if the student had been left on their own. Just as tires can slowly lose air pressure over time, our children can lose direction without an influx of fresh air. 

Over the summer I was having a conversation with a parent whose high school child was going to hang out with some friends who didn’t share their Christian worldview. As the parent took the initiative to prepare and remind their child of the pitfalls and opportunities the evening may present, the child jumped in and proclaimed, “I know mom... discover, develop, deploy (CCS motto)!” Apparently, their child had been listening to the consistent voices of influence developing the child’s manual for the road of life. 

It is much easier in the moment to assume that the tires on my vehicles are roadworthy.  But that would certainly put my family’s safety in jeopardy (and disappoint the late Les Schwab who spoke at my high school graduation). It’s also much easier in the moment to assume that our children are going to learn correctly on their own. But that would certainly put our child’s future in jeopardy, and fall short of God’s call for us as parents. So inflate those tires, initiate training with your children, and enjoy hours of safe and profitable driving.
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– Adam Kronberger / Head of School