Life's Sculpting

Two Sculptors
I dreamed I saw a studio
And watched two sculptors there.
The clay they used was a child’s mind
And they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher – the tools he used
Were books, music, and art.
The other; a parent, worked with a guiding hand,
And a gentle, loving heart.

Day after day, the teacher toiled with a touch
That was careful, deft, and sure,
While the parent labored by his side
And polished and smoothed it o’er.

And when at last, their task was done,
They were proud of what they had wrought.
For the things they had molded into the child
Could neither be sold or bought.

And each agreed they would have failed
If either had worked alone.
For behind the parent stood the school
And behind the teacher, the home.

Anonymous

One of our kids brought this home on the first or second day of school. Those close to us know that it was a very hard decision for me to make, in terms of sending Little Mister back into the school system. Only hard, in regards to why he was out of the system in the first place. I wasn't worried or overprotective, because I feel that our kids are exactly where they are supposed to be. They know the love they have at home and are secure in it. They love being around everyone they are around and all the things they are doing. Our kids are socialites, so this has been essential and a huge growth thing.

Mr. Cinder and I had some underlying suspicions throughout last winter. Our underlying suspicions were, that part of my repeat infections and sickness on top of that was simply due to stress. The stress of trying to teach, work, manage a house, be all the hats I play. Some days I wished that I could just be someone who could effectively balance everything. But now, as I look back, it wasn't a matter of not being able to effectively balance. It was a matter of trying to effectively balance things I wasn't supposed to be balancing. Yes, I'm sick right now, but this is the normal fall sickness thing...bugs that go around with our crazy weather, as it decides whether it should snow and snow good, or continue to melt away.

When I read this poem, it just gave huge confirmation as to the fact we had made the right decision for our family. They have been blessed with awesome teachers. There's huge communication between us and Little Mister is being offered a lot of guidance and help, in regards to his reading. I found myself saying, "It wasn't my fault. I did try hard enough. I didn't fail him." I had a friend say to me, "You have nothing to beat yourself up over...but you know that." We're seeing improvements in Little Mister. He's gaining confidence and knows that any help given will help strengthen his skills for the future.

As we prayed for guidance, in terms of the decisions we were making, in regards to schooling, I also prayed for something else. I prayed that life would no longer be in a 'bubble' for me. I prayed that life would have corners and that there would be opportunities for me to reach to the far corners. And He's provided them. I go into Big Mister's (our oldest son's) class once a week, to help his teacher with whatever she requires...reading with kids who are, marking, photocopying, etc. I also get to chaperone field trips for all the kids. I am visiting weekly with parents as we sit and watch our kids at their swimming lessons. He's also bringing awesome experiences to me through work...through ministry, etc.

Life's still hairy busy a lot of times...it's still really hard a lot of times too. That'll always be the case...life's not perfect and I will never claim it as anything close to that. But we are feeling His presence...even on those days where you just want to climb up on the roof, become invisible and hope the day passes fast...He's there!