I am struggling with my own courage. To stand firm in my armor of God where I take the belt of truth and buckle it around my waist. I find my own weaknesses work against the voice God calls me to have. I struggle to take up the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. I waiver, but I know words are valuable and what is said can influence others, especially if they are impressionable.
“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should” (Ephesians 6: 19-20).
This topic of value came up and my avoidance of writing about this is really about me making a decision to step outside of my box. I have not written to or spoke at a school board meeting even though I have been in education for 25 years. I’ve just had the attitude of going with the flow and the changes in academics really didn’t alter my life so what does it matter? But, the changes I am seeing is attacking the value of of all our students. I became a school counselor because I see value in every student. I work with families in their best moments and in their worst moments. The most difficult time I had was when a father called me to tell me his son had finally completed his mission of committing suicide. This grieving father took the time to thank me for all I had done to talk with their son and to care about his family. It is tragic when a young person believes their life has no value.
This walk down memory lane applies because I see a very dangerous theory that will invade our kids’ minds and have a drastic effect on their emotions and souls. Our kids are coming out of a pandemic and are already emotionally and psychologically fragile, so for the education system to create an environment of division will impact students socially which is not what kids need today. I think that if we continue on this path there are going to be more kids in crisis-borderline suicidal-even ending their lives before they really even start living. I see, as a counselor, a lot of students at my door trying to find value. I already have a hard time with student self-esteem to just keep adding obstacles for students seems like an uphill battle.
I listened to many parents speaking up and a couple quotes by parents that are worth repeating:
Schools have no right to teach that “an individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of the individual’s race or sex” and “any individual, by virtue of the individual’s race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex.”
First time I contacted school board members. My first time writing into the school board and sending my outline to speak at a school board meeting. I believe this matters as it is our job as educators to nurture the hopes and dreams of our students. We should build hope for their futures and learn how to build trust with their classmates and the education which impacts their lives in school and beyond.
The bottom line is that Critical Race Theory serves as a prejudicial ideological tool that teaches students to judge individuals based on sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin. Just think of the impact when a student is taught to feel guilty or ashamed of the color of their skin. Is our culture going backwards?
I am at a point where I read a question “Does your faith or your race come first?” What do I value more? What do you value more? Sadly, this topic has come up with fellow Christians and it was not what I expected. It became a comparison of races and who was more oppressed and who were guilty of being the oppressors. Really? Jesus told the disciples to go and preach the good news that his death paid the price for all people. He didn’t send them to a this group or that group, but to all people. He said he would not return until his word spread to the whole world. Faith should be first and the response to this argument as Jesus did not come to divide as that already existed between the Jews and Gentiles. He came to break the division so I believe faith comes first. Nothing that brings back the divide that Jesus died to break should be called out and spoken against.
“For everything was, written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and encouragement they provide we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
“So that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).
“For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard” (Hebrews 4:2).
My prayer is protection over our kids this school session. I pray that we promote positive mental health and not strive to break their spirits this school year. Our kids are precious and I know parents love their kids and will fight to ensure their safety, so I pray for our campuses. May each family be blessed each day.
God bless you,
DreamsDontFade
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