S is for Saturn

Posted by tyan (Singapore, Singapore) on 3 November 2009 in People & Portrait.

Letter S is the last letter of the alphabet that Caleb is learning in school for this year.Caleb has been crazy about the solar system since we brought him to the space exhibits at the Science Centre. Human body is taking a backseat now, though we brought him too to watch the BodyWorlds exhibit.

Everyday after school, he would be asking me the same questions about what each planet are made up of. We even made a mini solar system now hanging from the ceiling. So when it was time for his show-and-tell this week, he insisted on bringing Saturn, though i was a little apprehensive because I was afraid his classmates would not be able to appreciate what he was sharing yet. But i didnt want to disappoint him so I drew Saturn for him and wrote some simple sentences for him to read out. I told his teacher about my apprehension and she was very nice about it and said that she would explain to the class if there is a need.

Recently it dawned upon me that books and curriculum are important, but only as they serve to prepare our children for God's purposes. A mother wrote(Season's of a mother''s heart by Sally Clarkson), 'Don't let academic become the focus of your planning when you think about your children's lives. Be sure your focus is on eternal issues, on the areas that prepare their heads, hearts, and hands to be useful to God-knowing God's truth, becoming godly people and doing God's work of ministry and service.' I realised it wasnt so important how much they know, but what they become. I felt that my priorities have been misplaced on all the planning on various academic subjects but neglecting to share with them about God with the same intensity.

It started when Caleb was bullied by 2 bigger boys in class some weeks back. They kicked his foot till the shoes fell off and when he took it up, the teacher thought they were fooling around and threw all their shoes out of the classroom. I remember picking Caleb up that day, he cried till his eyes were swollen and red spots were appearing on the skin below his eyes. It was the first time he cried in school. I knew he was not fooling around and that his friends started the trouble but I was at a loss of words to comfort him. I prayed for the right words to say, to comfort, to teach, to prepare him for the road ahead. It started me thinking, what will really count in the long run?

'I pray that from His glorious unlimited resources He will give you mighty inner strength through His holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.'Ephesians 3:16-17