History: Do They Want it to Be A Mystery?

I just got up from a sweet rest time with my 2 year old. It was nice until thoughts started assaulting me, for which reason I have been forced to release in some format or another...

I don't know why President Obama didn't go to the Gettysburg event in Illinois today to commemorate President Lincoln's speech, although it is somewhat surprising. Yet I guess when you look at the grand scheme of things that really, it's not so much.

I wonder how many school kids heard or read the Gettysburg address today. A poll of that would be interesting. Mine haven't, not yet anyway, but it is on the agenda.

I want to say that the problem with our nation's schools began long before Common Core. History is one subject that has not been taught well in schools, or at least in my lifetime.

As a "good student," graduating at least in the top thirty (number, not percent) of my senior class, my understanding of History as an almost 18 year old, had I been assessed, would have been an embarrassment.

I did not begin to care at all about History until Mrs. Elliot's 11th grade U.S. History class. Mrs. Elliot was an old lady with a bag on her side but she could do some historic reenactments like nobody's business. She was definitely passionate about the subject matter.

When I consider ALL that I learned throughout my 13 years of school in regard to History, the result is depressing. I don't think I could type one page on it.

Most people walking around today, if interviewed, would not be able to tell you who gave the Gettysburg Address or have any clue what it is. How sad it is that something so pivotal has been lost in the shuffle.

That, along with the fact that there are people suing for the right to say "The Pledge of Allegience" in our schools makes me sad.

It makes me want to ask "why," which leads me to the quote that went through my mind and initiated this post.

“Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.”

Is that what they want? A group of people who are too ignorant to understand the corruption and evil that is overtaking our government, and thereby shackled to simple thoughts, hence incapable of calling out the powers that be for their wrongdoing and initiating positive change?

Well it seems that their plan is working quite well.

My recommendation, if History is not being taught at your child's school in a way that makes an impression and an accurate one, then teach it yourself. As a witness from 18 years of public education, you can't do any worse.

Like

Thanksgiving...
Feels like feet pacing across the floor impatiently, in anticipation of the day to come, like a cold nose, and air, cool, crisp, and invigorating, then like the warmth of my Grandma's house in contrast, taking my breath away, and her arms wrapped around me so tightly in welcome, squeezing the life out of me as I patiently endure, finally wiggling until she gives me release, grabbing on to my hand in one last attempt to secure me...
Looks like the painted, red fence behind my Grandma's house, with falling leaves covering the ground,
Smells like a smoking chimney, and the earthiness of decaying leaves, scattered across the ground,
Sounds like the creaking door of my Daddy's orange, Chevrolet truck, and its engine, pressing dutifully to our destination, and like crackling leaves, crunched by little feet and shouts and laughter as I run and play with my brother and cousins in Grandma's back yard,
And tastes like appetizer burgers and fries from McDonald's, as lunch is running late, and later like veggies piled high upon my plate in my typical effort to please, bitter to my inexperienced taste buds, followed by chocolate pie, bought the previous day at Wilson's Market.

When the Answer is No

This morning, I woke up really early, and was able to do my Bible reading in complete quietness. One thing I especially savored was reaching for and grabbing onto my Bible in the darkness of my bedroom. As I picked up the treasured book that my Grandma gave me, I felt like I had just caught hold of a good friend, though much more so.

I've read through the words of Jesus taking Passover with his disciples a few good times but I had never really slowed down enough to savor it. In the quietness, this morning I did. I put myself, as best I could, in their places, trying to experience the sensations that they felt and to understand what thoughts they must have been thinking.

Then I read on to Luke 22:42, where Jesus says, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."

I would guess we all know how God responded, not audibly so, but since the crucifixion shortly followed, it seems that His answer to Jesus' heartfelt plea was "no."

According to the Bible, this was not a stoic moment for Jesus. Following the words in v42, "...being in agony (of mind), He prayed (all the) more earnestly and intently, and His sweat became like great clots of blood dropping down upon the ground." (Luke 22:44AMP)

We can only begin to grapple with the intensity of what he was feeling.

Yet he was still crucified. From that, I can only infer that to Jesus' fervent request, God said "no."

None of us like to be told "no" do we?

Over the course of the past year or so, I've read a quote something along the lines of this..."God's answers to your prayers are either yes, not now, or I have something better for you." I've even told my kids this a few times.

Yet after my reading this morning, I no longer think that it's true.

We must take care to not try to fit Jesus into a worldly mold. We are His workmanship. He is not ours.

When I'm tempted to sin, God definitely says "no." When I've prayed for the healing of loved ones with cancer, God has said "no."

I realize that the two scenarios are infinitely different, but each time, God said "no."

Do I believe that He has good reasons for saying "no." Most certainly!

I don't say "no" to my children unless it is necessary and in their best interests, and I believe that He uses the same love and wisdom in His dealings with us.

And do I believe that for the faithful follower of Jesus, every "no" is followed by a greater yes? Most definitely!

 I believe with all my heart that for every loss we endure, the gain will far surpass it. The key to enduring is keeping an eternal perspective.

This can only be done by reading the Bible and praying, every day.

Then we will learn to be thankful in all things as His word commands us, even in those moment when He answers us with a "no."

Opt Out, Parents!

Parents, are you not aware that you can opt your children out of these tests? Now, they are certainly not going to present this is an option; it would be strongly frowned upon by the higher ups. But YOU as a parent have the power to make choices for your children, to take a stand for what is right. 

Teachers won't speak out because they might lose their jobs. If you think K-2 testing is not coming to NC then you should think again. Just as it has in NY, stringent teacher rating programs are going to require it.

I would once have said that this is developmentally inappropriate. But now, I would side with the writer of the article I just shared and proclaim in my loudest voice that it is developmentally DESTRUCTIVE.

I wish I could explain to you how important brain development is in the first 10 years of life, and give you a concrete understanding of how much this Common Core debacle is going to cost our children, not only now but throughout their whole lives if someone does not stand up and stop this idiocy.

Who better to do it than their teachers? Who better to do it than their parents?!!

Get informed, I encourage you. Get informed and advocate for your child. They can't do this for themselves. Please stand up!!!