Friday, November 14, 2008

What are they thinking???

"It takes a village to raise a child" - African saying

"If you are expecting the village to raise your child, you had better hope that you don't get stuck with the villiage idiot!" - Renee's saying!

I am always suprised and amazed at all the stories and first hand accounts of parents who refuse to parent their children, which is why I came up with my saying up above.  I'm sure that I wasn't the first person to think of that saying...but I'm the first person I know to say it aloud.  Feel free to share this with your friends too.

sigh!

Every year at my Church we are begging for folks to help teach the Sunday School classes.  Currently we are in need of two co-teachers and for someone to run the games for the 2-5y/o's class.  (please note that those are co-teacher spots...that means that they don't have to teach every Sunday!)  I guess that I should be greatful that we don't need more teachers than that and I am.  However, I'm going to lament about it anyway.  Why?

Because the reason we need those other teachers is silly!!!

There are just too many folks at our Church who think totally silly things like "Oh, I could never teach!" 

WHY?  Teaching the Sunday School classes isn't hard at all.  The Church provides the lessons, all a person has to do is read through them with the kids.  The kids are well behaved.  So what are they affraid of?  I sure don't know.

One Sunday I asked the kids in my class what their parents were doing while they were in Sunday School classes with me.  A few answered that their parents were in a Sunday School class themselves. (GOOD!)  A few answered that their parents were teaching a Sunday School class (EVEN BETTER!)  But what saddened me the most was how many kids reported that their parent was sitting in their car reading a book.  WHAT?!?!?!?

Why on earth would they be sitting outside reading a book?  They obiviously know that Sunday School is important for their children.  But wouldn't it be just as important for them? 

And why on earth do they think that I'm much better qualified to teach their kids?  Do I have some sort of special training? (NOPE!)  Do I have some sort of special calling? (NOPE!)  The only thing that I have they don't seem to have is the desire to make sure that my child actually gets a class...cuz if I'm not in there teaching her and her classmates...who is going to teach them?

And here's an even better one for you...  There are three students who while still members of the Church have "dropped out" of Sunday School because their parents didn't like how they were taught last year.  But did any of those parents say something to those in charge about their problems with the lessons?  Nope!  Did any of those parents offer to help teach cuz they could do a better job?  Nope!  Instead they pulled their kid.  Sigh!

Honestly, I don't really mind that I'm the only teacher for Darly's class.  I mean if I weren't teaching her class, I would have to be in another Sunday School class myself and I'm learning right along with the kids.  We have a good time (I wish our room was bigger with better accoustics so my ears aren't ringing every Sunday, we have severe growing issues with our Church.)  I'm just upset that there are too many parents out there who won't help because they don't have enough confidence in themselves to do it.  They think that they can't.

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called!

5 comments:

  1. darly's lucky she's got a mom who's willing to help out!

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  2. I'd love to teach the 2-5 year old class!

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  3. They're thinking that they can't make that kind of commitment. They're thinking that they are good with their own kids, but not with other peoples kids. They're thinking they'd like to at least feel a little called to the position before they commit to it.

    As for pulling their kids and not saying anything - I think a lot of people don't want to cause a ruckus especially in a Church, thinking being nitpicky doesn't belong in a Church, or that it causes involvement in the Church politics - and a fair amount of people don't want anything to do with the politics.

    (Just speaking from my own experience here, obviously I don't know the people or situations at your Church specifically.)

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  4. There are just some people out there who would rather take a back seat while others do the work. I agree that Darly is one lucky young lady to have such an involved mom.

    And I'm so glad to read that you all enjoyed your SoCal vacation! There's nothing like hearing how much fun visitors have in your own backyard. :~)

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  5. Might I suggest a little motivational speech? To wit...

    Can't?!?! Whoa! When did that word enter your vocabulary? What, is the job too difficult? What, you don't have enough experience? Oh, you're not smart enough? Where's your confidence? Look at me. When I started blogging, I had no support. Not from her (pointing to Renee). Not from OK Chick. Not from anyone. The first time I blogged, I was terrified (not really). But then I looked inside, and I found my katra. That's your spirit, your inner being, the part of you that says "Yes I can." So I listened to my katra and now I'm blogging once, twice a week.

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