(Except the last paragraph, this is an article from a school newsletter I wrote last month)
Have you ever read the book, “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman? It’s a great book for figuring out how different people show and receive love. My primary love language? Gifts! I love to give them, and I admit, I love to receive them, too. Even a pack of my favorite gum or a pair of fluffy socks can make me happy the rest of the day if given to me out of love.
I realized that I was giving my kids too many gifts as a result of my love language. We’re at the mall? The Dollar Store? Target? I see a sale on something they’d love and I’d get it for them. But I realized that they were expecting things more often and our house was piling up with more stuff. I decided that my giving was having a negative effect on their wants, the clutter, and our wallet (even dollar store purchases add up!) So, it was time to redirect.
Last year my husband and I decided to buy almost nothing for the kids that wasn’t necessary. They could earn money to buy things they wanted, and what a difference in what they really wanted when it was their own money! It was a hard change for us at first, but what got me through was thinking about the bigger gifts I was giving my kids:
1. A Godly Home
2. A Loving Family
3. A Solid Foundation
Where does this foundation come from? I believe a big part of that is having them at Ygnacio Valley Christian School. From the moment I drop my kids off and wave at the Principal, Mr. Johnson, as he greets them (how many principals do that every day??), to the moment I wave at Mr. Johnson and pick them up – I know that they are growing academically, socially, and spiritually. They are learning not only the academics of what they need to get to the next level, but they are challenged and loved by these teachers who are certainly not there to make their millions! The staff is answering a call of God on their lives to touch our children deeper than they would be touched just about anywhere else. It's amazing to sit down at a parent/teacher conference and begin with prayer. It's also amazing to have a kindergarten teacher who can identify spiritual gifts in her students and encourage the parents to develop these gifts. The kids are learning what it means to have character, make the right choices, and to be a friend. Having them there is a sacrifice for us, but what an exchange. What they are gaining is priceless in light of eternity and I am grateful to give them this gift.
If you are considering a private school or not, seek God and His will for your kids. I know that not every child can go and that there are great public schools, too. If you are at a position in life where you are seeking what path God would have you choose - I want to encourage you to carefully interview lots of parents who have been there before and see what their opinions are. You can even email me and I'd love to share our process of decision making and more reasons why we chose what we did. Ultimately, though, the decision must be between you, your spouse (if you are married), and God. In His will your children will flourish and do great where ever God plants them! The greatest gift you can give is keeping them in God's loving care.
