Kelly's school conference

So this was the first conference I've had for a child of mine where the teacher cried! She started off the conference saying "Before I talk about anything Kelly is doing academically, I have to share with you about what happened at class the other day." I'm thinking great, what could this possibly be? And right off the bat, the teacher is fighting to hold off tears, so I'm sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what in the world?

She explained that the other week she read a story to the class about a little boy that disobeyed his parents and ran off to find a doctor for a horse because the horse was horribly sick. While he was missing the parents were very worried, the police were searching for him, the town was really worried. So then the little boy comes home with the doctor and when he arrives home the parents are crying and upset, but the doctor ends up healing the horse.

Kelly's teacher read this to the class and said she was very disturbed because after the book, in asking the kids questions about the story most of the kids felt it was ok to disobey the parents because it saved the horse. They thought the end justifies the means.

So she sent the kids home to ask their parents about what they thought. Was it right to disobey the parents so the horse didn't die? Kelly brought this question home to us and in discussing it we asked her "What is the Lord's 5th commandment?" Kelly answered "Honor you Father and Mother." So I told Kelly, "I think we should follow that command unless your parents are asking you to go against something in God's Word. So I believe it was wrong for that boy to do what he did."

Turns out the next day, the teacher asked the kids "What did your parents say when you asked them that question about the boy?" It sounded like a lot of the kids didn't phrase the question correctly to their parents, so she got answers that didn't really answer the question.

So then she told the class that her least favorite movie is The Little Mermaid. She said the story is about a young girl that wants to get her way and so she goes against what her father has told her to do and takes matters into her own hands. In the end her father goes through the struggle with the sea witch, but wins and the Little Mermaid gets what she ultimately wanted, to live on land with her prince. She explained how it was wrong of her to disobey the father and put him through that heart ache and struggle. And in the end she denied herself and her father their relationship because she had to leave everything behind.

So, she gets done sharing her thoughts with the kids and some of them raised their hands along with Kelly. She started calling on people and it took her a bit to call on Kelly. She finally called on Kelly and asked her what she wanted to say. Kelly said, "There is one thing I would give up everything and everyone for... Jesus Christ." Kelly's teacher said, "I'm telling you this because it will truly be the highlight of my year. To hear this precious child proclaim Christ to the class was something I will not soon forget."

God's got a hold of my little girls heart. And I praise Him for that. As a parent it is moments like this that take your breath away. This is what this life is about. Lifting high the name of Christ. And so many of us adults struggle with it. It's the faith of a child that we are supposed to have, and I saw a great example of that faith through my Kelly.