September is the time where schools and families resume their busy and often times hectic yearly schedules. As our children return to school, I ask you the following question, are you relieved that summer vacation is over?
A few weeks ago, the Television Program “Good Morning America” ran an advertisement of a woman dancing to the song “Celebration” (by Kool & the Gang) as her children returned back to school. The woman, so relieved her children were returning to school, not only danced in the streets, which humiliated her children, but also partook of a glass of wine as the school bus drove away. During the interview, the panel of journalists laughed at this woman’s creativity and expressed their own personal joy that summer break had finally concluded.
In her excellent book “Children in the Church Today” Sister Magdalen makes mention that “it is sad when children have the feeling that their parents are glad to have them out of the way again at school” (pg. 44).
Having said this, I as a parent of four school aged children, ages 3 – 10, admit to the many challenges of raising of children and how quickly impatience or even anger can overwhelm the best of us. However we must be mindful that our children are one of, if not the greatest blessings gifted to a married couple by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Childbearing is often times very difficult, or simply not granted to very deserving families. Yet many of us, including television and social media, take our children for granted.
Let me tell you another story. A few years ago, early in the morning, my cousin walked into her daughter’s bedroom hoping to catch a glimpse of a most precious sight, a sleeping child. Watching her daughter resting peacefully, she gazed lovingly from the doorway hoping not wake her from what seemed like a very normal night’s sleep. Standing silently and attentively, she noticed her daughter was abnormally still, even though sleeping. As she moved closer and softly touched her daughter’s head, she experienced the single greatest tragedy in a parent’s life, the death of her child.
Why do I tell you this story? No one, even our children are promised or guaranteed to awake tomorrow morning. During his comments to the guests gathered at the funeral luncheon, my cousin’s husband said, “to all you parents, please do not ever be annoyed at your children talking too much in the back seat of your car, nor wish that summer break would end sooner than later so your children can be out of the house and you can be free at last. I only wish I could once again be ‘annoyed’ by the pleasing sounds of my little girl.”
Treasure your children. Soon enough they will be off to college and your home, a once noisy and lively place will soon be all too quiet. So, in the mean time, talk with your children. Reinstate and reemphasize the importance of praying and sharing meals together, breakfast too! Make sure your children’s sporting or social activities do not force you to choose whether or not to attend the Divine Liturgy on Sunday mornings. If they do, please be mindful of the example you’re setting and how this will affect their love for the church and its priority in their lives.
We spend much of our time instructing and teaching our children right from wrong, showing good manners, respecting adults and authority figures. Now don’t get me wrong, these are valuable lessons, many of which will keep them safe and bring honor to your home. But we too as parents must take time and listen. Our children have pure hearts and out of them come many beautiful little pearls of wisdom. As the David the Psalmist says, “Out of the mouths of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength,” Psalm 8:2. Furthermore our Lord Jesus Christ reminds us that, “Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven,” Matthew 18:3.
As we begin the Academic year, please be mindful that September 1 also begins the Ecclesiastical New Year. Just as we hope our children will exhibit a renewed joy to attend their classes and be diligent in completing their assigned schoolwork, we too should reexamine our focus on the liturgical calendar of our Holy Church. As His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America appropriately stated in his encyclical for Ecclesiastical New Year, “First, we must pray and commune with God. In addition, we must enter this year and greet each new day seeking and receiving the grace of God.”
As you see the school bus driving away, instead of enjoying a glass of wine, say a prayer that God protect your children, allow His Holy Angels to protect their minds and keep them pure. And above all, ask Him to return your children safely to your home so that you, as a family may give Him due praise and thanks for the many blessings you enjoy.