Why do we continue to work hard, even harder, in a crisis?
I have been wondering about this. We started back only three days from the end of Spring Break. We have asked your children (and their teachers) to work hard by transitioning to Cornerstone at Home. I have found that this Cornerstone at Home is difficult. It is harder than normal days at school. A teacher cannot go to her desk and look over her notes for the next hour of class when she is working online. The students cannot depend on the teacher looking over their shoulders to see mistakes or signs of misunderstanding—they have to take the initiative and ask questions instead. This different work is hard work. The students have more responsibility working from home. For teachers, papers come in all at once—a pile of grading.
Why don’t we just take a break or take it easy? Why can’t it be “Cornerstone Light.” Why do we have to continue to work through our curriculum? Why can’t we just review?
God has given us work to do and time to do it in. We must be stewards of both this work and this time, for time passes never to return. While Covid-19 makes things more difficult, it does not change our responsibilities. We learn in James 1 that trials produce character. Cornerstone at Home is a trial, rather than running from it, we should lean into it to see what God has to teach us.
We need people who can work in a crisis. Life is different. Things have changed; anxiety is surging, and school is harder at home. While we have many excuses to take it easy, it is important that we model the behavior we would like to see. We work hard doing our job, as a way to be faithful to our communities and to honor those who are working hard on the front lines—our doctors and healthcare workers. There would be something wrong if we sat back and ceased work we were able to do—albeit with a little more difficulty—while others around us risked their health to fight our common enemy—Covid-19. I am reminded of Uriah the Hittite who would not sleep in the comfort of his house while his men were on the front lines of battle. When America goes to war, we all do our part.
A corollary to the second point is that we are teaching our children that when adversity comes along, they should keep working and keep fighting. This is experience is an invaluable lesson for them! I hope and pray that Covid-19 is our last pandemic and our last crisis, but the history of the world tells us it won’t be. We are raising the next generation of front-line leaders and fighters. We need leaders in that generation who have the experience of working through adversity and pressing on without slack. Years from now, we want them to be ready to serve and fight on the front lines when they are called to face whatever challenge comes our way.
Parents, your feedback and support have been fantastic through this time. I am amazed by the reports I hear from teachers about your diligent children! I want to thank you for being leaders in your community by supporting the continued education of your children in this crisis. Please keep in touch with your teachers. They are available during school hours to help with questions and encourage your children in their work.
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