Christ-Like Citizenship

Yesterday, Matt and I had some proud parent moments. I figured I would use this space just to brag a little.

It was awards day at our girls school. Macayla just finished her 2nd grade year today and she received several awards yesterday for her academic successes. One of the awards she got was for her reading...she finished 2nd in the entire school on her reading tests. She's always done really well.

Rachel just completed kindergarten today. I cannot believe it and yes, I am a little sad at how fast my "baby" is growing up. But that is beside the point. She, too, received some academic awards...letters, sounds, numbers...the usual kindergarten stuff. But the one that we were most proud of with Rach is that she won the "citizenship award" out of her class. It brought tears to my eyes as I heard her name read. What a special little award!

Now having said that, let me switch gears just a little bit. Before the awards ceremony even started, Matt and I were sitting in the gymnasium talking to other parents and paras when all of a sudden, we look over and witness a mom being escorted out by a police officer! I won't go into details, but this mom ended up being arrested and forced to leave the school. This mom has a little girl that is in Macayla's class, so our family had to have a talk about the day's events last night. Needless to say, this was supposed to be an enjoyable day for parents to take part with their kids and it just didn't start out very well. I was sad for that little girl...

I don't know about you, but I for one, am soooooo thankful that this is not our home! My family lives in Iola, KS...but our citizenship is in Heaven! Our mission in life is to try and take as many people to Heaven with us as we possibly can. I also realize that not everyone will accept the love and grace that Jesus offers. You don't have to look very far to see people clearly doing the opposite of what God has for them and their life. It can be very depressing. What we witnessed yesterday was not something I wanted our girls to see. It's reality though. But what a shame.

In the meantime, while we live on this earth, we can be positive role models for citizenship by doing these things:

-show concern for the success and safety of others;
-use non-judgmental language that does not offend or demean;
-do the right thing, especially when it is difficult;
-do the right thing, even when no one is looking;
-take responsibility for your actions;
-reflect on how your actions affect the welfare of others.

I didn't come up with these on my own. I did a little extra research after Rachel won her award. We have a big job to do. God has called us to do it...and for me, it took my 6 year old to remind me that this is not my permanent home, but while I am here, I better make the most of it by showing "Christ-like citizenship" to all those I am around.



"But our citizenship is in Heaven." Philippians 3:20