VANISHING AMERICAN EDUCATION

I am excited to share this post with you! See these dusty books? They are indicative of what I want to communicate.

For a long time I've been thinking about doing more "devotional" style blogs again--I've been silent too long.It was so evident to me this week as my grandchildren and I visited a nearby country school, still open to the public for tours, that we have lost something very valuable over the last century.

 American education is simply not what it was when our granparents filled classrooms like these and studied from books like the McGuffey readers. My respect to all you teachers, this is not intended to cut down your service. I know many teachers and most are a very dedicated group of public servants. But I think we can learn some things from observing the vanishing American schooling trends of the past.

The heavy, durable desks and furnishings were just one example of a culture that valued quality and long life. Things were expected to last--money was viewed differently. Things were hard to come by and therefore quality and durability mattered. Textbooks and supplies were not replaced every year.

How about these slates as an example of environmental consciousness? Each child could pick one up each morning and use it repeatedly without wasting sheet after sheet of paper. How's that for "green?"  And we think we are on the cutting edge!

But even more obvious than all that, I was struck by the pictures that hung in this classroom. Portraits of the Presidents, Washington and Lincoln, were proudly and prominently displayed at the front of the room and elsewhwere on the walls. Other pictures depicting events of American history were displalyed as well. The desks were arranged with larger ones to the backs of the rows for the older students and they gradually got smaller toward the front of every row. This was a vivid reminder that we once could put all age groups together and that the older ones helped the young to learn. No need for multiple classrooms and special age-related programs.

All these observable differences point to the fact that scholastics and character-building mattered more than all of the frills we often associate with a well-rounded education. These vanishing (or vanished) American educational trends served a society that honored Christian principles and produced some of the world's greatest leaders, inventors, statesmen, and heroes.

What has our progress cost us?

More on the next post....until then, Blessings, LORI

ON MY PET SHELTER SOAPBOX!

It has been on my heart to do a post like this for a long, time. The other day I saw some billboards by a local animal shelter/society that touched me so I couldn't get them out of my heart. Therefore, I'll get on my soapbox for a few moments!

First, I want to say I'm not an animal rights activist. I believe we have dominion over the animals, (Genesis 1:26-28) but that does not include mistreating them or making unwise choices with their lives. Yes, my husband, son, daughter, and even daughter in law hunt, and no, I don't have a problem with that. Taking an animal for food by a quick, humane kill is biblical.

The heart of the matter to me is the attitude many folks have about pets. I have noticed an increased number of discussions, advertisements, and so on about the popularity of what I call "designer animals." I hear a lot of folks even down here in "rural-ville" talking about getting puppies or kittens that were specially bred and paying big bucks for them.

Instead of purchasing an expensive pet why not adopt an animal from a shelter? Is there anything wrong with loving a pet that is not "designed" to your specifications? Would we do the same to our children when they are not perfect? (Scary thoughts). Most of the animals, cats and dogs, that we've ever had were adopted from our local animal shelter. Two of them were puppies bred for sale and then relegated to an uncertain destiny because of defects or lack of "market." They have all been wonderful, loving additions to our family and we didn't regret the decision at all. Why should we be creating more pets when there are already so many that are unwanted--born into the world usually through the laxity of owners who refuse to have their pets spayed and neutered.

I remember watching the movie, "Amazing Grace" that came out a few years ago about the life of William Wilberforce. He was the English statesman that campaigned tirelessly for the abolition of the slave trade. I was thrilled and surprised to learn that he was also instrumental in seeing attitudes about animal cruelty change in his land. I felt such a kinship with him on all his efforts, but concerning the animal cruelty work that he campaigned about, I realized that what I always thought of as a "secular" concern really is near to the heart of God. After all, the animals are part of His creation too. Originally we were designed to live in complete harmony, sharing the world with them and managing them with God's ways in mind.

I think it is high time Christians took a look at this "small" concern that is not usually thought of as a spiritual focus and led the world in reform. Let's do our part to help steward this part of our creation. The loving rewards are endless when those beady little eyes look up into yours, depending on you for care and companionship, completely loyal and ready to be your best friend!