In Singapore, it is usual to hear of parents who take part of their annual leave to coach their children whenever major exams are around the corner. Some parents send their children for tuition or enrichment classes at a young age to prepare them for school and exams.
Just two days back, the Swallow was in a conversation with several friends when the topic of children's major exams came about. A friend had noted that the Swallow had young ones who were going to sit through major exams next year too. Another friend was quick to point out that the Swallow was 'relaxed' about it.
The Swallow believes that exams should be taken as a gauge of what her young ones have learnt. They should not become a challenge between parents to see whose child has done better. Thus, her contributions to her young ones' academic future are to provide them with nutritious food, ensure that they have adequate sleep, and help them keep a balance between work and play. Moreso when exams are at the door. As a homemaker, she stops her housework to coach them only after they have attempted to complete their work on their own but were unable to do so. Over the years, the coaching part has been getting smaller as the topics have been getting harder. In spite of this, she and her mate have kept their resolution not to send their young ones for tuition classes. Instead, the young ones were reminded to put in their best effort, to pay attention in class and to complete all their homework and assignments.
Does this mean that the Swallow is relaxed? To her friend, it would seem so.
This resolution of saying 'No' to tuition classes, however, is tested each time less-than-desirable results follow the exams. When comparisons are made, between some parents, of their children's results and the Swallow is pulled into the conversation. When careless remarks, though unintentional, are made that the Swallow is relaxed concerning her young ones' academic future.
Yet, at each testing, her Lord God had faithfully reminded her, through His Word and through various other means, to keep her focus on Him, on the goals He has set before her, on what was more important than life on earth. This time, her Lord God used the teaching leader at a BSF session.
She had used a long piece of string to illustrate life - on earth and in eternity. One end of the long white string had been wrapped with red tape. This red part measured several inches to several feet of the rest of it. The other end of the string could not be seen as the string wound around the front part of the hall. Holding the red part of the string in her hands, the teaching leader had likened it to a person's life on earth. There was the beginning and there was the end. The white part had been likened to life in eternity. Where the red part ended, the white part began.
Where will one spend eternity? What will he be doing in eternity?
The Swallow's eternity will be with her Lord God. She has seen the wonder of His ways. When He was unknown to her, He had patiently called to her. When He became her Lord, although she had faltered many times in her walk with Him, He had never given up on her. He continues to hold her hand and pulls her up, out of the holes she had dug for herself. He is worthy of her praise and honour. Little wonder that her desires for her young ones are for them to know Him too, for them to follow in His ways, and for them to enjoy eternity with Him.
I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW (author unknown)
I don't know about tomorrow
I just live from day to day
I don't borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to gray
I don't worry o'er the future
For I know what Jesus said
And today, I'll walk beside him
For He knows what is ahead.
Chorus:
Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.
Ev'ry step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb
Ev'ry burden's getting lighter
Ev'ry cloud is silver-lined
There the sun is always shining
There no tear will dim the eye
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.
I don't know about tomorrow
It may bring me poverty
But the One who feeds the sparrow
Is the One who stands by me
And the path that be my portion
May be through the flame or flood
But His presence goes before me
And I'm covered with His blood.
The Swallow acknowledges that exams have a part to play in life. Preparing for them brings discipline and endurance. The balance, therefore, is to place enough emphasis on her young ones' studies without extinguishing the flames of joy in learning. The goal, however, is to put exams in the right perspective to eternity. For that, the Swallow will continue to stay 'relaxed'. At least until the next testing.
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