My boys love to read and they love to hang with other boys too. For this reason, I volunteered to teach the little boys for the reading club. I was assured that the books were awesome and there were tons of activities to tie into them. On top of that they were HISTORY. (If you know me well, you know I am a rabid advocate for edutainment in any form!) I am also a firm believer that even bad programs can be salvaged with modifications, SO, sights unseen, we jumped right in. Half way through the book, I was beginning to wonder if I had the right book and if so, what was I missing that I was not as enamored by the literature as the mom that pitched it to me?
I finished the book in no time. Hmmm. The story was brief and had only a few moments of interest. The language was simplistic. The main characters were not developed into people that the reader would care about or model. The historical content consisted of calling the main character a pioneer in his field and then discrediting him by the end because he was just one of many others involved with the same endeavor. By the end, my sons were annoyed that they had just read a book on a “Pioneer” that wasn’t, nor was he significant in History in any way.
As a teaching mom, I modify and enrich texts on a daily basis, so the wheels began to turn. Surely there was SOMETHING to draw out as a teachable moment!? A day later, I still had nothing. I prayed about it and went to bed. Around 3am, I was awakened and a focus was beginning to come together. I love it when this happens….granted, I prefer it during normal daylight hours, but God often waits till my own thoughts are quieted down so I can better hear His. I jotted down notes and prayed for it to solidify by morning.
After seeing Hubby off, I began to type what God laid on my heart. I finished with a cover letter to the parents and a whole different focus than what I began with. When I finished, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to use it. The information was solid and turned the boys to Scripture and God using a parallel from baseball. The activity questions (that were supposed to be questions pulled from the reading) were scrapped entirely. I explained in my letter to the parents, my vision to use whatever materials we read in the club to direct the boys to a solid Biblical foundation, positive character training, and improved written and oral communication skills so that we would reinforce their current training to be effective and Godly leaders in both their homes and communities. I replaced the questions with a writing assignment that would be used dually as public speaking practice too. I also included some practical skills (map and fire safety) for them to work on throughout the week.
I waffled as to whether I really wanted to use the new print outs. What if the parents were offended and wanted a bigger focus on baseball? What if they wanted this club to be secular? What if they thought I was the crazy religious nut case and rallied to get me removed? What if they flamed me and then withdrew their children from my sons’ circle of buddies? I was tempted to go with the original materials and ask God about it later…..much later…..like after this first meeting, so that I could gage the group before appearing like an impassioned zealot. We are relatively new to the group, and this may not be the 1st impression we wanted to give off. I agonized as I looked at both sets of handouts. My heart stirred with the words from Isaiah 55:11, about God’s word never returning to Him void. I do try to make a point not to argue with myself when Scripture starts popping up, so I stopped and got the new sheets and left for club.
I nervously pouted a brief prayer as I drove. It was something along the lines of, “Lord, I hope you know what you’re doing. These people are going to flame me and it’s probably going to go right over the boys’ heads. If you REALLY want this to work, your going to need to give me the right words to say. Words that will reach these boys in their hearts. A little help with the parents would be great too, you know how I hate to speak in front of adults. Make them YOUR words that they hear, Lord, not mine.” I wish I could say that I felt a peace after that, but I didn’t. I knew what I had to do, but that knowledge still didn’t bring it down inside of my comfort zone. Have I mentioned how much I dislike speaking in front of adult females?
The meeting went very well. I don’t remember exactly what was said, but the boys were involved eagerly and the parents didn’t flame me on the spot. I could hear words coming out of my mouth, but I was thinking in my head…..where did THAT come from, I wasn’t thinking that!? I am always in awe that God is willing to use me. Me….the crazy mother of three…. that talks to herself……and argues with God……on a regular basis! (Just to make sure I’m crystal clear on what He wants from me. 
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So far, I’ve had one very positive comment about the new focus. I have not been flamed….yet, and I’m actually a little bit excited to see how God is going to work in the boys’ lives this week. I will continue to pray for each boy daily, and let you know what happens at the next meeting.
