Sarah’s Birthday Celebration

Today is Sarah’s birthday. We celebrated her birthday in advance last Saturday. For the previous 2 years, we had it at my in-laws’ house and my mil helped to cook all the dishes. For this year, I decided to have it at our place, and I will do the cooking as well as bake the birthday cake.

What Have I Taught?

Being in Singapore where importance is placed on academic success, every parent is anxious to get their child off a right start. This means starting academics as early as 2 or 3 years old, sending the kids to every enrichment class conceivable. I admit I have the tendency to fall into this kiasu-ism, but God has been consistently reminding me that character training is of the utmost importance during the tender years.

I came across this very meaningful poem. It reminds me not to sweat the academics, but to embrace eternal perspectives.

What Have I Taught? (By Betty DeMers Parkes)

If my children can quote Shakespeare

with feeling and understanding,

but think only of themselves,

…then what have I taught?

If they can spell scientific words,

and write 16 page reports,

but have no compassion for other,

…then what have I taught?

If they can work algebraic equations,

but do not think of how their words or actions

may affect someone else,

…then what have I taught?

If my high schooler gets into Harvard,

but doesn’t have a personal relationship

with Jesus Christ

…then what have I taught?

If my children are in the 99th percentile rankings

on all their standardized tests,

but resent being with their family

…then what have I taught?

If my nine-year-old reads Tolstoy,

and my seven-year-old knows all the times tables,

but they cannot play together

without hurt feelings and tears,

…then what have I taught?