I spent most of the month debating whether I should commit myself for another two years. The day had come when I had to decide whether I should submit an application to be on the parents’ council at my daughter’s school, a two-year commitment that would require a not-negligible amount of attention. Not just meetings but emails and topics that I would be thinking about. I prayed about it. My reasons for saying “no” were many and wise. But there were a few reasons for saying “yes.”
On the application, I struggled mightily with my motivations for continuing. In the end I wrote about a controversial issue which I held to be very important and a reason to continue if I could have a positive influence. I had four years experience but it was up to other parents to decide.
Do you know what? The parents voted for other people and I was on the outside looking in. It clearly had to do with my honesty about the controversial topic. (The topic, by the way, had to do with the ubiquitous use of technology - i.e. tablets - in the classroom and for studying at home.)
Let me tell you, no one has celebrated their defeat more than I did! Ahh, the clarity! I would miss the people but I could focus on other things. But do you know what? The parents’ council members wrote that they decided to let the few of us, who weren’t official members, join the meetings and the activity! Often spots are freed up, they said, and it is good, if new people don’t come in cold. Would I like, they said, to come to the first meeting?
My wife laughed. At me. Suddenly I was presented with the decision yet again! Once again, I prayed, God, give me clarity! I was bold to speak up about this topic but should I accept the costs of tackling it? Will you be with me and give me favor with others? I wrote to the parents’ council members I knew who made my participation possible, telling them of my indecision and concern for the controversial issue.
Again I waited until the last minute to decide. Like the very last minute before I needed to leave the house and I prayed in that moment, God, should I go?
I heard in hushed voice, not audible but in my thoughts:
Go.