Our daughter brought home an assignment last week. It was an assignment on current events and was part of her Social Studies curriculum. It was due today.
The assignment was simple. Find a current event from a news source and write about it. Tell about the source of the article, the title, the date, and the event. Then she was to take the article and describe in a certain number of sentences, the event and the significance for the class.
Easy right?
Not quite! There was a caveat. The article had to include a picture. Further, the current event could not be related to violence or weapons. Not so simple anymore, huh?
The assignment probably turned out to be just as much about being a parent as it was a fourth grader learning about current events. We began by looking at the few news sources to which we have access. I taught her how to find the date, and the title of the source on the newspaper. We talked about the sections and the information that would be found in those sections.
But what was so difficult was actually finding a story that both fit the assignment as well as the constraints. Once you got past being age appropriate for a story, the real struggle was finding one with pictures that didn’t involve violence and weapons. Keep in mind – I didn’t think that sports would fit the bill. That eliminated an entire section of relevant news.
You have probably heard – “if it bleeds, it leads.” In the news last week, that was true. There were terrorists on the covers of magazines. On one edition of the newspaper, there was the picture of a small coffin being carried by teens. They were carrying the body of an 11 year old twin boy who was killed by his brother. With so much news dealing with violence and weapons, it was difficult to find a news article. The one thing that kept running through my mind was, “wouldn’t it be great if there was a story about peace.”
Today, I’m thinking about that prospect a little. Six years ago today, we were planning to travel back to Pennsylvania after spending some time in North Carolina. Our bags were packed, our sandwiches were made, and with the exception of a migraine headache, we were going to leave for PA. But just about the time that we were about to leave, the first terrorist attack on 9/11 happened. Needless to say, we stayed in North Carolina for another day not knowing whether they would be shutting down Interstate Highways, and curtailing all travel.
Six years ago today, 9/11 was the current event. Images would have been flowing in and out of our minds without the hope of escaping them. I remember the same daughter who turned in her project today continuing to ask, “why did bad people do that to us?” Technically, that wouldn’t have fit the assignment either. Violence, once again.
Today, I am praying for peace. Isaiah talks about peace and the day when the house of God will be brought to full recognition. At that time, says the prophet, “He shall judge between nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isaiah 2:4.
Someday, hopefully soon, fourth graders will have nothing but positive lead stories which will be considered appropriate for a current events project. Hopefully that time won’t be too far into the future. And today, as we remember a current event that is still fresh in our memories, let’s all pray for peace.
“Almighty God, how can we not consider peace a possibility today. Our minds recall so much pain and violence, so much hurt. Images flood our memories and the terror returns. Help us to seek your peace and assurance each day, yet not forget the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. May the day come soon, when we shall learn war no more. In his name we pray. Amen.”
This week in worship, we will be talking about the parable of the Lost Sheep. I promise no violent images or weapons will be included, but it will be current and topical. The title of the sermon is “Who’s number One!?!” I hope that you will join us.
Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg
The assignment was simple. Find a current event from a news source and write about it. Tell about the source of the article, the title, the date, and the event. Then she was to take the article and describe in a certain number of sentences, the event and the significance for the class.
Easy right?
Not quite! There was a caveat. The article had to include a picture. Further, the current event could not be related to violence or weapons. Not so simple anymore, huh?
The assignment probably turned out to be just as much about being a parent as it was a fourth grader learning about current events. We began by looking at the few news sources to which we have access. I taught her how to find the date, and the title of the source on the newspaper. We talked about the sections and the information that would be found in those sections.
But what was so difficult was actually finding a story that both fit the assignment as well as the constraints. Once you got past being age appropriate for a story, the real struggle was finding one with pictures that didn’t involve violence and weapons. Keep in mind – I didn’t think that sports would fit the bill. That eliminated an entire section of relevant news.
You have probably heard – “if it bleeds, it leads.” In the news last week, that was true. There were terrorists on the covers of magazines. On one edition of the newspaper, there was the picture of a small coffin being carried by teens. They were carrying the body of an 11 year old twin boy who was killed by his brother. With so much news dealing with violence and weapons, it was difficult to find a news article. The one thing that kept running through my mind was, “wouldn’t it be great if there was a story about peace.”
Today, I’m thinking about that prospect a little. Six years ago today, we were planning to travel back to Pennsylvania after spending some time in North Carolina. Our bags were packed, our sandwiches were made, and with the exception of a migraine headache, we were going to leave for PA. But just about the time that we were about to leave, the first terrorist attack on 9/11 happened. Needless to say, we stayed in North Carolina for another day not knowing whether they would be shutting down Interstate Highways, and curtailing all travel.
Six years ago today, 9/11 was the current event. Images would have been flowing in and out of our minds without the hope of escaping them. I remember the same daughter who turned in her project today continuing to ask, “why did bad people do that to us?” Technically, that wouldn’t have fit the assignment either. Violence, once again.
Today, I am praying for peace. Isaiah talks about peace and the day when the house of God will be brought to full recognition. At that time, says the prophet, “He shall judge between nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isaiah 2:4.
Someday, hopefully soon, fourth graders will have nothing but positive lead stories which will be considered appropriate for a current events project. Hopefully that time won’t be too far into the future. And today, as we remember a current event that is still fresh in our memories, let’s all pray for peace.
“Almighty God, how can we not consider peace a possibility today. Our minds recall so much pain and violence, so much hurt. Images flood our memories and the terror returns. Help us to seek your peace and assurance each day, yet not forget the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. May the day come soon, when we shall learn war no more. In his name we pray. Amen.”
This week in worship, we will be talking about the parable of the Lost Sheep. I promise no violent images or weapons will be included, but it will be current and topical. The title of the sermon is “Who’s number One!?!” I hope that you will join us.
Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg
3 comments:
Good thoughts on peace. I wish there were an easy answer to all that is happening in the world, but often I find myself fixated on the battle. Thanks for holding me accountable.
Greg,
Those homework assignments get you? Yeah, where's the paper that publishes all the good stories? I still like Dave Crowley. Keep it going Dave...
Will be praying for you all as we (all) worship this Sunday.
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