“I need help!”
by Brett King, RMCA Headmaster
“No one—not rock stars, not professional athletes, not software billionaires, and not even geniuses—ever makes it alone.” This is the conclusion of one of my favorite authors, Malcolm Gladwell. In his latest book, Outliers: The Story of Success, he tackles a subject that has intrigued me as long for as long as I can remember. Why do some people succeed, living remarkably productive and impactful lives, while others never reach their potential? Gladwell argues that we need the help of others. I couldn’t agree more!
A recent incident with one of my children reminded me of just how much help I need. Citing his desire to be recognized like the other kids in his class, my less-than-perfect son decided to announce during lunch that it was his birthday. His classmates sang. And the teacher’s aide recognized him with a treat. There was only one problem. It wasn’t his birthday!
My first reaction was one of mild embarrassment. But I also saw an opportunity. How might I get assistance from his teachers to help him learn a valuable lesson about truth-telling? After some consultation, his teachers allowed me to execute a plan that would help him turn a wrong into a right. And make it right he did! With the blessing and support of his teachers, he humbly acknowledged his sin and asked for forgiveness from his classmates and teachers. Not surprisingly, they freely extended the grace he sought. Afterwards, he commented to me how good it felt to do the right thing!
This potent lesson my son learned about God’s truth and grace was enhanced because of the environment in which it was learned. For when the church, home, and school are united in purpose, true success is far more likely. But in today’s world, kids are often faced with insidious messages about what it means to be a success. Look good. Be popular. Be powerful. Find your satisfaction in material things, and of course, take command over your own destiny.
The message of Jesus, however, couldn’t be more opposed to our culture’s “me” centered values! He said in Matthew 16:24-26, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” Needless to say, this is not a message our kids hear often enough. It’s absent in the media, in advertising, and in most schools. Yet, understanding this truth is foundational in understanding true success. It is what I desire most for my children. And I know I need help in reinforcing it.
For when the church, home, and school are united in purpose, true success is far more likely.
I need a school and a community that shares this vision. And so do you. The pull of the world is too strong to go it alone today. It’s tragic that over 70% of kids raised in evangelical homes will reject the faith of their parents by the time they graduate from college. And for some, even earlier! But I do believe this trend can be combated if we simply have the courage to purposely invest in developing both the hearts and the minds of our kids.
And as I learned with my own son, it takes both parents and teachers who are convicted that true success comes form bringing up their children in the “nurturing and admonition of the Lord”(Eph. 6:4). God-fearing role models with God-inspiring goals, in a God-honoring environment is a potent force to help our kids fulfill their God-given potential.
Malcolm Gladwell’s hope with Outliers is “that it makes us understand how much of a group project success is.” Who do you want helping you with this project of raising your children? I know I need a group that reinforces, not resists my efforts. And I know I need a school for my children that shares my deepest convictions. I have concluded that that RMCA is not just a nice place for my children to learn and grow, but a necessary one as well.
