Approved workmen are not ashamed

Wednesday was our awards night at AWANA. All four of the kids received an award for finishing their books for the year. Becca finished her first year Sparks book, and was the only one of the Lemans with perfect attendance for the year. Rachel finished her third year Sparks book and now moves up to the Truth and Training level. Drew received the Excellence award for completing the second year T&T book. I am proud of each of them and the effort they put into learning their verses every week. But it was David who really impressed me by bringing home the Timothy award.

The T&T girls leader always puts things in perspective when she announces the book awards. She will tell us that by finishing book 1, your daughter has memorized 75 verses, book 2 163 verses, and so on. (I don't remember the actual numbers, but they're impressive.) By the time a T&T member has completed the fourth level book, he/she has memorized over 200 verses, and various other Bible facts presented in a way that is not just rote memorization, but the verses are used to back up thoughts like, "why did God give us the Bible?", or reasons why the Bible is true. As the boy's T&T leader pointed out, the numbers of boys & girls completing each successive book decreases. You might have 8 kids finishing book 1, another 5 through book 2, 4 kids through book 3, and every year we see only one or two making it all the way through book four. The achievement is rare enough and difficult enough, that the two boys who made it that far this year were singled out by name and praised in front of all the parents in attendance. One was Cole Mecum, a friend who used to attend our church, and the other obviously, was David.

Their leader told us all how significant this award is, and he opined that Cole and David would make good T&T leaders in the future. For someone else to publicly praise my son for a noteworthy achievement like this was very moving for me. I've heard the expression of a parent "bursting with pride" over their children, but I hadn't experienced it until that night. I have certainly been proud of each of my children numerous times, but this time was special. This was not a well played game of baseball, or a catchy tune performed in a concert. This is hiding the word of God in his heart. I have never been prouder.

I told David weeks ago, when he actually finished the book, that I was very proud of his accomplishment in earning the Timothy award. To his credit, he didn't understand what the big deal was. I think he is beginning to understand now. He got some congratulatory comments at awards night from other people who are equally impressed with him. It seems to be a big deal to others, so it's becoming a bigger deal to him. Of all endeavors in which one can excel, memorizing Scripture is one that will always bring a good return.

As proud as I am of all of my children, I have to give credit where credit is due. At least half of the credit for these milestones has to go to Dawn. If she didn't light a fire under the kids each week and help them along, they wouldn't be as successful as they are. Thank you all for your efforts. You will never be sorry, and I will never be prouder.