Spring can't be far.....

The Northerners just got socked with another two feet of snow, and here in the South, it is expected to reach nearly 60 degrees. Everyone I meet says they are tired of the cold and ready for Spring, and it isn't even Groundhog day yet!

I noticed a squirrel raiding our lawn chair cushion yesterday. She pulled out a huge wad of stuffing and absconded with it, scurrying up a towering oak. That can only mean she is building a nest which means baby squirrels are in the offing, which means spring must be near.

"Help yourself!" I called out as she returned for a second morsel of fluff. We never use those old cushions anyway. May as well pad the entry into the world of another rodent.

In my opinion, you can never have enough squirrels or helicopters. I love squirrels with their question mark tail. I love there cheerful chittering and their acrobatic antics as they leap among the leafy treetops. Squirrels make me smile.

Lately, however, helicopters make me cry.  As Science Olympiad now looms only 5 weeks away, a working helicopter is becoming more and more critical. A few weeks back we had two working helicopters. The team was already purchasing trophy cases for all the awards they would be racking up. And yesterday we went to practice with five completed helicopters in our hangar ( a large plastic box).  Each was of a slightly different design. Each held months of promise in their carefully sanded bodies and countless hours of effort.

Not one worked. Every single one broke as soon as we began winding the rubber motor. After some repairs, we did get two to fly for about 1 second each. And then they broke again.

As we left the practice gym, two dejected hours later, Asherel said , "That went well."
I glanced at her. Was she being sarcastic?
"We learned alot," she explained.
In my mind, that means the long season of educational winter is over. Someone on the planet in the sphere of my teaching has made the correct connection of what education is all about! Buds of comprehension are pushing through the dormant bark. Hallelujah!

One of the hardest jobs as a parent is trying to convince your children you know something they don't. And beyond that, you know something it would be wise for them to learn. The accumulation of facts, while a nice benefit for those with good memories, does not produce a well educated, functional member of society, nor does producing ten rubber helicopters that fly more than 2 seconds.  But a respectful and eager learner, who looks at failure as the opportunity to grow in understanding is a blessing beyond compare. And a child who begins to understand that those people God has placed in authority over them should be listened to is one who has the beginning of true wisdom.

Proverbs 9:9-12
⁹ Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
   teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.  ¹⁰ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
   and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
¹¹ For through wisdom^[b] your days will be many,
   and years will be added to your life.
¹² If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;