Rules, rules, rules! Maybe, rules, resistance, rebellion. Way back when I was a kid in school, and long before that, rules and the authority behind them proved fodder for resistance and rebelliion. The 60s and 70s saw rules, laws, and authority of any kind under siege in almost every corner of society.

Educators during unsettled times, then and now, share some interesting experiences. The word "interesting" may sound like a compromising term to describe the challenges accompanying turbulent times in our nation's schools. However, it does appropriately describe the experiences of teachers in the thousands of Lutheran school settings across the country, early childhood through college. (Until retirement, I was a teacher and/or administrator in seven of these schools over a period of forty years years.) Decency and order prevails in our schools. Does this mean that halos grace the heads of our students? Not by a long shot. It must have something to do with how we deal with the issues of human nature.

For me, this proves to be an interesting observation, one upon which I often reflect. I am convinced that the reason for our congenial and upbeat atmosphere is not that we have better rules, procedures, and routines, and are more strict in enforcing them. Rather, our kids get to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ in school. This has always made all the difference...as it does today as well.

It is not that our kids somehow better understand the necessity of rules, procedures, and routines, and are therefore more agreeable and compliant. Rather, they hear and experience the Gospel of Jesus Christ here, too.

By it they come to better know, love, follow, and serve the God of our salvation in Jesus Christ. In Him they live and learn.

When do they get to hear the Gospel? Every day! It makes all the difference.