First Day of School

‘Tis the season—oh for sure it’s not Christmas time yet, but there are, if you want to know, 121 shopping days left until then.  No, the season I’m talking about is the beginning of another school year.
 
For me, I don’t remember too many early childhood “first-day-of-school” memories.  But I do remember not liking school at all.
 
My Dad once shared his “first-day-of-school” memory.  After riding his horse to school, the teachers sent him home.  Why?  He couldn’t speak or understand a word of English.  You see, his parents were immigrants from Germany.  So, at home, Dad and his parents spoke German.  I’m pretty sure the language of the house quickly moved from German to English after that first day of school.
 
I’m not an educator, but I know in today’s world, Dad would have had an English Second Language teacher to accommodate him.  That was unheard of back then, so he learned English at home.
 
I still remember Mom and Dad and both sets of grandparents often speaking more German than English.  I always thought they were speaking German to keep secrets from me.  Now today, I hear many foreigners speaking their native language, and I think, when I hear them, the same thing. J  Also, I think to myself that my ancestors learned English when they came to America, why shouldn’t everyone else?
 
But you know what?  I better get used to foreign languages because the Bible describes the people who will be in heaven with me.  From Revelations 7:9, “After this, I saw a vast crowd, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb.”  Yes, it’s going to a be diverse and colorful crowd.
 
Looking forward to that first day in heaven.
 
Love you,
 
Pastor Allan
P.S.  If you aren’t looking forward to the first day of school….I understand! J
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