Report Card Time
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
Fall is here – all the signs say so – the sky darkens early as clocks are turned back to “real” time, leaves pile around doors and cover the faded green grass, jackets are brought out for protection from the cold rain, and it is Report Card time.
The First Quarter Report Card will soon be here – not just an indicator of progress, but a harbinger of the future. Unlike my children, I never looked forward to Report Card Day. I would get my share of “A’s” and “B’s,” but there was always that “C” or “D” that popped up, usually in Spelling, sometimes in English, and a few times in “Deportment.”
Report Cards in my day consisted of small, folded card stock with my name, grade in school and teacher’s name neatly written on the cover. It was slid into a yellow pocket and was to be carried home, signed and returned the next day. There were no teacher conferences, Momma conferences were hard on the mind, and Daddy conferences could be hard on the behind.
Then I discovered that the better the grades I brought home, the less the consequences. I would study faithfully, turn in homework daily and spend hours neatly writing out my five-page reports. My hard work paid off – usually. I would get more grades above “C” level then below – more improvement then backsliding and life was good. But, no matter how hard I worked, no matter how many hours I spent at my desk, I still could never achieve perfection. I would get an “A-” or an “S-” or some other indictor of a non-perfect card. I would be frustrated and angry – tempted to give up and quit. But I never did – I plodded on and one day I did receive all “A’s” – when I received my Master’s Degree
My Report Card memories come crashing back each year at this time. They remind me of my final Report Card – the one that I will receive when I am called from this earth. No matter how hard I work in this world – I can never be perfect. I was born a sinner, live a sinner and will die a sinner. The Bible tells me that the wages of sin is death – I am a sinner. My Heavenly Report Card is “F” in deportment, “F” in Christian Living, and “F” in going to Heaven. However, Christ did something that only one other teacher has ever done – Mrs. Singenburger “gave” me an “A” in spelling when I deserved a “B.” God gives me an “A” when I deserve an “F.” God sent Jesus to take my sin away – my “F” became His “A.” His perfect life replaces my imperfect life.
God grades not on the curve – but on the Cross. Thank You for that – I will see you all in heaven!
Prayer – Thank you, God, for Jesus – my perfect Report Card.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
Fall is here – all the signs say so – the sky darkens early as clocks are turned back to “real” time, leaves pile around doors and cover the faded green grass, jackets are brought out for protection from the cold rain, and it is Report Card time.
The First Quarter Report Card will soon be here – not just an indicator of progress, but a harbinger of the future. Unlike my children, I never looked forward to Report Card Day. I would get my share of “A’s” and “B’s,” but there was always that “C” or “D” that popped up, usually in Spelling, sometimes in English, and a few times in “Deportment.”
Report Cards in my day consisted of small, folded card stock with my name, grade in school and teacher’s name neatly written on the cover. It was slid into a yellow pocket and was to be carried home, signed and returned the next day. There were no teacher conferences, Momma conferences were hard on the mind, and Daddy conferences could be hard on the behind.
Then I discovered that the better the grades I brought home, the less the consequences. I would study faithfully, turn in homework daily and spend hours neatly writing out my five-page reports. My hard work paid off – usually. I would get more grades above “C” level then below – more improvement then backsliding and life was good. But, no matter how hard I worked, no matter how many hours I spent at my desk, I still could never achieve perfection. I would get an “A-” or an “S-” or some other indictor of a non-perfect card. I would be frustrated and angry – tempted to give up and quit. But I never did – I plodded on and one day I did receive all “A’s” – when I received my Master’s Degree
My Report Card memories come crashing back each year at this time. They remind me of my final Report Card – the one that I will receive when I am called from this earth. No matter how hard I work in this world – I can never be perfect. I was born a sinner, live a sinner and will die a sinner. The Bible tells me that the wages of sin is death – I am a sinner. My Heavenly Report Card is “F” in deportment, “F” in Christian Living, and “F” in going to Heaven. However, Christ did something that only one other teacher has ever done – Mrs. Singenburger “gave” me an “A” in spelling when I deserved a “B.” God gives me an “A” when I deserve an “F.” God sent Jesus to take my sin away – my “F” became His “A.” His perfect life replaces my imperfect life.
God grades not on the curve – but on the Cross. Thank You for that – I will see you all in heaven!
Prayer – Thank you, God, for Jesus – my perfect Report Card.