Character Trumps Academics

Academics Are About YOU.
Character Development Is About THEM & JESUS.

It’s so hard to get out of the fear loop in your mind—the fear that people might find out that you are a sinner and that your babies are sinners. (Spoiler alert: do I even need to say it?)

We so desperately want to show the world how wonderful our kids are for multiple reasons, but the sinful, prideful reasons tend to take up most of our energy.

I know that stings a little. It stings me even as I type it. But it’s true for me, and it’s true for you.

I wanted my kids to shine academically so that I looked like a rockstar homeschool mom.
I wanted my kids to shine in their extracurriculars so that everyone would be in awe of how awesome I am.

It was a shield I wanted to wield so that no one would see my struggles.

Sitting here at the end, looking at my beautiful, well-rounded, adult children, I can see something:

Academics fade away. If you miss something academically, it can be easily rectified.
Character development remains for the long haul.

Can you name all the 50 state capitals right now, with no review?
You could, once upon a time, in the 4th grade, but you probably can’t now.
Hurry, whip out the quadratic equation—go!

(If you can, you’re a nerd, and I want to be your friend. But you get my point, right? There are things from your academic experience that you have forgotten, correct?)

I’m not implying that academics aren’t important. Reading, writing, logic, knowing history—all those things are essential.
I’m with you on that. I am by no means saying, “Don’t worry about or do the academics.” I’m not.

But, as someone with adult children, the time we spent on things like:

• Hard work
• Telling the truth
• Defending the defenseless
• Selflessness
• Loyalty
• Kindness, etc.

…means more now than academics ever did.

Watching my adult children do life with deep character and wisdom beyond their years gives me more pride than ANY academic achievement in the world could ever give me.

Seeing my babies “adult” with deep character, despite my sin issues, is awe-inspiring because I 100% know it’s the Lord’s work, not mine.

So, can I encourage you to do the things—get into the academics—but hold them loosely.
Grip tight. Spend the most time, energy, and prayer on their hearts and their character.

It’s more important, and you will not regret it.