“Crave the Ordinary!” Could you imagine this as a corporate slogan? Back in the 1980’s, the corporate star marketing executive in the movie Mr. Mom, Michael Keaton, was fired for such honest and ordinary ideas such as “Volvo, Boxy but Good”. We understand do we not? The typical American consumer-citizen wants an extraordinary experience, quality, prestige, and luxury from a Volvo not just a good, pricy, boxy car. Ordinary is not in vogue – and it never seems to be.
But the Holy Scriptures are filled with admonitions to pursue the ordinary – and I am not talking about cars! While speaking in tongues is a Biblical reality and a supernatural, extraordinary gift to some in the Church (Of course, some Christians believe that the special “tongue” speaking gift ceased with the apostles.), Paul urges believers to seek Love, Hope, and Faith. Similarly, we find Wisdom, Work, and Obedience emphasized by Solomon. Hosea lived out “fidelity” to a very unfaithful wife. Job had devoted friends and Job loved his family. Our God has made it clear; ordinary, mundane, virtues are the standards for His people.
Recently, a child at ECS told me she wanted to be a world famous pianist. Another told me she wanted to be a world renowned ballerina. And I know others who would like to be world class athletes – baseball players and the like. Now, all of these dreams and goals are wonderful goals, and perhaps some of these children will, Lord willing, be famous in some unique way; however, the path to greatness in every case is paved with the stones of everyday virtues as those listed above. Therefore, the crux of the matter is essentially how do you as parents help your children CRAVE the ORDINARY.
I have two simple answers: your example and literature. While the Lord and you are the experts on your example, here are few things to consider about how great books can stir our children to greatness through the exaltation of the ordinary. For instance, this year two of my children will be reading Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson. In this work, two men, alike in honor, but devout enemies by political affiliation are providentially paired for an adventure. Their dynamic relationship for good or ill crystallizes the ordinary virtue of friendship. One senses that these friends, though far from perfect, know a different quality of friendship. Friendship overshadows politics. Loyalty to death overwhelms ethnic affiliation. Freedom to speak the truth even-when-it hurts deeply engenders further depth in their friendship rather than estrangement.
What great works of literature do that our words and sometimes our example do not do are make these ordinary virtues beautiful, noble, lovely, divine. Great literature poignantly affects the reader. Great books ennoble. Classic works build souls, and assist our young to see ordinary virtues as peaks of a majestic mountain range. The children who climb through these pages receive the ironic reward: the mountain top experiences in literature revolve around everyday norms and standards.
Furthermore, I marvel at how these examples in literature often mirror some exhortation by God in the Scriptures: “Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13) or “Faithful are the wounds of friend” (Proverbs 27:6). David and Jonathan’s friendship seems to be the prototype for David and Alec in Kidnapped, Gimli and Legolas in Lord of the Rings, Pip and Joe in Great Expectations, and so many others. Tolle Lege – pick up and read!!
Reforming Parenting & School 