Keeping our perspectives right

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As we approach the start of the written papers for PSLE* (oral exams started in August), I can feel the rise of tension, especially this time round as I got to know more mothers whose children are also taking PSLE with our 3rd child.

The previous two times I was rather oblivious to the tension as only a few mothers from church would ask about it. As I was too busy and tired dealing with the toddler-and-baby combo both times round to get together with any other moms, I had merely plodded along alone to get through the national exams* that all children who are Singaporean citizens are required by Law to sit through. On hindsight, it was a good thing! Lol! Ok so I missed the camaraderie I am enjoying this time round but I also missed feeding off each other’s worry and stress! Especially once we start talking about clearing the dreaded benchmark for homeschoolers.*

But even as I feel the muscles in my neck and shoulders tensing up, the slight churning in my tummy and increased histamine release (leading to more scratching on the eczema prone areas) as I go through test paper after test paper with the said child, I remind myself that I must rest in God’s Providence and to keep the correct perspective.

For while I am angsting about said child clearing the benchmark (it was 200 for last year’s batch!) there are mothers in Israel, Syria and the Gaza Strip (**), amongst other war torn countries who would give anything to be worrying about something as a banal as the PSLE!

Their children live daily under the fear and threat of death and painful death at that! Their entire family is suffering the horrors of the encroaching and increasing cruel reign of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). We must all have heard some of these stories : stories of the beheading of young children in Mosul (Iraq), and hostages held by ISIS which includes journalists and aid workers; young girls and women being used sand/or traded as sex slaves, some even by their own fathers. The list of horrors goes on. Meanwhile there is the very recent news of Australia discovering and foiling a possible ISIS plot to behead as many people as possible in Sydney! Even closer to home are reports that there may be possible ISIS members already in Indonesia, and Malaysia. All too close to home!

Perspective.

Besides the worrying spectre of increasing support ISIS seems to be having worldwide, appealing to disgruntled groups of people, there has also been so many large scale tragedies this year : the still unsolved mystery of the disappearance of MH370, then the downing of MH17 over Ukrainian airspace, and then Ebola virus taking away thousands of lives in Africa and the Sheol ferry sinking. All these people would give anything to worry over a national exam instead of grieving over loved ones.

Perspective.

Nearer home, a friend shared that a secondary student she used to teach just collapsed and died the day after she met up with him. I am very sure his mother would rather he be the last in his class than never to hear or see him anymore.

Perspective.

Is the PSLE that important? In peacetime, maybe. In these end days, it grows increasingly less so. I am not saying ignore the exams and tests or be a school dropout. But I am talking about looking at the world and its demands through a different lens.

We are indeed living in the last days. I am no doomsday prophet but anyone can see that the signs of the end times as outlined in the Bible are increasingly happening now. More than in any other time period. It is both exciting and scary. Will we (me, included) let the cares of the world (Mark 4:19) distract us so that we are not ready to meet our Lord and Saviour? More than ever before, we need to get our act together and be ready to face that great and terrible day! And as much of a burden PSLE can get to be. especially for us homeschoolers, it is nothing compared to facing the wrath of God.

So we will do our best as unto The Lord (Colossians 3:23) and trust that the way ahead has already been paved for us by The Lord.

* PSLE is the Primary School Leaving Examinations that every child who is a Singaporean citizen is required to sit for as per the Compulsory Education Law. And homeschoolers are required to clear the exams at a higher level than the children in public schools.

** In light of the current events happening in the Middle East that is confusing and mind boggling, I suggest that you quickly sign up for The Beginning of The End, an Awakening Event by Archippus Awakening. Come and listen to a brother in Christ explain how these events line up with bible prophecy. Limited seats left!

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