“My child has never had a B.” Countless parents have sat in my classroom with this complaint. Some cry. Some are angry. But they all want the same thing…for me to change my practices, so their child will not know the sting of what they perceive is rejection.

This is the society we live in today. Disagreement is considered devaluing. An opposing opinion is considered betrayal. If anyone dares to disagree, we call them heathens or phobic. People whose views do not align with ours are either condemned to hell or shunned (boycotted).

But the truth is, we ALL need correcting from time time. In Luke 9, Jesus corrected his good friends the disciples three times, once referring to them as a “perverse” nation. His disciples wanted to annihilate an entire village. They all got an F that day. Jesus didn’t disown them. He corrected them as friends and moved forward.

Here are 8 life lessons I want to instill into my students and their parents. We could change our culture if we heeded this advice:

1. Just because I disagree with you doesn’t mean I hate you.
2. We can disagree without devaluing or vilifying those with whom we disagree.
3. Correction is necessary. Don’t take it personal. Learn and move forward.
4. No matter how hard you try, you will not always get an A in life. Learn from your failures.
5. Correction is best received from one with whom you have relationship.
6. The lesson learned is more valuable than the grade received.
7. It is better to be righteous than right.
8. When in doubt, choose love. Choose honor. Choose respect.

“My child, don’t underestimate the value of the discipline and training of the Lord God, or get depressed when he has to correct you. For the Lord’s training of your life is the evidence of his faithful love. And when he draws you to himself, it proves you are his delightful child.””
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:5-6‬ ‭TPT‬‬