Last week my daughter called me from Maryland in tears.
It was the first day of kindergarten for her firstborn child.
She: “Mom, putting Lucas on the bus was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
Me: “I know. I remember how I felt when I sent you off to kindergarten.”
She: “What was worse was he was so excited, he got on the bus before I could even take his picture.”
Me: “I’m sorry. But at least you will have the memory.”
She: “When he found his seat, I walked to where he was sitting and told him through the window that I was sorry I didn’t get a picture of him getting on the bus. He told me, ‘Oh, Mom, you can take my picture later. After all, I’ll be getting on the bus every day!’”
Me: “That’s my boy!”
She: “I think I’m going home and make some apple turnovers maybe even a pie so Lucas can have some when he gets home from school.”
Me: “But don’t you have to go to work today?”
She: “No, I took the day off work. I wanted to carry on the tradition.”
Me: “The tradition?”
She: “You know. THE tradition … the one where you took off work on the first day of school each year and baked some really nice treats for us when we got home from school. I always loved it when you did that and I want to carry on the same tradition with my kids.”
Through my laughter, I told my daughter I was amazed that she thought those first day of school traditions of taking off work and baking goodies were for her! Didn’t she know those things were for my benefit, not for her or her brother? I took off work because I wanted the entire day in the house alone. With my husband at work and my children (thankfully) now in school, I used the day for some wonderful traditions of my own: reading a good book with no children interrupting me while smelling something wonderful baking in the oven.
She: “Well, that explains your lack of tears when we got on the bus! But as far as tradition goes, it’s not a bad one, is it?”
Me: “Enjoy your day, sweetheart. You’ve waited five years for it, now go enjoy it!”
Traditions can be great things. There’s a certain comfort in doing the same things in the same way at the same time with the same people and getting the same results. There’s nothing wrong with tradition — if we know why we are being traditional. However, just because we grew up doing — or worshipping or singing — a certain way does not mean we fully understand what the Bible says about what we are doing — or worshipping or singing.
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human traditions and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ,” (Colossians 2:8).
Verna Davis, speaker and writer, may be reached at vrdspeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
Related Photos
-
Verna Davis
Discussion
The Joy Lady: Nothing wrong with tradition — if we know why we are being traditional
- Religion
-
-
Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Terre Haute residents are invited to donate their shoes to help millions of peopleworldwide with a shoe drive at Cross Lane Community Church on June 2.
- Church briefs: May 18, 2013
-
The Joy Lady: A good morning: everything that rises must converge
Last Monday, I had a good morning.
-
Unity Presbyterian plans retirement open house
The congregation of Unity Presbyterian Church will stage a retirement celebration open house to honor the church’s pastor, Linda Jo Peters, from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 19 at 1207 E. Springhill Drive.
-
Organist will be the featured guest at church
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej will be the featured guest at an organ recital at 4 p.m. on May 19 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 645 Poplar St.
-
THE JOY LADY: Call your mom; tell her you love her, that you miss her
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution proclaiming “the second Sunday in May to be hereafter known as ‘Mother’s Day.’”
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 11, 2013
-
Celebrate the women in your life with The Living Rosary
On Friday, May 10, join the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods for The Living Rosary and experience the grace and power many people have discovered by “praying by hand.”
-
THE JOY LADY: When awe leaves us, we leave room for doubt
In any given gathering of grade-schoolers or even a gaggle of teenagers, in all likelihood, you will hear certain words over and over:
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
- RELIGION BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
-
Good Friday service today at St. George Orthodox
St. George Orthodox Church at 1900 S. Fourth St., Terre Haute, will celebrate its Good Friday service at 7 p.m. today (May 3) and its Easter service at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Agape (Love) service will be conducted at noon on Sunday.
-
Organist’s concert May 5
Organist Jonathan Rudy will be in concert performing works from the 1600’s to the present day at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Central Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Seventh St.
The concert is free and open to the public. -
THE JOY LADY: Christ is coming again. Are you ready for that?
An older couple had a grandfather clock that announced each hour with the ringing of chimes.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 27, 2013
-
THE JOY LADY: Let us pray that our hearts be blessed by God
Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my uncle and his family in Florida.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 20, 2013
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
-
THE JOY LADY: You can learn a lot from a box of crayons
Denis Omar is a handsome third-grader in Ocotillo, Honduras. The last time I was in his home, his colored chalk drawings decorated the concrete block walls. His mother said when she got tired of one drawing, she’d wash the wall and have Denis draw another.
- RELIGION BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
-
BBQ fundraiser April 13 at Allen Chapel
Historic Allen Chapel’s annual barbecue dinner fundraiser is Saturday, April 13, in the Chapel at Third and Crawford streets. Serving will be from noon to 6 p.m. with a full-line of dinner, sandwiches, sides and desserts available. Chef Stephen Miller, formerly owner of the Black Skillet and now a caterer in Cincinnati, will again prepare the barbecue.
-
THE JOY LADY: Most complaints tend to be pretty selfish
Complainers never think they are in the wrong. How could they be when they know everyone else is so wrong?
-
Church briefs: April 6, 2013
What's going on this week at area churches.
-
THE JOY LADY: Our attendance in worship services encourages other worshippers
There are all kinds of church attendees. Some attend church services once or twice a month, some once or twice a year. Some attend only Sunday morning worship.
-
African children’s choir to perform at Mount Pleasant
The Watoto Children’s Choir, traveling from Africa, began its five-month eastern U.S. tour in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on Oct. 6 and are continuing the tour through Terre Haute, Lebanon, Indianapolis, Peru, Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville and Vevay, from April 16 to May 1. All performances are free and open to the public.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 30, 2013
- Religion briefs: March 30, 2013
-
THE JOY LADY: Is it time to change your habits, attitudes?
I’m usually introduced to people as “the preacher’s wife.” No name, just “the preacher’s wife.” But I’d prefer being known by what I call my “I am” statements. For instance, I am a wife. I am a speaker, I am a writer. I am a mother, I am a mother-in-law, I am a grandmother.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 23, 2013
-
Public invited to explore Guerin’s connection to nature
The Sisters of Providence invite the public to St. Mary-of-the-Woods on April 6 to explore Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her connection to nature.
- More Religion Headlines
-
Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla.
Raw: Suspects Butt Dial 911, Lead to Arrest
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Active Search for Utah Missing Mom Ends
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
IWitness Look at Moore, OK Tornado
Trailer: 'The Last Stand' Available on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Digital Download
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir
Reporter Cries Over Devastation
Sneak Peek: 'Modern Family' Says Good Bye
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school
Robert Pattinson Moves Out
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
Oklahoma tornado survivor: "Everything is gone"
Khloe Lashes Out at Kim Kardashian's Critics
Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window
RAW: Brad Paisley Forgets Lyrics To His Own Song
Justin Bieber Gets Booed
New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos
Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction
Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom
Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip
Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards
