Security is a topic with which I am quite familiar. The first example of security that entered my mind was a mental picture of my grandson, Justin, having a pacifier in his mouth and one in each hand as he traveled anywhere. Our friends who lived in the same apartment complex with Justin and his mother while J.T. was away in Desert Storm said it was the perfect picture of having security backup! I remember when Michelle said later that the day came when Justin threw the pacifier away. My first reaction was Did he really do that, or did he count on having his backups nearby?
My first graders readily share with one another during “Show and Tell” time. This is an opportunity for them to speak in front of an audience and to use their vocabulary in describing a special object. Almost all of them have taken the opportunity to show us their “security” stuffed toy which sleeps with them at night. Many of them, likewise, share a traumatic memory when they “lost” their favorite stuffed toy. For Justin, it was his teddy bear, Radar. Many parents went to great lengths to recover that special security sleeping partner. Almost weekly we have parents coming back to school to recover their preschooler’s security blanket which he/she used during naptime.
For the females of the population, security is basic need number one. It is not so high upon the list of the males. Thus, while our little girls are busy establishing “girls’ clubs” and “BFFs” during their recess times, little boys are just as busy playing “king of the mountain!” Nevertheless, all people need some form of security to have peace in their minds.
As a school superintendent, it gave me a feeling of security when I figured out everything that could possibly go wrong on a field trip, etc. and had plans in place for any and all emergencies. While it gave me security to know I was prepared, it made my family think I was just a pessimist. My school was located on the edge of the city, surrounded by farms and a cemetery. Security was most important to me as I entered and opened the school before daybreak, and often left after nightfall. Perhaps my own need for security was heightened when our school was robbed three times during my first year there. I went right to work getting my Board to help increase security.
Today, all of us in the field of education are concerned about terrorist shootings. We have taken a lot of our educational funds and converted them to “security” measures, equipment, and training. It is a shame that this has become the norm.
Security of mind is another kind of emotional state. This type of security allows us to sleep peacefully at night. It allows us to look forward to the day ahead of us each morning. This security comes when we are well prepared and competent in our chosen work. Luck may play a part in daily happenings, but competence provides us with a sustaining sense of security. That sense comes also with a requirement of keeping abreast of new developments, research, etc. When I am aware and abreast of the new research findings, my staff feels secure that we will get the job done in an efficient and noteworthy manner. My security helps them to feel more at ease with new requirements, ideas, and productivity.
Last of all, but most important, when I am secure in my relationship with God, I “can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.” This has been the secret of my life since I adopted it from the Bible at sixteen years of age. As I near seventy-six years, I am more aware of a new situation I am going to face…death. How wonderful it is to have faith in the Bible which assures me of the security my soul has in this unknown future. Although many people have determined to destroy the Bible and its contents, I am happy to say they have failed miserably. Because of its teachings and assurances, I now have security in even life’s last adventure…death.
- Kay