Pro-D Day

2 Corinthians 3:2 – You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. (NIV)

The words "Pro-D Day" (or "PD Day" in some places) will certainly stir up different feelings with anyone who has children in the school system. "Pro-D Day" stands for "Professional Development Day", and that is the day that the children get to stay home because there is no school for them. So of course, this is also the day that parents, especially parents who work outside the home, have to figure out what to do with the children.

I realize I might be in the minority here, but I really do look forward to Pro-D Days. I do work outside of my home but I'm also fortunate enough to have the type of job that I can schedule around days like Pro-D Days. I see Pro-D Days as another opportunity to do something special with my children.

However, it doesn't always work out that way. On our last Pro-D Day, I did have to schedule a meeting, but at the house. And the minute that person was out of the house, my mind was quickly turned to the children. We then headed down to Subway® for a sub and then over to pick up some groceries, then to the Dairy Queen® for dessert, and on the way home, we picked up some videos to watch. As you can tell, we didn't do anything that special, but what was special to all of us was that we were together. The icing on the cake, for me, was as we sat around watching one of the videos, the phone rang. It was a friend who wanted to do something, but my son said, "No, I'm watching a movie with my family."

I often wonder what we are passing down to our children, what they are picking up from us. Just as in today's verse from 2 Corinthians, our children really are our letters, known and read by everybody. There's one very simple thing that I do every day with our children, almost without thinking. Whenever they leave to go to school or anywhere, I always say, "Love you," and they always respond, "Love you, too, Mom." It's just a simple thing, but I've noticed lately that my nine-year-old son has caught himself saying to his friends as they leave our home, "Love you"; then, realizing what he's said, has said, "Just kidding!" I had to chuckle; a nine-year-old boy saying "Love you" to another nine-year-old boy is not the accepted thing these days, but if our children can grow up knowing they are loved by us and by God, maybe their friends will grow up knowing they are loved, too.

We are called to be a living letter, known and read by everyone around us. Do you know what people are seeing when they read your letter?

Prayer: Loving God, it is an awesome responsibility to be a living letter for You. Help us not to miss any of the opportunities You put before us to be that living letter for You with those around us in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Editor's note: Pro-D Days are also great opportunities for grandparents to do something with their grandchildren. Many school districts will be having a Pro-D Day this Friday, February 14, in advance of Family Day on Monday. Check it out!