Daring to admit spanking your child, even once, might instigate an investigation. Darius Leeson did not expect this. Certainly not at his first sitting as a newly elected board of school trustees member. New faces to the four year terms stood out like a BMW 2 door, ebony black hardtop in a parking lot of sedans and minivans. Darius knew it belonged to 3 term Board Chair, Priscilla Goodwin, or Prissy as she preferred. In the school board meeting room, congratulatory conversation buzzed among the 5 trustees. Priscilla veiled her assurance to continue chairperson duties with humble acknowledgements of her third term incumbency.
Edgar Ambleside had retired from the board with a year remaining. He’d claimed personal reasons. The Tim Hortons morning brigade stirred up tasty, darker motivations involving real estate investments. Darius won the battle for a new face on the board. As expected, all incumbents gained re-election. Voters selected Darius between three new candidates on the ballot.
Darius and Diane, his wife of 16 years, contributed 2 sons, 15 and 13 and a daughter, 11 to the student population. Engaged participation in activities requiring parental involvement served well on election day, Darius figured. Leadership roles for youth groups at their church factored also. With Diane often at his side, campaigning targeted neighbourhood door-knocking and meeting face to face as much as possible. Making his faith known in gentle ways had elicited only a few brazen comments of negativity.
Behavioural challenges rear up in any organized youth activities. School involvement taught Darius the absolute necessity to incorporate the term ‘inclusive’. This ensured anyone in earshot of compliance with, for instance, gender complexities. In relation to Bible teachings Darius struggled at times.
A cursory vote confirmed Priscilla Goodwin as chair. After a humble thank you, she folded her hands prayer-like on the table. “So, Mr.Leeson, would you offer to tell us a little detail about yourself that we most likely don’t know? An inclusive family atmosphere provides a cornerstone for this group.”
He nodded at the unexpected request. “Hmm. Diane and I are very proud parents of three excelling children in this school district. As s a parent there were very occasional,instances when I gave nominal spankings to our two sons.” Darius watched smiling faces disappear as if they were stunned by an Arctic cold front.
His inner voice exclaimed. “What were you thinking?”
“I…we…Diane and I, believe appropriate discipline provides some of the foundation for children to understand there are behavioural boundaries.” He added. “Consequences are necessary in line with…”
Priscilla cut him short. “I will ask you to retire from this meeting Mr. Leeson. This is not personal.” Her hands remained clasped on the table but her eyes stabbed like icicles. “If you wouldn’t mind going into the room down the hall and closing the door, we will call you back.” Her left hand with the gleaming diamond ring pointed toward the proper door. “We won’t be long.”
10 minutes seemed like an hour. Darius prayed in silence.
A light tap on the door and a ladies voice he recognized as a trustee said. “Its okay to come back now” Priscilla apologised with calm words. “We just needed to process your comments Mr. Leeson. Your candor caught me…..us off guard.” She leaned forward over the table. “But we just think it would be best if this did not become part of your public dialogue as a trustee.” Her mouth maneuvered into a warm smile. But eyes locked on Darius’. “Will you be able to give your word on that.?”
Darius valued eye to eye contact as a messaging tool. “Yes Mrs. Goodwin”. His gaze swung to
“I…we…Diane and I, believe appropriate discipline provides some of the foundation for children to understand there are behavioural boundaries.” He added. “Consequences are necessary in line with…”
Priscilla cut him short. “I will ask you to retire from this meeting Mr. Leeson. This is not personal.” Her hands remained clasped on the table but her eyes stabbed like icicles. “If you wouldn’t mind going into the room down the hall and closing the door, we will call you back.” Her left hand with the gleaming diamond ring pointed toward the proper door. “We won’t be long.”
10 minutes seemed like an hour. Darius prayed in silence.
A light tap on the door and a ladies voice he recognized as a trustee said. “Its okay to come back now” Priscilla apologised with calm words. “We just needed to process your comments Mr. Leeson. Your candor caught me…..us off guard.” She leaned forward over the table. “But we just think it would be best if this did not become part of your public dialogue as a trustee.” Her mouth maneuvered into a warm smile. But eyes locked on Darius’. “Will you be able to give your word on that.?”
Darius valued eye to eye contact as a messaging tool. “Yes Mrs. Goodwin”. His gaze swung to each of the trustees. “I truly apologise for over stepping. I did not mean to. If needed you are welcome to ask Mark and Scott . Great kids.”
At home that evening, Darius shared the events with Diane. “Next session of our community group Bible Study, let’s study veils that Jesus used. On several occasions, Jesus held his love for every person so deeply. I think He veiled it under lessons of tough love to teach and transform.
Like when he confronted the rich young ruler in Mark 10:21 about giving up his riches
Or when he rebuked the Pharisees in Matthew 23.”
Diane chimed in. He asked us to love and pray for enemies. Or when He asked us to turn the other cheek.”
Darius mused. “Veils are complex tools. Veils hide bad and they hide good.”
