Recess & the Call to Civility

For a second grader, recess is just another word for freedom.

It was for me.

I still remember the anticipation—lining up at the door, knowing that just beyond it was a whole world of monkey bars, swings, and the thrill of the chase. There was laughter, joy, and the kind of wonder that only childhood can hold.

But not all my memories from recess are happy.

One day, I saw a group of boys taunting a classmate who was blind. They gave him a worm and convinced him to eat it. I watched from a distance—stunned, unsure, and silent. The bell rang. We went inside. I never found out if he was okay.

I’ve never forgotten that moment.

I didn’t stand up for him. I didn’t stop them. I didn’t speak out. And I wish I had. That day, something inside me shifted. I realized how painful it is to be “othered”—to be treated as less because of your differences. And I realized that the kind of home and world I wanted to be part of had to be different.

At Enterpraise, we believe that thriving starts at home—but not just in square footage or financial security. A truly thriving home is built on honor, empathy, and purpose. That means raising kids who see others. That means having dinner table conversations about dignity and kindness. That means building a family culture where no one gets left behind, ignored, or mistreated—whether in the house, on the playground, or in the world.

In Luke 7, Jesus is at a dinner party where a woman—uninvited and unwanted by the religious elite—kneels at His feet and pours out her love. Everyone else saw her past. Jesus saw her heart. That’s the kind of love and civility we want in our homes: the kind that sees, welcomes, and restores.

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A Family Call to Action

In a world growing louder and more divided, we need homes that choose the quiet strength of civility.
Let’s raise kids who are kind.
Let’s model what it means to honor others.
Let’s build spaces where people are safe, seen, and supported.

Here’s how to start:

• See Others: Pay attention to those who are overlooked—even at the dinner table.
• Speak Honor: Use words that uplift, especially in hard conversations.
• Practice Courage: Don’t stay silent in the face of injustice. Stand up with grace.

Let’s build homes that reflect the heart of Jesus—homes where civility isn’t an afterthought, but a foundation.