We live in an ever changing world of dissatisfied people. Everyone dreams of a future that is better than the present and work tirelessly to find the secret to a better life. I am amazed to see how many self-help fads are advertised which promise something more and better.
Over the holiday period, one of our staff and her family went to Fiji for a holiday. As you know, during the holiday period, Fiji was hit with massive storms and cyclonic conditions. This family witnessed how the Fijian community lived in the face of disaster, living in bare shacks for shelter, but so engaged with life. The lives of these children contained far less than our youth in Australia, yet they were totally engaged in life. They were engaged in the present. Finding each moment full of excitement and adventure. In contrast we find ourselves often dreaming of the future rather than the engagement of the present. We certainly have created a complex world in which we live, failing to see the beauty of each moment and enjoying the potential of each opportunity.
The holy grail for Australians appears to have changed in the last 50 years. Once the aim was to work hard to pay off a mortgage and then enjoy retirement pottering around the house with the grandchildren. Many grandparents today would fit this description and are very happy doing just this. Certainly younger generations seek much more for their future, but often at the expense of the present. The future becomes a calculated goal, rather than a journey through the beauty of life. In my opinion, we are robbing our children of some of the beauty of life.
My wife and I have a favourite scripture that we quote regularly.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11
In quoting this we accept the need to plan, but we also acknowledge that God has a plan for our life that surpasses all of the plans that we could dream of. Every experience builds us as individuals and a couple towards the future that God has in store for us. Through these experiences, both positive and negative we see our characters built and refined, enabling us to be ready for the next stage of our lives.
Through continually seeking to build our faith and trust in God, we more and more can appreciate each moment and enjoy each experience.
I am fully aware of the need to plan and be organised, please do not think for one minute that I am suggesting the need to stop this, but what I am suggesting is that we need to start enjoying each moment more. We need to teach our children that life is a collection of experiences and we need to trust that God is building our character through these experiences in preparation for the future he has in store for us. Through faith our path become clear. When we plan less and trust more, our hearts soften and our faith grows. This is what I would love our children to understand, so that they are less enticed by the temptations of self-help programs to improve their life. If you need help in getting this balance right with your children, please contact us for some helpful ideas.
Jeff Davis, PRINCIPAL
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