We have a tradition in our family that many of you probably share.
Each birthday, the children take their shoes off, stand up against the wall, and we measure their growth, checking their progress from the previous year. For our children (although most of them are adults now) this is a cause of great conversation and comparison as they see how they measure up to their siblings (and parents) and discuss their “planned” growth trajectory (i.e. who they are going to lord it over when they reach their anticipated goal). I have one daughter who, although her growth ended when she was in Year 8, continues to insist that she “is still growing” and I have often been told that I am old and I’m only going to get shorter whilst they grow.
“In most cases, these are ‘hope-filled’ conversations about the success of reaching milestones or the plans for continued growth. ”
We have many ways that we measure our children; by height, shoe size, results, levels of accomplishment. They themselves are often eager, like my children on their birthdays, to see how they ‘measure up’. In most cases, these are ‘hope-filled’ conversations about the success of reaching milestones or the plans for continued growth. As teachers and parents, we are blessed to have many conversations with students who we know have incredible, God-given potential, that may remain untapped or holds the promise of even greater growth. These are, by-and-large, positive conversations that look forward to the fulfilment of the promise in their lives, the encouragement for our children to ‘Be Your Best’.
“Sometimes, however, these conversations can be challenging for us when we realise that we have fallen short of what we had hoped or expected; that the goal was beyond us and that we need support to make it.”
Sometimes, however, these conversations can be challenging for us when we realise that we have fallen short of what we had hoped or expected; that the goal was beyond us and that we need support to make it. This ‘gap’ can be heart-breaking but it provides an opportunity for growth that is potentially even more valuable. There come opportunities in our lives when we can openly acknowledge that we are not flawless people and, a recognition that we need the grace of God, freely given, so that we may attain “…to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). That growth is of truly eternal value when we understand our right relationship with God, that the “…gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
The strength of Christian Education is in acknowledging that our children (and we) need to grow in each of the dimensions of life, physically, academically, socially and spiritually. As parents we can plan for and delight in the growth of our children in all its many facets but we understand that sometimes the hard lessons bring the greatest growth and the things that will truly endure.
Scott Ambrose — Principal