Back to School - some thoughts

As our children head back to school for the start of a new year we are often filled with mixed emotions. On the one hand there is a little relief that the long holidays are over (if we are being totally honest :), but there is also a nostalgia that stirs in our hearts. 

Our emotions are a mixture of pride in our ever-growing kids, but also a sadness that they are no longer the little toddlers they once were. We are also anxious about what the school year holds for each of them, and we hold very real questions in our hearts too: 

• will they settle down and make friends? 
• will they cope? 
• will they study hard? 
• will they adapt? 
• what issues will prove to be a distraction for our kids? 
• who will be a positive influence on our kids? 

As I reflect on our youngest son starting grade 9 this year, he is the last of our 3 boys still at school. Our older sons have now finished and will both be studying at university. All I can think is this: Time certainly flies. It seems like it was just yesterday that they were starting out at Grade 1.

So, as the school year begins, let us pray for all children and teachers returning to the classroom. Let us hold them all in our hearts and ask God to strengthen all involved in the education of our young people. There is so much 'wrong' in our country at this time, but we can still pray that the next generation are prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. Let us pray that many of them will be our true future leaders.

Lord, in your mercy. Please, hear our prayer!

Nelson Mandela - "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." 

Psalm 86:11 - Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Another Milestone

Today we had the privilege of attending our eldest sons Valedictory Service. This was his last official school function before he sits to write his Final exams and it was a bitter-sweet moment for us as parents. When your children start out in life you are very quick to record the milestones along the way:

the first time they crawl, or walk; 

their first teeth, and then when they lose a tooth;

their first day at creche, and then primary school, first school concerts and sports matches;

their first awards and disappointments;

then finishing primary school and starting high school;

getting a learners driving license, finishing their last sports match, or official day at school....

All these milestones are marked along the way and they form part of helping our kids grow up and prepare for the world around them. It is a bitter-sweet moment because we have spent 18 years praying and hoping, encouraging and guiding them, but our work (in it's present role) is fast coming to an end.

 However, despite the sadness and nostalgia of this moment, we are deeply grateful for being parents. We know that there will be plenty more Milestones in his future and we entrust him into the safe hands of our loving Saviour. 

Psalm 25:6 - Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, God; Rebuild the ancient landmarks!

What milestone are you currently experiencing in your life?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

 

Which books to read?

Have you ever had a conversation with a friend and they ask you:
"Have you read _____________ book?"
Either their comments can make you decide to get a copy of that book or they may influence you to give it a miss.

I keep getting emails from book clubs and shops promoting free/cheap books. I am the first to admit that I really LOVE reading and I am a sucker f
or a good bargain, but I could never read every book that comes my way. In fact, there are so many books in print (hard copy and digital) that we could never ever get through them all in our life time.

Google estimates that there are over 130 million books available for us to read at the moment. So, if you started reading one book a month/week from today, you would only explore 12/52 books a year, for the rest of your life. Depending on how long you have to live, that only leaves a few books to read. At best we could only get through a few hundred of the 130 million, so here is the million dollar question: Which books would those be? Amongst the millions there are certainly a lot of 'trash', but there are guaranteed to be many hidden gems.

So, what I would love from you all, is to know which books you would choose to put on your list?
Please reply to this email and let me know which books you would recommend - even if it is just one. I will compile a simple list from your replies and post it in a few days time. In that way, we may get to discover some awesome new books.

 “A room without books is like a body without a soul.” - Marcus Cicero

 “There is no friend as loyal as a book.” - Ernest Hemingway


Living in Grace
D3LM3