We had our Sport’s Days last week. Our Year 3 to 6s went to SA Athletics Stadium last Wednesday and our Foundations to 2s had their day here at school last Friday. What amazing days they were. The kids had a ball. Mr Campbell, our staff, volunteers and Sport’s House captains did a fantastic job and my thanks go to you all. When I first started to reflect on things, I began to recall the things we were not able to do that we have in the past. Then I stopped. I grabbed my thinking by the scruff of the neck and said, “Hang on. Rather than spending too long on what we didn’t have or couldn’t do, or the demands and complications, have a think about what we were able to enjoy.” In times of stress and uncertainty, it is so easy to miss what we have and are able to do. I love this saying from a German writer, “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.” (Alphonse Karr)

I wrote last term about the “Scarcity Society” we live in (we focus on what we don’t have) and this is another reminder. While our children need to know about their rights, we also need to create a sense of gratitude in them about the amazing blessings we do have. I have found one of the best ways to respond to my thoughts of what I don’t have, what I should have, what I’m missing out on, is to create a habit of gratefulness. This does not happen after one or two times, but needs practice to make it a habit. A friend sent me a link this morning to a song called, “Raise a Hallelujah.”  The chorus of that song has these words “I'm gonna sing, in the middle of the storm, Louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar . . .”

The habit of gratefulness is another great resilience builder for our children, but also for us as adults. The challenges of 2020 are a great time to hone the skills and habits of gratefulness and model and discuss them to our kids.

The Bible writer Paul wrote this, “And we also have joy with our troubles because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope.  And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. God gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

Have a great week with your kids,

Mark B