Hopefulness

Like me, you might have filed away in the back of your brain a few words, phrases or sentences that come from movies or television shows you have seen over the years.

‘Tell him he’s dreaming’. ‘I’ll be back!’ ‘You’re terrible, Muriel’. ‘It’s got to be done.’

In the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, the energetic and ever optimistic hotel manager, Sonny, often responds to tough and challenging circumstances with the words ‘Everything will be alright in the end so if it is not alright it is not yet the end’. Such words of hopefulness and looking forward with confidence.

What are you looking forward to? Maybe a special celebration, a holiday, or even just some time to yourself. Maybe it is something bigger or longer term; a new job or career, or seeing your children grow into young adults and make their own way in the world. What are our children looking forward to? We trust that they have much to look forward to and want them to look to their futures with confidence and optimism. However, in a world that is plagued by tensions, conflict and global challenges we can worry about the future, and so can our children.

As much as ever, I think, our children need their families, schools and communities to be places of hope and optimism. Christian schools like Faith College can, and should, be places of hope. Lutheran schools are first and foremost Christian schools; places where God is at the centre and where we, as His followers, live in and under His promises.

Soon we will again celebrate Christmas. We will put out Christmas lights and hang up Christmas decorations. There will be Christmas wreaths on front doors and on kitchen tables. Christmas carols will be played in homes and shopping centres. Behind each of these traditions sits the message of a God who loves us and cared enough to come and live among us to bring hope. Jesus the light of the world, and as we sing, ‘Mary’s boy-child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day’.

So be hope-filled. Yes, life in this troubled world will have its uncertainties, struggles and hurts but trust and live in the promises of God. We have much to look forward to. Our children need to see and hear this message. God goes with us, and as He promises, everything will be alright in the end.

Peter Weier
Acting Head of Junior School