It Starts With You | Be Encouraged

It’s important for children to realise that there is more to life than what they see. This summer, when I asked the children what they wanted to be when they grew up, some said, “I want to be happy”, some wanted to be a teacher or soldier. Others were unsure. My colleague and I decided to look at our own selves, and think about what we want when we “grow up”. Here’s what I wrote: “I want to be the happiest girl in the world! When I get scared, I want to try anyway. In a few years I would like to visit, Mauritius, Nigeria and somewhere in Asia. I would like to help as many people as possible, and learn as much as I can.”

If we want children to answer difficult questions, it helps to sometimes put our children’s hat on and ask ourselves the same questions. What do you want your future to look like? Or better yet, what do you want the future of others to look like? For me, I want the children of St. Thomas to be safe, happy, fulfilled and have greater opportunities than generations before. I want children to be treated as first-class citizens, treated with respect and dignity. Disciplined with wisdom and consistency, not violence. To grow up with support and love, leading them to empower and influence positively the lives of their own children and community.

You are never too old to have ambition and never too young either. Your most basic desires are basically achievable, if you act on them. “For if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” | James 1:5. Be encouraged and follow your heart and mind.

What do you want to be when you grow up?