Welcome back to another great term at PCS! Earlier this week we took a team of over 100 students away to the Zone Athletics Carnival in Wagga Wagga. This was easily our biggest ever Zone team, which was made even more impressive by the 4:30am start for those on the bus!
It was a really great day which included some outstanding individual performances on the track and in the field. My favourite part of the day was watching the 4×100 relays, and not only because we won 3 of the 8 races! As the last event of the day, the relays always draw a lot of support from the crowd which was no different this year. Most schools lined the track to cheer their runners home. It is inspiring to watch the runners lift as they ran the final 100m in front of the cheering crowd. The impact of encouragement wasn’t lost on me and again left me pondering the place of encouragement in each of our lives.
Our memory verse this fortnight is Joshua 1:9 which says, Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” This was God’s encouragement to Joshua who was about to lead the Israelites into the land God had promised them. It was not going to be an easy journey! I don’t know about you, but if the universe creating God spoke those words to me, I reckon I’d stand a little taller, feel a little stronger and be inspired for the task ahead!
We might not have God speaking with us face to face, but God has given each of us the gift of encouragement, which is not by accident! Encouragement is a way of hearing the heart of God for us through others. I’m sure you can recall the positive impact it made to have someone encourage you in a specific area. You would also know how it feels to have people discourage you through careless words or even a targeted attack. People can be so unkind, however God calls each of us to be people who encourage each other, lift each other up, speak life into those around us and cheer each other on in our various endeavours.
Having worked with students and families now for over 20 years, time and time again I have seen first hand the impact encouragement can have on a young person’s life. Here at PCS, and in each of our families, we have the most incredible opportunity to raise young people who have people in their corner cheering them on and encouraging them in all aspects of life, not tearing them down. I’m not talking about token false flattery, but rather an intentional atmosphere where we are looking for opportunities to recognise the positive character traits, growth and achievements that help our students to grow. In the same way, when we see those who are down, discouraged or facing challenges big and small, we should be the ones who quietly get alongside and encourage them to press on, to offer support where we can, and ensure that each of us knows that we are valuable and made for a purpose.
In the Bible, Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians to encourage each one other and build each other up. Those words are not limited to Paul’s audience 2000 years ago. They are God’s encouragement to us, today! Let’s continue to be a school and a community that takes every opportunity to lift each other up, to look for opportunities to encourage each other, and to show kindness always. Just like the runners coming into the straight of the relay, watch how those around you lift and press on in life as you cheer them on. I’m certainly cheering you on in all the amazing work you are doing as parents and carers. Life isn’t always easy, but keep doing your best in the parenting journey. It is so worth it.
Have a great week PCS.
Glen