Love Never Fails 

I have a little hobby. I love to take a piece of unwanted furniture and breathe new life into it. It gives me joy to restore its purpose, mend the broken bits and refresh its appearance. One thing that struck my family, as we set foot on this campus for the first time, was that intangible but very present ‘something different’ in this place. It wasn’t just the beautiful setting or a perfect presentation but rather it was a sense of hope that filled the words of those staff and students who embellished our tour with conversation, experiences and their story.  It was the atmosphere of restoration as the buildings and land worked together to harmoniously create space for learning and it was a community of people that set their values on something greater. 

As a Christian school we are in a community that can restore in each other faith, hope and love. The following passage found in the Bible talks about love in some very practical terms. We often hear this bit of scripture at a wedding celebration, but I would like to propose that this passage can be, if we choose, our playbook for living alongside one another, in our school community. As you read the following, imagine this mindset as the starting place for every aspect of your interaction with others.

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 

 It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres…

 Love never fails.’  

                                                                                                            1 Corinthians 13: 1- 8 (NIV)

Loving one another with patience and humility can have a profound effect on a community. When the heart of one wants nothing more than to see the success of another, the whole community celebrates the win. When the words spoken are those of kindness, peace and grace; even a carpark can be transformed. When a community gathers around another with forgiveness and perseveres together through challenging circumstances, it becomes restored, strengthened and filled with life. 

Love never fails. 

Love wins!