Curiosity

Throughout 2019 we slowly revealed our dreams and plans for Curiosity, Good Shepherd's very own Early learning Centre, to be opened in 2020.

Curiosity in our lives is a powerful force - the key to overcoming many a challenge. It can genuinely change lives for the better and even change communities and cultures. What a perfect name for our new centre!

And how will Curiosity in our youngest learners be inspired for the good God intended. Galations 5:22-23 provides the blueprint.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self- control.”

The team of educators that will come together in 2020 will find no better standards to which we can hold our curiosity, our hearts, our motives, and our actions.

Love: Loving curiosity seeks the good of others. It explores how best to love them, to show love, to express it, to care for them.

Joy: Curiosity is the discovery of God’s promises for His people.

Peace: How can we know the way to peace but through curiosity, through exploring solutions to problems, through seeking the best option? “If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone” Romans 12:18

Patience: What if there is hope? What if tomorrow is a new day with new mercies? What if God’s promises are really worth trusting in and holding to? These are the questions we must explore with our children. 'Big' questions that require tenacious, tough, firm, desperate curiosity, and the freedom of childlike faith!

Kindness: What does that person need right now? What would brighten their day? How can I help? Curiosity observes needs and emotions, and kindness seeks to meet those needs and lift spirits.

Faithfulness: To be faithful is to hold fast (patience) and to avoid or defeat temptation. Curiosity provides a reserve of promises so that when we feel like giving up, we can find the hope and grit to keep going.

Gentleness: Think of how Jesus welcomed the children —profound gentleness. He asked questions. He welcomed. He looked beyond the mistakes and into the heart. Children felt safe with Him. Our 'Curiosity' will be marked by this tone and be driven by these attributes of Jesus.

Self-Control: We are sinful beings, prone to a million failures. We lean toward pride, anger, fear, and greed. Our curiosity can fuel every sin as easily as it can be marked by and pursue truth. It is self-control that hits the brakes allowing curiosity back in.

Curiosity, our Early Learning Centre is a large undertaking, but a necessary and exciting venture for our community.

I thank God for keeping us alive to the wonders of each day. My commitment is that we will keep dreaming big for Jesus' sake. And even on the days that challenge and temp, that we will practice deep gratitude for the blessings we have received. All glory be to God.

David Wilksch