Chaplain's Chat

Lifting Aspiration Through Gratitude

‘ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.’  James 1:17

This encouragement from the Bible looks at life from a ‘bird's eye’ perspective and seeks for us to discover joy. At the start of this year, I encouraged us to look to the Kookaburra as Jesus taught us to look at the birds when we worry, to remember that we are valued by God. We can’t think of the kookaburra without hearing its cackle, which is a great reminder of the joy of life.

Viewing life from above like this helps us to see our world as a gift. What is the appropriate response to a gift? Gratitude and thankfulness.

As parents and teachers, we want this attitude of gratitude for our young people. We will often say to them after receiving a gift, ‘What do you say?’ Young people aren’t refusing to acknowledge the gift. It is that they see a toy or an object rather than a gift. They are still learning to register that what they received comes as an expression of another’s care for them. We see our role as helping them see their world not as an object or an entitlement, but as gifted.

We want our students to aspire to meaningful things in learning and life. Gratitude is a way to slow down, look back and notice how we have reached our current waypoint, noticing who has helped us get this far. This is an inspiring practice that moves us with joy into our next steps. Term 4 goes quickly, so I will be encouraging our students to notice the good gifts they have received and to respond with gratitude and thankfulness. How could your family bring a regular practice of gratitude into your daily rhythm?

A gift from Freya Nield in 1B.

In gratitude for our work together as a community,

Kind regards,

Rev. Tim Bowles

Chaplain