This is the usual stressful exams period. Stressful both for children and parents. First the PSLE followed by the current “O” and “A” levels and all the other Primary and Secondary and tertiary exams. We all wish our children succeed in life and get well-paid prestigious jobs.
We tell them to study hard so that they will enter the right schools, the right courses, and finally land the right jobs. We assume this is what makes for a comfortable and happy life. Watch this video and see if it stimulates deeper thought.
It was in Jason’s blog Your Will where I first saw this video.
When I first watched this 2 years back, I loved it so much.
All these adorable Ah Mas remind me of the old women my maternal mama used to chill with when I was a kiddo. =)
Looking at this video, this strikes me-
At the end of the day, what matters is the value our kids grow up with, and not so much the tutors, extra lessons, exam stress, comparisons, and maids. Children need to be shown what the priorities of life should be- it’s not about the paper chase, not about the salary. They watch and observe their parents to decide what are the things that decide their self-worth/ value. They listen to what we say to measure their success. So what are the things that mater most? Are we sharing with them what they are, guiding them to see what the important things in life are?
I really felt sad after reading how a local parent described her kid’s feelings after the PSLE papers this year – CONDEMNED.
As parents, we must make sure we are not one of the factors leading to this condemnation, but that we are their source of encouragement and motivation, and that we point them to always turn their eyes upon Jesus and not just on the report card.
Of course it is good and wonderful if they do well, but what matters most is that they gave it their best shot. As they do the natural, God will do the supernatural!
Our kids have the grace and favour of our LORD Jesus Christ- that cannot be earned. Looking back at what a basket case I was, and where He has carried me to despite all of my past, I know I can have the shalom that my kids too will come out great.
Why? Because Jer 29:11 promises that His thoughts to us are of GOOD not evil, and that He will keep us in His Shalom and bring us to an expected end.
Our expected end is VICTORY because we are more than conquerors in Christ.
So instead of tearing our kids down before and after an exam, let us build them up no matter what we see in the natural, we keep building and speaking over them and loving them so that His perfect will for them will manifest as our kids see what they are heirs to.
So that they will prosper as their soul prospers… and that, I believe, is the shalom that the world cannot give! It is the revelation of the perfect love that will drive away every shred of fear and doubt and anxiety in their lives!
Amen?
Huh? the video was two years old or more?
Anyway what you shared in your comment makes so much sense. We have to build encourage and not tear down the children God has entrusted to us.