Sec 4 Farewell ... and my farewell too
Sec 4 Farewell ... and my farewell too
Time flies! It's already middle of the year where the Sec 4s would have to be released from the CCA to concentrate on preparation for their end-of-year "O" levels examination. It was Sec 4 Farewell yesterday, and as I "suspected", part of the night was also attributed to a time of farewell for me.
To begin with, I was given the final task of speaking to the girls on this occasion, ie. a message especially to the Sec 4s. DISC was what I challenged the girls to be - not in the DISC personality test as we understood, but Durability, Influential, Servitude and Character. A quick summary of what I covered: using the Pencil Parable, I hope the girls will understand that after they leave the sheltering walls of the school and this CCA, they will encounter or be in confrontation with tougher and more painful experiences as they grow in life - may they be resilient, patient and tolerant towards God's moulding and shaping. May they be the pencils that continued to be held in God's hand and leave clear, legible marks in the lives of everyone they meet - Durability.
Influential - how salty will they be and how useful will they be as salt? Nobody settles for being ordinary, so my challenge to them is how they will allow God to use them as salt to add flavor in the lives of others. Servitude - many of them had opportunities to lead, but they also need to learn to be accountable to, someone otherwise pride and complaceny in life will creep in and cause them to fall - how willing are they to submit to another person? Taking the example of Jesus who wrapped a towel around Him, took a basin and washed the disciples' feet, I hope the girls will be challenged to always be a SERVANT LEADER. Character - is it about being strong in character or about showing strength in the midst of weakness? Whose hands are they held in? Whose confidence are they depending upon? A woman of strength will know whose she is and who is holding her - she knows her source of power and strength.
We also took time to allow every Sec 4/5 to share with us what they have learnt during their years in the CCA - something we've never done before (in previous years, only the Heads of Committee and Excos get to speak and they are mostly thank-you speeches). I told the girls no "thank-you" speeches but share what they've learnt so as to encourage their juniors. It's just encouraging and heart-warming to hear some of the things the girls shared - and witnessing how some of them really were so shy when they first started with us, till now - how they have matured and blossomed. We've seen girls rising to the occasion, learning to depend on God for confidence and strength, being bold to speak/command/lead their juniors, learning from all the scoldings/rebuke/reprimanding sessions, learning discipline/time management/ organization/planning skills, etc, etc. What could be more rewarding than knowing your girls have grown over the years?
Like I said, part of the night became my Farewell also, and I've mentioned before I cannot take this kind of occasion without shedding tears - there's no effort needed to make me cry, tears will automatically begin to form in my eyes when someone say something that touches and encourages my heart. Oh my! The third time in a span of 1 week - so embarassing =P ... Anyway, I'm really thankful to the girls for being a part of my life, and for allowing me to make an impact or leave a footprint or a small little mark in their process of growing up. Thanks for their many gifts as well - teddy bear, sweets, flowers, notes, etc ... Suddenly I felt like a "star" when at one point the girls gave me a standing ovation when LK mentioned about me being one of the most dedicated chaplain the company has - I really felt so "paiseh" and really unworthy to receive this honor ... and of course the many pictures that we afterward get to snap, snap and snap - some of the girls just came and said they wanted to take a picture with me and so on ... and oh my, the most "embarassing" moment was when everything was over and as we make our way to leave the school - as I drove out some girls outside the gate and at the traffic light were like screaming, "Oh, Ms ...." and whatever else that I can't figure out, but it was rather "embarassing" - sounded like they were chasing some celebrites and stars *wink* - and I just wave to them and quickly drove off before the entire crowd at the traffic light stare at me till I'm embarassed *wink*
Well, there's no banquet that will not come to an end (or whatever should be the right way to phase this Chinese proverb) and we all need to move on to different phases and seasons of our lives, but the most comforting thing is that the Lord is always with us, watching over us "From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth - He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do." - Psalm 33:13-15
My only prayer is that as we get to meet again, our walk with God will even be closer than before, and our character will be more like the Lord Jesus. And for those who have not known Jesus as personal Lord and Savior - may you make that decision to taste the goodness of the Lord yourself and be that saved soul that heaven will rejoice over.
Time flies! It's already middle of the year where the Sec 4s would have to be released from the CCA to concentrate on preparation for their end-of-year "O" levels examination. It was Sec 4 Farewell yesterday, and as I "suspected", part of the night was also attributed to a time of farewell for me.
To begin with, I was given the final task of speaking to the girls on this occasion, ie. a message especially to the Sec 4s. DISC was what I challenged the girls to be - not in the DISC personality test as we understood, but Durability, Influential, Servitude and Character. A quick summary of what I covered: using the Pencil Parable, I hope the girls will understand that after they leave the sheltering walls of the school and this CCA, they will encounter or be in confrontation with tougher and more painful experiences as they grow in life - may they be resilient, patient and tolerant towards God's moulding and shaping. May they be the pencils that continued to be held in God's hand and leave clear, legible marks in the lives of everyone they meet - Durability.
Influential - how salty will they be and how useful will they be as salt? Nobody settles for being ordinary, so my challenge to them is how they will allow God to use them as salt to add flavor in the lives of others. Servitude - many of them had opportunities to lead, but they also need to learn to be accountable to, someone otherwise pride and complaceny in life will creep in and cause them to fall - how willing are they to submit to another person? Taking the example of Jesus who wrapped a towel around Him, took a basin and washed the disciples' feet, I hope the girls will be challenged to always be a SERVANT LEADER. Character - is it about being strong in character or about showing strength in the midst of weakness? Whose hands are they held in? Whose confidence are they depending upon? A woman of strength will know whose she is and who is holding her - she knows her source of power and strength.
We also took time to allow every Sec 4/5 to share with us what they have learnt during their years in the CCA - something we've never done before (in previous years, only the Heads of Committee and Excos get to speak and they are mostly thank-you speeches). I told the girls no "thank-you" speeches but share what they've learnt so as to encourage their juniors. It's just encouraging and heart-warming to hear some of the things the girls shared - and witnessing how some of them really were so shy when they first started with us, till now - how they have matured and blossomed. We've seen girls rising to the occasion, learning to depend on God for confidence and strength, being bold to speak/command/lead their juniors, learning from all the scoldings/rebuke/reprimanding sessions, learning discipline/time management/ organization/planning skills, etc, etc. What could be more rewarding than knowing your girls have grown over the years?
Like I said, part of the night became my Farewell also, and I've mentioned before I cannot take this kind of occasion without shedding tears - there's no effort needed to make me cry, tears will automatically begin to form in my eyes when someone say something that touches and encourages my heart. Oh my! The third time in a span of 1 week - so embarassing =P ... Anyway, I'm really thankful to the girls for being a part of my life, and for allowing me to make an impact or leave a footprint or a small little mark in their process of growing up. Thanks for their many gifts as well - teddy bear, sweets, flowers, notes, etc ... Suddenly I felt like a "star" when at one point the girls gave me a standing ovation when LK mentioned about me being one of the most dedicated chaplain the company has - I really felt so "paiseh" and really unworthy to receive this honor ... and of course the many pictures that we afterward get to snap, snap and snap - some of the girls just came and said they wanted to take a picture with me and so on ... and oh my, the most "embarassing" moment was when everything was over and as we make our way to leave the school - as I drove out some girls outside the gate and at the traffic light were like screaming, "Oh, Ms ...." and whatever else that I can't figure out, but it was rather "embarassing" - sounded like they were chasing some celebrites and stars *wink* - and I just wave to them and quickly drove off before the entire crowd at the traffic light stare at me till I'm embarassed *wink*
Well, there's no banquet that will not come to an end (or whatever should be the right way to phase this Chinese proverb) and we all need to move on to different phases and seasons of our lives, but the most comforting thing is that the Lord is always with us, watching over us "From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth - He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do." - Psalm 33:13-15
My only prayer is that as we get to meet again, our walk with God will even be closer than before, and our character will be more like the Lord Jesus. And for those who have not known Jesus as personal Lord and Savior - may you make that decision to taste the goodness of the Lord yourself and be that saved soul that heaven will rejoice over.
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