FCS Blog

A New Season

Unless I'
m just overly ready for cooler weather and am just dreaming, the
past couple of mornings have felt pretty good outside. There’s something so
peaceful about opening your front door to leave for work, and the humidity
NOT hit you in the face...it’s quite amazing actually. Come to think of it, I am
definitely one of those people who says they can’t wait for summer when it’s
really cold out, and then begs for the winter time on the 4th of July.
Having these slightly cooler mornings gives me great joy-it is the start of
something new. A new season, a new time of year, and let’s be honest...it’s
proof that football is here! (Go Vols..sorry, I couldn’t help myself)
While we may not be pulling out those sweaters just yet, glimpses of fall are
certainly here. Take the leaves for example-they are certainly turning
colors and falling from the trees. When I see that change take place, it
reminds me of being a new creation in Christ. Just as green leaves
transform into bright reds, golds and oranges, Christ invites us to let go of
old habits and be shaped into something new. Trees do not rush to change
their colors; they trust the process at God’s pace, reminding us to be patient
with our own spiritual growth. I don’t know about you, but patience is
sometimes not in my vocabulary. Even so, I am reminded that growth is

usually the best in the waiting.

My prayer in this season is that we all can take the time to allow God to
transform us, and that we accept His invitation to let go of those old habits
so that He can shape us into something new. I pray that we can take the
time to trust God’s process, and be patient because His timing is not ours,
and that’s because He knows best. After all, we know that with Him, the best

is yet to come.

Building a Work Ethic That Lasts a Lifetime

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is a strong work ethic.
A good work ethic is not something that suddenly develops when a
child becomes an adult. It is a character trait that must be intentionally

developed over time, beginning at home.
Start young and start small. Give children age-appropriate
responsibilities such as making their bed, putting away their toys,
helping with laundry, setting the table, or unloading the dishwasher.
These tasks may seem small, but they teach children that they have
responsibilities and that their contribution matters.
As children grow, their responsibilities should grow with them. It is
important not only to give children responsibilities but also to hold
them accountable for completing those responsibilities. While it may
sometimes be easier for a parent to do the task, allowing children to do

it themselves teaches independence, perseverance, and follow-
through.

What children learn at home often spills over into the classroom.
Students who are accustomed to being responsible for chores and
completing tasks at home are more likely to take ownership of their
schoolwork. They learn to apply themselves, work through challenges,
and understand that doing something well is more important than

simply getting it done.

A strong work ethic also helps students care about the quality of the
work they turn in. They begin to understand the importance of giving
their best effort rather than doing the minimum required.
As a Christian school, we want our students to understand that hard
work is more than a life skill—it is a biblical principle. Colossians 3:23
reminds us,

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and

not unto men.
”

The habits we establish in our children today will shape the adults they
become tomorrow. Start small, give them responsibility, hold them
accountable, and teach them to do their best. These lessons will serve

them well for a lifetime.