ISSUE 10, FRIDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2015
PRINCIPAL, JEFF DAVIS I am constantly reminded of the need to maintain a focus on excellence in all that we do. The culture that we have created in the developed world is very much centred on self, rather than service as the media continues to prosper the ideal that true happiness is found when we receive something. I have been reading some books lately that are focussing on debunking this theory and establishing a paradigm more consistent with scriptural teaching of service. One of the real life scenarios illustrates this concept well. A struggling mother running her own house cleaning business in the USA was looking for work. At the same time a very wealthy lady bought a mansion in this area
and was looking for a cleaner. The wealthy lady started going through the newspaper ads for house cleaners – not one was invited back. Eventually the struggling mother received a phone call to come and clean the wealthy lady's mansion so she went knowing that this was a one off job as she expected to be treated like all of the other cleaners. She went into the house and cleaned like she always did, dusting from the top down, putting any lose coins in a coffee cup on the kitchen table, fluffing the cushions and making sure that the bed linen had no creases. She left the house in perfect order pleased with her efforts. That night the wealthy lady called the struggling mother and offered her the role of house cleaner for the mansion. The struggling mother was overwhelmed and inquired why she was being offered this opportunity. The wealthy lady replied $1.61! Not sure how this had any reference, the struggling mum humbly confessed that she didn’t understand to which the wealthy lady replied; “I left $1.61 in coins strategically placed around the house. You found every coin and left it on the kitchen bench in a coffee cup. The other cleaners found some money, 80 cents, $1.41, $1.23 and some kept it, but
you were the first to find the entire $1.61 and for that reason I trust that you will be the best cleaner I could hope for.” It sounds so logical, but we often overlook the action part of this. To find the $1.61, the struggling mother had to clean every nook and cranny in the mansion, be truthful in handing it over and expect nothing in return. While doing this she had the expectation that she would never be asked back, but in fact her reward for being honest, hardworking and full of integrity was that she obtained permanent employment. Recently I have been focussing on character. This is an incredible quality that we often overlook as parents raising our children. We want our children to be academically successful, winning in sport and being the best performer that they can be. All of these are important and as the Principal of Hillcrest Christian College, I too aspire that all students achieve these outcomes. Yet as I learn more about how we develop, the single most important gift a parent can give their child is the development of a sound character. A character that knows one’s self, is respectful of the efforts of those around them, is honest, works hard and serves others wherever possible.
When these things are achieved, success seems to come effortlessly. Aristotle 2000 years ago said, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of wisdom”. While not a scriptural verse, it highlights the importance of understanding who we are and what makes us wise. This is insightful and helps us begin the search for character. "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out." PROVERBS 10:9
We often try and plan the path we travel. This is a great asset, but when we walk the path of integrity we can walk securely and again our character will be evident. When we do this, the unexpected happens, such as when the struggling mother received the job offer. As parents, having a child who has an impeccable character and walks with integrity is something we should desire for every one of our children. Add to this, acts of service, and we would change the future of the world. My prayer is that we as a community see the richness of life that this character would bring our children and then work tirelessly to create the environment where this can be developed.
21 Bridgman Drive, Reedy Creek Q 4227 | PO Box 2503, Burleigh Waters Q 4220 | 07 5593 4226 | hillcrest.qld.edu.au | office@hillcrest.qld.edu.au ACN 010381334 ABN 68 947 459 366 CRICOS 01043C Hillcrest Christian College is an interdenominational ministry of Reedy Creek Baptist Church and is operated by Hillcrest Christian College Ltd.