I looked up the word “renaissance” and just past the historical references from the 14th to 17th C. were these two definitions:

any similar revival in the world of art and learning

AND 

a renewal of life, vigor, interest, rebirth, revival.

What interests and invigorates you?  What gives you the courage to pursue it?

I believe there is a .  It will be a deep honouring of all that is uniquely human.  It will be dignifying and deeply creative.  It will be filled with inspiration, interests, and invigorating life.

So here’s an interesting connection…

As you know, last Sunday was Easter, the pinnacle celebration of my personal faith.  During that celebration, I experienced something unexpected.  The morning was cold and the rain steady.  The clouds were heavy and dreary.  The morning did NOT spell “celebration.”

We were committed.  We were hard core.  The rain didn’t frighten us.  As a family, we bundled up and went up the mountain, for our church’s outdoor, sunrise service.  It is our practice.

The big, startling point of the story…so did 100s of others!  We thought it would be a small, intimate group.  Not at all!  It was standing room only.

Why?

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People are spiritual beings.  Being spiritual is uniquely human.  We want to be in inspired, interested, and invigorated places.  We want to explore spiritual truth; even better when it is good news.

I think that 100s of people went on this soppy pilgrimage because it is what matters most.  Elderly women with umbrellas stood in reverence.  Children wore gumboots with cheer.  Fathers gathered their families.  We can ‘sing in the rain!’

Don’t get lost in the horrors of the day, the disillusioning politics, or the drudgery of work.

Teachers, parents, caregivers, this matters.  It matters because it is a key to the human renaissance happening in our culture.  Our spirits are alight.  Our souls astir.

So, stir up belief.  For the sake of the children.  Now I’m preaching to myself.

In my book, Learn Forward: An Invitation to the Most Important Journeys of a Child, I define faith as:

Comfort.

A wholehearted trust in the restoration of all things.

A whispered invitation of hopefulness.

A beckoning to the dance of life.

Of course, each person is on a personal journey with the Creator.  But, we can’t be so afraid of political correctness, that we aren’t tapping into the Source, to being hopeful, inspired, and alive.

Our children need this.  Hundreds of people singing in the rain know the secret.

If you are a teacher in a public school, you may think, “I could never do this.  I could never infuse my classroom with faith practices.”

I want to encourage you.  Think creatively.  Look at the words:  comfort, hopefulness, all things, dance of life.

Maybe there is a unique experience with nature, a gratitude practice, a service project, a magic circle of affirmation you could include.  I believe in your creativity.

I sat with a beautiful educator over Spring Break who told me about her chicken soup celebration luncheon.  There was no candy or cupcakes.  Literally, it was home-made chicken soup.  The parents were invited.  It was a table.  Her students experienced a banquet!

This master teacher understands a simple idea:  In my classroom, I can design epxeriences that are deeply spiritual and dignify every human being.

Your students need it!

Journal Questions:

• What are your faith practices?
• How will you help your child(ren) cultivate faith?
• Why is that important?

My friends, I want to consider the five most important journeys of a child this spring. Why do they matter?  Is there anything practical for us?  I will be including the stories of other teachers and parents in my school and beyond.  If you have a story that is applicable, please forward it for our consideration to hello@learnforward.ca.

For the sake of the children,

Karine

PS If you want to carve out an intentional time to dream about what matters most for your family, join us at the Nest-Building Retreat in May.  Registration is now open with an amazing introductory rate of just $200/couple for a live experience.  I hope you’ll come!

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