By Ben Sytsma

Assistant Principal, 5th Grade Faculty 

Calvary Schools of Holland

Each summer, I attempt to read through at least a few classic books, most of which are books that students at Calvary read at some point in their education. Many of these wonderful books, I did not have the opportunity to read while in school, so I am taking the chance now!

This past summer, I read Confessions, by Augustine of Hippo, an early philosopher and theologian of the Christian faith. One main idea he discusses is that as humans, we are loving beings. We all love something. Augustine challenges himself and his readers to consider what they love and to whom they direct their love, for what we love is what we become most like.

I am not sure there is a better time for us to consider this idea. With everything that is going on in the world, it is more important than ever for us to direct our affections towards things that are truly good for us and lead to a flourishing life.

But how can we direct our loves and desires? Is it even possible to change what we love?

Actually, it is. If we are not careful, we actually begin to love things that we had no conscious intention of loving! Science continues to show us that what we love and what we desire are learned, through repeated actions or practice.

So how does this play out in our daily lives? Our actions, or how we choose to spend our day, greatly impacts the person we become. The things we choose to make most important in our lives become the things that we love the most, and ultimately, change who we become.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 
- 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

What we behold is what we become. In the face of the present uncertainty that surrounds both adult and child alike, it is important that we set up routines in our families that encourage us and guide us to become who we want to be when this trial is over.

At Calvary Schools of Holland, we have implemented many practices into our days that help direct our affections towards things that are good and helpful, things that lead us to a flourishing life in Christ. These routines both remind us who we are, and challenge us to become something more.

Each morning, every student learns and continues to grow in how to greet their classmates and their teacher. Students learn how to respond to questions and how to ask similar questions in response. They also learn to give eye contact when speaking to another person.

While this may seem simple, it is actually very important! It is helping each child to see other people as fully people, to be respected and to be given due attention.

Soon after this, we all meet for assembly. At the beginning, a teacher or student prays for our day. Then we all sing a hymn of praise together. We end with a learned prayer that we recite together:

Unto you, oh Lord, this day, I submit my heart, my head, and my hands.

This routine helps us remember that we are all part of something outside of ourselves. It reminds us of our focus for each day to submit our work, our thoughts, and our affections to God.

At the end of each day, in my classroom, we spend time reflecting on where we experienced joy each day. A mentor once told me, “Whatever you assess is what children will see as important.” For this reason, I assess joy each day.

I ask, “Where did you receive joy today? Where did you give joy today? Where did we share joy today?” These simple reflections, when repeated daily, help each child to learn to love giving and sharing in joy each day.

Charlotte Mason states that “an observant child should be put in the way of things worth observing.” Throughout our day, we are very careful in choosing what we put in front of children. Does the book have ideas that are worthy to think about? Are the characters in the story portraying virtue? Are the stories helping us to better understand God and the world? Is the art beautifully drawn? Is the diagram accurate and helpful? The things that children dwell upon have a great impact on who they become.

This practice is good for us to consider as believers, especially given our national circumstances. How do we help our children deal with the uncertainty that faces each day or the challenges that may come? What do we do when all around us it seems things are falling apart or not going as we expected or hoped?

One solution might be to create basic routines for children to remind them of who they are and who they want to become. Maybe it is something as simple as spending time each night sharing what you are thankful for that day, in order to grow into more thankful people. Maybe it is choosing to read a chapter of a book together before bed each night that inspires everyone towards a virtuous life, or maybe you just share a story that you enjoy! Maybe it is praying a blessing over each of your children at night before they go to bed. I can’t think of a time where children need blessing more.

Now, more than ever, it is good to consider where we are directing our time, affections, and desires. Meaningful routines give us structure, something to rely on, and something that helps us become more like Christ.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 
- Philippians 4:8

Ben Sytsma teaches 5th grade at Calvary Schools of Holland and also acts as Assistant Principal of the elementary campus. Mr. Sytsma completed his Bachelors in Education, and is currently pursuing his Masters in Education, at Dordt University. He is a graduate of the Ambleside Master Teacher Training Program and has been on staff at Calvary Schools of Holland since 2014.