Punctuality

by Adam Kronberger / Superintendent

Over the Christmas Break, I am sure that many families sat down to play some spirited games. Two of my favorite games are Catch Phrase and Guesstures. Both require quick planning and quick thinking. In Catch Phrase you must consider the members on your team and strategically provide clues that they will quickly understand. With Guesstures, the player must do a risk analysis on which words to choose and their corresponding points awarded. They must also choose an order that will provide the most time for the hardest words. These games are all about strategic thinking and using your time wisely.

During the month of January, Crosshill will focus on showing respect for others by doing the right thing at the right time. Punctuality is a practical and wise use of time. God first revealed the absolute nature of time when instructing His people to rest on the seventh day after working for six, just as He did during creation (Exodus 20). The Psalmist tells us that our days our numbered, describing the finite nature of time (Psalm 90). The apostle Paul holds us responsible for time, instructing us to gain wisdom and make the best use of our time. Even a recent article written by a Forbes contributor used the following words to describe tardiness: disrespectful, inconsiderate, loss of credibility, thinking you are a “big deal”, unprofitable, disorganized, flaky, megalomaniacal (thinking you are the center of the universe).  

“Early is on time. On time is late. And late is unacceptable.” I have found this common phrase to be quite helpful in ordering our lives. Choosing to be punctual is not making time a tyrant. Rather it is allowing time to be our servant. Punctuality allows time to serve you, rather than becoming a slave to it. Creating order in our day is not for the purpose of becoming busier, but to develop contentment and wisdom. At Crosshill, students will learn to not keep others waiting. Teachers will emphasize to them to do some work ahead of time and not wait until the last minute. Planning and keeping a daily schedule while remembering deadlines honors the Scriptures God has entrusted to us. Just as God rested on the seventh day, we need to have times of rest in which time is abundant and less urgent.

Another one of my favorite games is Rummikub. Its collection of numbers and patterns is stimulating and the ability to play off each other’s tiles keeps things competitive. Each player has a finite amount of time for their turn and must be prepared as their turn can come around unexpectedly. It’s another great exercise in time management. Still some players often take longer than their allotted time their turn allows. This also can happen in everyday life. Fortunately, in November we focused on the character trait of patience...
 
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– Adam Kronberger / Superintendent