Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control...
Other than Kindness, Self-Control may be the most unintentionally talked about fruit of the Spirit at every school across the world. Schools are brimming with children full of energy, bouncing off the walls and one another, causing accidental and purposeful injuries to peers along the way. While it may seem to be primarily an issue of adolescence, it is one that persists into adulthood, but presents itself differently.
While a majority of adults do not struggle with the internal battle of whether to randomly slap the back of their coworkers neck, the moderation aspect of self-control is still ever present for adults. Not eating too much, drinking too much, working too much, exercising too much, watching TV too much. To me self-control seems to be a strange addition to the list of fruits that Paul mentions, but if you think about the consequences of the aforementioned common self-control issues, it is easy to see why self-control made the cut. Eating is great, but too much is unhealthy; drinking can be a fun relaxing night with friends until one too many; work is a fulfilling part of life until it consumes you. There are so many things that our brains want to physiologically use to numb pain and psychologically use to escape thinking. Self-control is important, that is why it is essential to start young.
If you have followed Love City for a while then you have probably heard of one of the core focuses at MOA: Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). SEL is basically an accelerated course on self control for our students. It starts with our very youngest students, teaching them how to be aware of what is happening to their bodies, in their minds, and what they are feeling inside. It teaches them how to name those feelings so they can better communicate to their peers and teachers in a moment of struggle about what is happening. For example teaching them that when their brow is furrowed and their fists are clinched, and their whole body is rigid, they are probably feeling angry about something. Once you teach kids how to identify what is going on in their world, then you can start teaching them strategies of self control. How to prevent their emotions and surroundings from taking over and reminding them that they are the ones in control of what happens next. The first six weeks of school heavily focus on SEL and then it is continuously woven into class times and one on ones. SEL helps decrease the behavioral issues that are seen. It is teaching self-control.
Self-control does not mean to say no to dessert or a couple of beers or whatever guilty pleasure we have. Self-control means that we control our intake of those things, they don’t control us. We don’t spend half the day thinking about the next bowl of ice cream, the next episode of that show, or the next drink. It helps us to stay present, in the moment, connected to the people around us. Self-control may not be the first fruit of the Spirit that comes to most folks' heads, but is certainly a foundational piece of our Spiritual lives.
Ethan Essex
Mighty Oak Supplies Lists!!!
As we start looking forward to the Spring Semester we are looking again at our supplies for the rest of the year. If you would like to support through purchasing supplies, it’s not too late. You can find those lists here:
Supply Wishlist: https://a.co/4IDGPaN
Snack List: https://a.co/g4DnQYr
Merriment Online!!
If you are missing browsing our shelves, don’t fret, there are plenty of ways to browse online. To view our ebay store click here. If you want to view our larger items visit our Facebook Marketplace here. We are still accepting donations, if you would like to donate call (502) 930-9006. Check out one of this week’s featured items below, we have a whole selection of woodworking items for the woodworker in your life.
Fish Fry Open!!!
We’re back!!! Can’t wait to see you today, get your fish and churched up tots now!
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.