mental-health

Finishing What You Start: A Discipline That Guards Your Future

Jabneh Christian Academy , , , , , , , ,

One of the most powerful habits a person can develop, whether a student or an adult, is the discipline of finishing what they start. Many people begin with excitement, strong intentions, and hopeful plans, yet only a few follow through to completion. The future, however, is not shaped by what we start. It is shaped by what we finish.

The Bible reminds us of this principle clearly:
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NIV)

God Himself is a finisher. He does not abandon what He begins, and He invites us to reflect that same character in our daily lives.

Why Finishing Matters

Every unfinished assignment, abandoned goal, or half completed responsibility quietly trains the mind to accept incompletion as normal. Over time, this weakens discipline and creates gaps between potential and performance. Finishing, on the other hand, builds integrity. It teaches patience, resilience, and responsibility, qualities that are essential for guarding the future.

For students, finishing what you start might look like completing an assignment even when it feels difficult, practising a skill consistently, or preparing properly for an exam instead of cutting corners. Those small decisions accumulate and determine long-term outcomes. A single unfinished task may seem insignificant, yet repeated patterns of incompletion can close doors to future opportunities.

For adults, the same principle applies. Relationships, commitments, studies, projects, and even personal growth journeys require follow through. Many regrets are not rooted in failure, but in abandonment. What was started had promise, yet it was never carried through to maturity.

Finishing Guards the Future

The future is closer than we often realise. It is not a distant place waiting years ahead. It is built in the choices we make today. When we finish what we start, we protect tomorrow from the consequences of today’s neglect. Discipline today prevents regret tomorrow.

Consider a student who cheats because preparation was delayed or abandoned. That momentary decision may cost examinations, reputation, and future opportunities. In contrast, a student who perseveres through discomfort and completes the work honestly safeguards their future with integrity intact.

Scripture warns us against careless beginnings without thoughtful endings:
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” (Luke 14:28, NIV)

Wisdom plans with completion in mind. Starting well is important, but finishing well is what truly matters.

A Personal Reflection: When Incompletion Costs Opportunity

I learned this principle personally in a very real way. Many years ago, I completed a literacy text that I was deeply proud of. Alongside it, I had begun writing a teacher and parent guide that would include lesson plans for every page. The purpose of the guide was clear. It would help users understand the author’s intent and apply the strategies effectively, so learners could achieve the best results.

The text was completed. The guide was started. Yet, I did not finish it.

Then COVID-19 arrived. Private schools were hit hard. Many parents struggled to understand the value of continuing to pay fees amid constant adjustments and uncertainty. In response, I had to find a strategy that would keep the school community together and functioning. That strategy involved using the very guide I had never completed.

Since the guide was unfinished, I ended up selling individual guide pages to parents based on what their children needed to cover each week. Instead of confidently marketing a complete, well-structured product, I was forced to write continuously just to meet immediate demand. What could have been a season of expansion and impact became a season of pressure and catch-up.

The opportunity was there. The need was real. The product had potential. Yet my failure to finish what I started limited how fully I could step into that moment. Incompletion did not stop progress entirely, but it reduced effectiveness, reach, and long-term gain.

That experience taught me a lasting lesson. Finishing is not just about closure. It is about readiness. When you do not finish, you may still move forward, but often with unnecessary strain, missed opportunities, and delayed growth.

This is why finishing what you start is so important. It guards the future by ensuring that when opportunity comes, you are prepared to meet it fully, confidently, and without regret.

Cultivating the Habit of Completion

Finishing what you start does not require perfection. It requires consistency. It means returning to the task even after enthusiasm fades. It means choosing effort over excuses and responsibility over convenience. This habit strengthens character and creates stability in both academic and personal life.

When we practise finishing, we align ourselves with God’s nature as a faithful finisher. We become people who can be trusted, relied upon, and entrusted with greater responsibility.

A Call to Action

Whether you are a student learning foundational habits or an adult shaping legacy decisions, let this principle guide you.

Start with intention.

Continue with discipline.

 Finish with integrity.

In doing so, you are not just completing tasks. You are guarding your future.

At Jabneh Christian Academy, we encourage our icons and our wider community to develop habits that protect tomorrow. Finishing what you start is one of those habits. Choose it daily, and watch how it shapes your path forward.

Putting the Pieces Back Together: Learning, Healing and Rebuilding After Melissa with Auntie Nats

Jabneh Christian Academy , , , , ,

Yesterday as two of our icons quietly completed puzzles, the moment became more than just an early childhood activity. It became a living symbol of our journey as a school community as we put the pieces back together in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

Melissa, a fierce category 5 hurricane, did not simply scatter debris. She scattered routines, learning spaces, teaching materials, emotional stability and the familiar rhythms of school life. For educational institutions like Jabneh Christian Academy that were ravaged by her angry winds and torrential rainfall, recovery has been a puzzle in every sense of the word.

Some pieces fit easily.

Some pieces are harder to place.

Some pieces are still missing.

Yet the picture is slowly taking shape again.

What Rebuilding Looks Like in Education After a Storm

1. Learning Continues in Unfamiliar Spaces

Classrooms may be gone, but the mission remains. Cafeterias become learning hubs, porches become reading corners and makeshift spaces become sanctuaries of resilience. Children adapt faster than adults, reminding us that a classroom is defined by purpose, not walls.

2. Emotional Restoration Takes Centre Stage

Icons are processing fear, confusion and loss. Teachers are not only delivering lessons but also providing stability, reassurance, counselling and calm. A simple puzzle becomes therapy. A conversation becomes healing. A smile becomes a victory.

3. Teaching Resources Must Be Recreated

Books were soaked, charts destroyed and learning tools blown away. What remains is creativity, resourcefulness and a determination to rebuild. Teachers lean on partnership, donations and innovation to restore what was lost.

4. Safety Becomes a Daily Priority

Every day begins and ends with risk assessment. Where can the icons sit? Which areas are secure? What repairs must be prioritised? Reopening school becomes an act of faith, planning and collective effort.

5. Community Support Becomes a Lifeline

Parents, volunteers, churches, neighbours and well-wishers form the framework that holds the school together. Rebuilding is a communal task because recovery cannot be done in isolation.

6. Hope Becomes an Educational Value

Our icons learn that storms come, but storms pass. Their little hands planting seeds, colouring storm stories, or completing puzzles are reminders that life can be rebuilt one piece at a time.

The Puzzle Metaphor: Why It Matters

A puzzle teaches patience.

A puzzle teaches focus.

A puzzle teaches that brokenness can become beauty again.

Every piece matters.

Every effort counts.

Every small win is a step forward.

Just as our icons’ puzzles came together piece by piece, so will our buildings, our programmes, our mental well-being and our sense of normalcy. We are not where we want to be yet, but we are putting the picture back together.

Moving Forward With Courage

Educational institutions across the hurricane belt know this truth well: rebuilding takes time, but rebuilding is possible. Melissa did not erase our excellence, our calling or our commitment. She only revealed the strength within us.

Piece by piece, we rise.

Piece by piece, we rebuild.

Piece by piece, we become stronger than before.

Let’s Make National Children’s Day 2024 Memorable for our Little Ones!

Jabneh Christian Academy , , , , , , , ,

Tip: Celebrate your children today by treating them.

As we strive to make this day extraordinary for our children, I’m excited to share some unique ways we can treat them, going beyond the usual gifts and activities.

Here are some treats that will take your children into the future that they will thank us for:

Apply for their TRN: Gather the necessary documents today, set a day next week when they are on mid-term break, take them to the tax office, and complete the process.

Apply for their passport: Download and fill out the application today; it’s available online.

Ensure full immunization: If your child is not fully immunized, take them to the nearest health centre. The amazing nurses are eager to assist you, such as those at the Grange Hill Health Centre. You may also choose to use a private paediatrician.

Open a savings account or investment: Consider the Sammy Saver’s Club offer by the Credit Union or other suitable options to start saving for their future.

Family connections: Take your children to meet family members. Utilise video calls for instances where distance is a challenge.

Seek the best educational opportunities: Make a decision to seek the best educational opportunities for the children for the new school term.

Plan summer experiences: Begin to plan their summer experiences to ensure they are enriching and enjoyable.

Teach future skills: Teach your children skills that will benefit them in the future, such as coding, financial literacy, or problem-solving.

Dental check-ups: Ensure they visit the dentist regularly to maintain good oral health.

Specialised medical care: For those who are ill, take them to the paediatrician rather than a general practitioner to ensure they receive specialised care.

Learning and personality assessments: Guide your children in taking the following tests, which will provide relevant insights:

A learning style test – https://www.lovetoknow.com/parenting/kids/learning-style-test-children

A personality test- -https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=your-kids-personality-type

Special needs assessment: If you suspect that your child has special needs, seek to get him/her assessed.

Educational resources: For worksheets that are age-appropriate, visit With Auntie Nats. www.withauntienats.com

Church involvement: Get your children involved in church to help them develop a sense of community and spiritual growth.

These treats will help prepare your children for the future, equipping them with essential documents, skills, and experiences they will appreciate as they grow.

From Auntie Nats with love.

Understanding the Impact of Attachment Relationships on Children’s Emotional Development: Building Secure Foundations for Lifelong Well-being

Jabneh Christian Academy , , , , , , , , ,

Rev. Dr Natasha R. Francis-Campbell, April 22, 2024

Attachment relationships are crucial in children’s emotional
development, providing a foundation for their sense of security, trust, and
emotional well-being. Attachment theory, developed by John Bowlby and
expanded upon by Mary Ainsworth, emphasizes the importance of early
relationships with caregivers in shaping children’s emotional and social
development. Here’s how attachment relationships impact children’s
emotional development:

Formation of Secure Base: Attachment relationships serve as a secure
base from which children can explore the world and develop
independence. When caregivers are responsive, consistent, and
emotionally available, children feel safe and secure, allowing them to
confidently explore their environment and interact with others.
Emotional Regulation: Secure attachment relationships provide a
buffer against stress and promote the development of emotional
regulation skills. When children feel securely attached to their
caregivers, they are better able to regulate their emotions, manage
stress, and cope with challenging situations. Caregivers serve as
emotional regulators, providing comfort, reassurance, and support
during times of distress.
Formation of Internal Working Models: Attachment relationships
shape children’s internal working models of themselves, others, and
relationships. Securely attached children develop positive internal
working models, believing themselves to be worthy of love and capable
of forming close relationships with others. These internal working models
influence children’s expectations about how relationships should function
and guide their interactions with others throughout life.
Social and Emotional Competence: Secure attachment relationships
provide a foundation for the development of social and emotional
competence. Children who feel securely attached to their caregivers
tend to have better social skills, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
They are more likely to form positive relationships with peers,
communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts constructively.

Resilience and Coping Skills: Secure attachment relationships
contribute to children’s resilience and ability to cope with adversity.
When children have a secure base of support from caregivers, they are
better equipped to navigate life’s challenges, setbacks, and transitions.
They develop confidence in their ability to seek help and support when
needed, fostering resilience and adaptive coping strategies.
Impact on Mental Health: Secure attachment relationships are
associated with positive mental health outcomes in children. Research
has shown that children who experience secure attachment tend to have
lower rates of anxiety, depression, and behavioural problems. They are
also more likely to develop a positive sense of self-esteem and self-
worth.
Continuity into Adulthood: The quality of attachment relationships
established in childhood continues to influence emotional development
into adulthood. Securely attached individuals tend to have healthier
relationships, higher levels of emotional well-being, and greater overall
life satisfaction. Conversely, insecure attachment patterns may persist
into adulthood and contribute to difficulties in forming and maintaining
close relationships.
Attachment relationships play a critical role in children’s emotional
development, providing a secure base for exploration, promoting
emotional regulation, shaping internal working models, fostering social
and emotional competence, building resilience, and influencing mental
health outcomes. By understanding the importance of attachment
relationships, caregivers, educators, and policymakers can support
children’s emotional well-being and promote positive developmental
outcomes from infancy through adulthood.