The past few days before the lead up to this calligraphy workshop in the school, I prepared hours and rehearsed what to say and how to say, wrote out pages of pointers and key messages that I wanted to share as the Holy Spirit's compassion overwhelmed me - I felt the anxiety, the fear, the tension of these brilliant students and I prayed for days for each of them.

And on the workshop day, I barely shared points of what I prepared, the rest of the words that came out of my mouth, apart from the calligraphy content, was unprepared for;

I opened up about my struggles in my younger days and shared openly how my perfectionist nature and how my people-pleasing led to an unhealthy strive and competition that drove me to a valley in my academic journey.

That even though my family members didn't say that they expected me to do well in school, it was my own pride and desire to want to please them, that pushed me beyond what I could handle.

During my JC years, the Lord revealed to me that I was struggling because I was striving in my own strength, I had to learn to "let go and let Him" and rest in the knowledge that my identity was not in my academic achievements but that I was His.

He showed me that I could flourish and be that person that He called me to be, without having to "fit in".

I am again reminded that His way is always better, then and now.

That we can CHOOSE to give Him our five loaves and two fish and TRUST that He will multiply; our time, our talent, our efforts and all that we have.

"Thank you for your message today, I needed to hear that." - a polite quiet student stayed back and waited in line to say that to me.

This calligraphy workshop infused with messages of hope and strive was one that was not just for the students but even as I shared, the message was speaking to me so strongly too.

That if we have given our all, it WILL be pleasing sacrifice to Him.

I pray the same for all students, us teachers and parents.