Reflection – 2018
By Vivienne Aitchison
Elected at the International Conference in Perth 2014, to be GB’s International President (2014 – 18). Vivienne Aitchison was previously VP for Europe for eight years and brings a wealth of experience to her new role in Girls’ Brigade.
Vivienne is based near to London in the UK, and works as an educational Consultant. Previously a Primary school head teacher, she is passionate about training and equipping those who work amongst children, and spends her working time mentoring trainee teachers and providing training for head teachers and school governors
I am sure we all know the parable of the sower. In this story the hard-working farmer wanted a harvest, so he planted his seeds. The seeds, all fell in different places – in the good soil, on the path, in rocky ground and amongst the weeds. Now it is true that not all the seeds brought forth fruit but that did not deter the farmer.
You and I, as workers in Girls’ Brigade, have a prime task ‘to help girls to become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.’ In order to do this we, like the farmer, have to faithfully plant the seeds. The soils we are working with are the hearts and minds of our girls and young women. These young people, our soil, will all be different. They may be confident and self-assured or reserved and low in self-esteem. They will be affected by many influences from a materialistic and often troubled world. They will be influenced, for good or ill, by peer pressure and family traditions. They will be surrounded by secular demands and media manipulation. But when they come to GB, we can ‘be different’ we can surround them with love, care, support, a different perspective of life, sound values and a secure environment.
Each one them will receive the message differently. Some will respond to the gospel seeds with enthusiasm; some will reject the message without a second thought; some may go away and reflect on what they have heard; others may challenge and question. Sowing gospel seeds on so many ‘soils’, may be frustrating but the farmer didn’t give up on any part of his field. Let’s pray for our ‘soil’ the girls and young women that God has given us to work with and let’s see what God will do within their lives!
