Wow...can't believe it's been more than half a year since I last posted. Those who used to read would not even know I'm back for a stint. Heh.

Am stuck at home with two teeth outa my mouth and looking like a hamster or squirrel gathering nuts in its mouth for the winter. Superbly bored and raring to go out. Only thing stopping me is consideration for other people. They might get scared by my hamster cheek or go absolutely blind looking in my direction. Where's my ice-pack....

Lately, some disturbing news have come floating within my earshot. Perhaps I really am naive and ignorant of what goes on in the real world. I've always mostly known life's complications in the form of drama serials, never in REAL life as I know it. And I certainly do not expect that of life in educational institutes. Perhaps it is unfair to think that things would be different in organisations which mold the young minds. Perhaps it is merely wishful thinking. Perhaps I should really consider that the things the Bible has prophesied are slowly but surely, coming to pass. And that educational institutions, being part of this world, are not impervious to the world's evolving values and moral decline.

Yesterday's stand was 'No premarital sex'. Today's slogan is 'Have protected sex'. Why? Because 'if you can't beat them, join them'. Today's sexuality education consists of 'how to wear a condom correctly'. But I digress a little.....because this is not part of the 'disturbing news' I mentioned above. It is but the tip of the iceberg.

Those of my profession no longer view themselves as role models to the young. They value liberty. The liberty to do what they like, as long as it's after working hours. The mindset is no longer 'I better not do this because it's not the right thing to do and my kids might see me'. It has become 'I better make sure none of my kids see me do this'. The mentality is now 'I'm a grown-up and I have the right to make these decisions, even if it's not right I have the right to make the choice. It's not fair to limit me because of my profession.'

I am told that in the real world, an estimated 8 out of 10 people are engaging in premarital sex. And these are people of my profession. No wonder we can no longer tell the young that premarital sex should not be an option. And I ask myself honestly, if not for my religion, would I have such a strong stand with regards to this? And I can understand why those who are not believers would go for the here and now. What I don't understand is why believers do it too.

But I digress. It is not my intention to judge. I only want to share what really struck me when I pondered over these issues when they came up. As youngsters, we always rebelled against rules. They were things which restricted us and made us suffer because they were the very things we wanted to do, but were apparently not allowed to. Rules were the bane of our lives, obstacles to the freedom we craved. They were the villains, as were those who carried them out. But now, call it 'old age' if you might, I begin to see rules in a different light. Especially with regard to premarital sex and making light of sexual relations. Many will testify of the hurt that inevitably comes out of breaking the rules that God has set for us. The longstanding bitterness and anguish, which are often companions to the 'liberty' we often strive for. I see rules that God set for us as God's form of protection. We need these boundaries. If we will be honest with ourselves, we will agree that if we didn't have any boundaries we would be doing a lot of things we know, deep in our hearts, are not good for us at all.

It is tough sometimes, I admit, to abide by God's rules. To watch on the 'right' side of the fence, as others flout the rules and appear to be having a whale of a time. But when the crunch comes and it's payback time, I am glad to be on the 'right' side of the fence when I am. And I realise anew, how infinitely wise our Father is in setting His umbrella of protection over us, even if we didn't want it at first.

God never does things for no reason. It's only a matter of how long it takes before we find out just what that reason is.