I consider myself going back in full force to 1st KL as things begin to roll out pretty smoothly. The company is functioning as usual and I look forward to more exciting events to take place every week. Being there physically reminds me of the challenges I used to take up when I was a member and it tells me how luxurious I'm living my life now:
No longer am I suppose to report to a parade Officer about the company attendance; no longer am I assigned to monitored all company activities; or attending meetings, etc. So many things that we once "suffered" through as a young leader in the company are now no longer applicable, realistically.
However, dressed in white, I see the company from another angle during parade, activities, and dismissal (literally!). Sometimes it makes me wonder if I am still the sergeant that boys like to hang around with those days when I was still "on the same boat" with them, or am I now one of the officers whom boys should salute every time they see me.
Today, I find that it is neither.
Being a new officer I learn that this generation (I try not to make myself sound too old) of Boys are preferring a brother-leader. They do not want a boss who tells them what they are doing is right or wrong; I think they need a friend who can show them what is the better ways around things. And being the youngest officer in line, I felt obligated to perform that role.
A Boy threw at me a dozen of questions regarding the basics of Christianity today at the praise and worship session. It was as if he has been keeping those questions for a long time and waiting for the right person to ask these questions. I am not afraid to deal with the situation, yet, I am concerned why hasn't he approached any other Officers whom may be more knowledgeable in this area? Are we doing a good job building the rapport and relationships between Boys and Officers? With the Grace of God, and Wisdom and His Guidance, I hope we are moving towards the right direction.
The Boys' Brigade is indeed a perfect ground for all to learn, regardless of our age. As Boys learn to grow up to be Men via the activities designated for them, Officers learn to be better leaders and servants in the ministry.
No one company is perfect with all its functioning, I believe. What we need to achieve is building the bridges for Boys to reach their role models and Christ, which is reflected clearly in the BB Object. I salute the current Officers for all the time and efforts sacrificed for the sake of the company. I have never seen anyone worked that faithfully for something that doesn't pay nor reward in any material way.
While we are in the business of preparing Boys for their Menhood, I think another focus will be going down to the Boys' level and trying to understand how things work with them. We were once Boys, just that as we grow, we tend to forget how things were for Boys.
And I still believe that Boys will always be Boys. No matter the so called generation change or any differences in that concern, being Boys is a unique phase at its own. As Officers, we can make that phase a significant, memorable, and most importantly, a Godly stage for these young men to grow - all that tend towards a true Christian manliness.
