Hope For The Future

I had the privilege this weekend of spending time with several thousand family members. They are an awesome group of people. Friendly, helpful, outgoing, caring, full of great advice, humble and loving. I love when we get together each year and find our time together way too short. We stay up late, get up early and talk non stop. Every year we add new friends and celebrate with old friends. It is a blessed gathering that never fails to lift my spirits, infuse me with energy, remind me of my limitations and need for the Lord, and most of all instill hope in the future. Our reunion is the annual FPEA homeschooling convention in Orlando, FL

I found my greatest source of hope this year in a couple of unlikely places. All day on a beautiful sunny Thursday at a resort hotel with a cool water play area that had four slides and dump buckets, with movies and other fun activities available, there were students who chose to attend a seminar on being an entrepreneur. Kids ages 12-18 spent eight hours devouring the words of a successful businessman of 30 who had been homeschooled and offered up insights and inspiration to these eager learners. These kids learned how to start their own business, how to market, how to use ebay and paypal. They were given invaluable lessons to help them in their future, and it was obvious to all there that they were eager to put their new knowledge into practice.

The second place of hope was in a small partitioned off area at the front of the food court were about 15 tables. Each had a display of wares available. The variety of items for sale was remarkable. No two tables had the same products. Everything was well made and affordable. What gave me the greatest hope, though, was the people behind the tables. The owners of each of these businesses were kids. Students set up their wares, marketed, interacted with customers and made sales.

These students gave me hope for the future of our country and they should give you that same hope. They are not ones who are going to be sitting around in parks complaining that no one has given them a job for which they are qualified. They are the ones who are going to be rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty in order to start their own business. In spite of the difficulties that government regulations create for them, they are going to give it their all. Every one of these kids that I talked with had more than one idea for a company. I know that one failure isn't going to make them quit. These students are our future. They are ambitious, excited, and ready to work hard to make their dreams come true. And I, for one, am excited to see them take on the task. We need these kids and their example. Thank you young entrepreneurs and FPEA for the hope that you have shown me for the future of America.