Sue's Imaginarium

  The world today offers children many voices to listen to, many images to imitate, and many standards to chase. From social media to school competition, from peer pressure to constant comparison, children are exposed to messages that quietly tell them they are only valuable if they perform well, look right, or fit in. If parents are not intentional, a child’s identity will be shaped by influence instead of truth. This is why Christian confidence is different from worldly confidence. Worldly confidence rises and falls with success, praise, appearance, and acceptance. Confidence rooted in Christ stands firm even when circumstances shake. It produces children who know who they are even when they don’t know everything that is happening in their lives. When a child’s confidence is built on Christ, it cannot be stolen by rejection, failure, or criticism. 1. Understanding What True Confidence Really Is True confidence is not arrogance, loudness, stubborn independence, or pretending t...

  History often remembers nations by their wars and leaders by their victories. But there are stories that never make it into stone — stories of hearts that change in silence, far away from crowds and medals. This is one of those stories. Once upon a time, in the great age of Roman domination, there lived a general named Cassian Aurex . His name travelled faster than his army. Cities surrendered at the sound of his approach. Enemies spoke his name in whispers. Senators applauded him loudly, and his soldiers followed him without question. Cassian never lost. By the time his hair began to show even the faintest silver, statues had already risen in his honour throughout Rome. Sculptors carved his face from marble. Poets praised his discipline. Children memorised his victories. Cassian walked the streets like a living monument. And slowly, his heart became stone. He began to believe he had been shaped by the gods themselves, carved with purpose and strength like the statues that b...

In the heart of Africa, nestled between tall mango trees and wide dusty paths, lay a joyful little village called Zambele . Zambele was one of those places where laughter travelled faster than news and everyone knew your business before you finished living it. And this Christmas, the village was ready. The women were pounding fufu in huge wooden mortars, their laughter rising with each rhythm. The men were tying colourful cloth from one pole to another, arguing loudly about which colour looked better. The children practised Christmas songs under the mango tree, occasionally forgetting lyrics but never forgetting energy. Everywhere you turned, Christmas was alive. But then… Disaster struck. The village goat, Baba Boo , was missing. Not just missing. Vanished. And Baba Boo was no ordinary goat. Baba Boo was Christmas royalty. Every year, he wore ribbons tied proudly around his horns and pulled the little wooden cart filled with gifts from the elders to the village children. Witho...

  Self-respect is one of the most important qualities a child can develop. It is the foundation of a strong, confident, and emotionally healthy individual. But what exactly is self-respect, why is it so important, and how can we help children cultivate it? Let’s explore these questions step by step. What Is Self-Respect? Self-respect is the value and regard a person holds for themselves. It is a deep understanding that you are worthy of love, kindness, and fairness, simply because you exist. For children, self-respect means recognizing their own feelings, needs, and boundaries as important. It is about treating themselves with the same care and consideration they would give to a friend or family member. Self-respect is different from arrogance or pride. It’s not about thinking you’re better than others—it’s about knowing your worth and standing up for yourself in a healthy way. Children with self-respect understand that their opinions matter, their bodies are their own, and thei...

  It was the week before Christmas, and the snow had begun to fall in gentle, sparkling flurries over the small town of Maplewood. Inside the Johnson household, the excitement was building — or at least it usually did. But this year, something felt… different. Tom and Linda Johnson, the parents, sat quietly in the living room, staring at bills and lists. Their youngest, little Mia, was trying to hang a homemade paper star on the Christmas tree, but she kept glancing nervously at her parents. Her older brother, Ethan, sat cross-legged on the floor, scrolling on his tablet, trying to look busy but clearly aware of the tension in the room. “Mom… Dad… will we still get presents this year?” Mia asked softly, tugging on her mother’s sleeve. Linda sighed, hugging her daughter close. “Honey… this year, things are a little different. We might not be able to get gifts like we usually do.” Mia’s smile faltered, and Ethan’s ears perked up. “No gifts at all?” he asked, his voice a mix of d...