Concerns for the Next Generation

That’s a heavy question, and my answer has certainly changed over the years. Right now, what I worry about most for the future is the world my grandson will inherit.

When I look at him, and see my daughter as a mother, I can’t help but be concerned about the challenges his generation will face. I worry about the division and anger that seem so prevalent in our society and what that will mean for his ability to grow up in a world that values compassion and understanding.

As a teacher, this worry extends to my students. I see their struggles and their potential every day. I’m concerned about the pressures they are under and whether they will have the same opportunities that I did. As a journalism teacher specifically, I worry about their ability to navigate a world saturated with information and find the truth.

Ultimately, I think all these worries are rooted in a deeper concern about people losing their connection to one another and to their faith. My own Christian faith is the most important thing in my life, and it’s the lens through which I see the world. It’s what gives me hope. So while I have these worries about the future, I try to channel that concern into my daily actions—striving to be a source of stability and love for my wife, my family, and my students, and trusting in God’s grace for the rest.

About Douglas Blaine

Capnpen is a writer who was a newspaper and magazine journalist in a previous life. A college journalism major, he now works as an English teacher, but gets his writing fix by blogging about a variety of topics, including politics, religion, movies and television. When he's not working or blogging, Capnpen spends time with his family, plays a little golf (badly) and loves to learn about virtually anything.

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