Teach and Reteach

It was nearing the end of a second full day of school for the twenty-one kindergarten students when the teacher asked the kids to put their heads down on their table and to get quiet before recess.  That's when we heard it loud and clear.  The sound of a forehead bumping the table and a quick loud "OW!"  We both turned to see a few students laying their head down on their crossed over arms but lots of quizzical faces without their heads down and one poor little five year old rubbing her forehead.  Without missing a beat the teacher said, "Oh, putting your head down on your table means doing this!" Then she quickly modeled how to do it.  I was able to stifle my giggle but not my smile throughout this entire episode.

This year I have a new job.  I am not a regular classroom teacher but am a paraeducator who goes from class to class to help students.  This past week was my first real amount of time working in the primary grades for many years.  It all came back to me very quickly, though!  For all you non-teachers or school workers out there, I'll let you in on a little secret.  There has been and will be LOTS of time spent over the next month teaching students expectations, procedures, rules and consequences.  And I mean A LOT!  You would be amazed at the number of things that seem so simple and that you take for granted that have to be taught over and over again.  Things like: how to hold a pair of scissors, getting in a line without smashing your friends' toes, drinking out of the water fountain, how to sharpen a pencil, when you can talk and when you can't, and my favorite: the difference between a story and question!  Now, here's another bit of amazing information!  Each year the students come back you have to start all over again!  Usually you have to reteach and then there's all the new stuff to add.  Oh, and then there's all the real stuff you are supposed to teach them!  

So while all you non-educators out there are letting that sink in and all you educators are nodding your heads in agreement while chuckling, let me get on to the thought I had today about all this teaching and reteaching.  I wonder if God ever looks at us and thinks "Really?!  I have to teach you that lesson again?  Aren't we past that?  Do we have to go down that road again?"  Let's face it.  All of us have those issues that we need to work on, are working on and will probably still be learning about in the future.  One great thing is God is a patient teacher.  But just like in school you have to be willing to be an active learner.  The Bible is filled with stories of people that had struggles just like you and me.  When we read or hear those stories and think about them we are given examples of how we can handle situations better, overcome addictions, work through problems in relationships, and tackle many other problems that we all face in life.  But being an active learner means that you have to pick up the book and actually read it!  And don't tell me that you don't have time in your life.  I have used that excuse too many times in my life and have discovered that it is a lie.  Stop enrolling your kids in every activity, shut off the television reality show, forget Facebook, make sandwiches for dinner, stop Pinning every quotation that speaks to your heart and spend some time learning from the Savior.  It will make a huge difference in your life. If you are thirsting for help in the struggles of  life think about these words.
     "Listen, you heavens, and I will speak; hear you earth; the words of my mouth. Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants."     Deuteronomy 32:1-2

The other thing that is so great about our God is that he is willing to give us those second and beyond chances.  When we are learning, he is like the kindergarten teacher, who calmly modeled for the kids and allowed them to try again.  In dealing with the issues of life all of us fall short.  In our humanity we sin.  But our God is the God of Second Chances.  If we turn away from that sin he forgives us.  But we have to be willing to turn away.
     "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."   
1 John 1:8-9
         
The reason God is able to do this is because his love for us is special.  It is known as agape love.  This kind of love is unconditional or sacrificial in nature. The Psalms are filled with references to this type of love God has for us.  For example, read this description.
     The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love.  He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above earth, so great is his love for those who fear him, as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."  Psalm 103:7-12     

God's love for us has no bounds!  Whatever mistakes we make and no matter how great they may seem to us, he will always be there.  He will not turn away from you as he chooses to teach and reteach you what you need to learn for your life.  Be an active learner and grasp on to what he is giving out.  You won't ever regret that you did!


   

Where Does the Time Go?

  Where does the time go?  This was one of those phrases that always seemed odd to me when I was younger.  It seems when you are young that time seems to stretch out in front of you with enormity.  Days drag as you wait for that moment to open Christmas or birthday presents.  Minutes seem like hours when you are sitting in your least favorite class.  Then there is that time when summer vacation seems as close as crossing the Mojave Desert!  But then something seems to happen as you get older.  Of course there are some of those days, now, when time seems to just stand still.  However, I find this phrase slipping out of my own mouth more often as I get older.  For example, my goal this summer was to try to write an entry for this blog at least once a week.  But today when I logged in I couldn't believe it!  My last entry was in June!  I wanted to meet a goal of writing here every week.  Just where did July go?  

  

  Fortunately, my month has been filled with some amazing things.  My family got to spend some time viewing God's handiwork in northern Minnesota and along the shore of Lake Superior.  There were moments of laughter and silliness along with a few moments of "I've been in this car much too long with you!" It was a much needed vacation and one that was thoroughly enjoyed! 

 Another wonderful thing I participated in was Vacation Bible School  at our church.  I am always amazed by the way God's word can be presented to children in such inventive ways.  It reminds me of the words in Isaiah.  "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return from me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. We may not always see the results of our work that week but the seeds have been sown.

Another change we have had at our house was the addition of our oldest daughter living with us again. It has been a time of change and adjustment for all of us but it also has been a precious time of good conversations!  I also love the fact that she is an excellent cook and I enjoy eating what she prepares!  I am reminded that God's plan is not always our plan but his plan is for the best!

  Last but not least God answered a prayer that I have had since last December.  The day I made my decision to resign my previous teaching position I stepped out in faith trusting that God would supply our needs with a job that was for this season of my life.  On July 31st I was offered a job as a para-educator in the local school system.  This job will allow me to work with students still but without the stress and work of a regular classroom teacher.  I will have time for my blog throughout the year but also have plans to start the book God has been encouraging me to write for the past two years.  Over these past months I have continually returned to these words. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:25-34)  God knows exactly what we need when we need it!!

  So in answer to the question, "Where does the time go?" I would say the answer is wrapped up in the millions of tiny details that God sees and is a part of.  We may not always stop and think about what they are or how they are carried out but he is there every step of the way! 

  

Persevere

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  James 1:2-4


  My husband is one of those people who can get things done.  When he has a task at hand he is able to dig down deep and work hard to the end.  Me? Not so much.  I am more of a "get it started and finish it some time in the future" kind of gal.  I'm really good at taking on plenty of things but my interest wanes quickly.  I'm sure if you'd ask my husband he could tell you stories about the many projects or tasks I've started but never finished.  Or the times I've asked him to finish it for me!  What I lack is perseverance.  Don't get me wrong-I'm not saying that I never finish anything because I do.  It's just hard for me.  I try not to think about this little flaw of mine.  Let me let you in on a little secret though-God knows.  He whispers to my heart that perseverance is important to think about. 


  Do I think God is worried that I can't seem to get all the boxes in my house unpacked from a move that was two months ago?  Do I think God cares that the dishes sit in the sink while I read a book?  Does He bring this problem to my attention because I never finished a craft project that I was so excited to try?  Probably not.  But here is the problem--this lack of perseverance starts to bleed over into my relationship with Him.  I begin a bible study with delight but my attendance begins to wane.  My quiet time with Him goes almost non-existent for several months.  Troubles begin to rack up and my "get-out-of-the-boat-and-walk-faith" starts sinking faster than it started.  My intent not to worry about getting a job and paying the bills starts to fade as I get closer to my last paycheck from my previous job.  My good Christian parent modeling goes out the window along with the expletive I let loose on the driver who just cut me off.  I begin to question the truth of God's love for humanity when I see horrible things happening in the world all around me.  


  I begin to wonder what the true lack of perseverance could mean for me in my faith life.  Will it trip me up and cause me to doubt the reality of my Savior?  Will I stop believing that his death on the cross and resurrection were true?  When push comes to shove will I deny knowing him as Peter did?  Thanks be to God that he knows my every thought and fault.  Thanks be to God that he gives gentle reminders and sometimes not-so-gentle reminders that I should seek wisdom in this issue.  For, without him, I might just start the race he's set for me but never finish it.  My prayer for today is that you might see the importance of this perseverance, too.  Ask God to give you the wisdom to persevere in the race he has marked out for each and every one of us.


"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the authorand perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."  Hebrews 12:1-3
    


  

Something Beautiful

  Yesterday was my 47th birthday.  Most women cringe to announce their age as they get older.  Some of them even go as far as claiming to be 29 again!  Not true for me.  I have learned over the years to appreciate each and every birthday and to be so thankful to God for allowing me to celebrate once again.  Being thankful does not seem to come naturally for most of us, though.  We would rather groan and complain and fuss about what has gone wrong.  Or we'd rather lament about all those things that we don't have but wish we did.  Then there are some who fill their days with negative thoughts or feelings and seem to enjoy it.  I would love to say that I am one of those positive people who constantly see the good in everything and thank God for his part in it.  But, alas, I am not one of those people.  Every day I struggle falling into the trap of negativity and to be honest it is not me but God's power that brings me up out of the muck of life.

  Near our new home there is a wetland area that we drive by to get to a major shopping area of town.  Now that the Kansas heat and humidity of the summer have risen to really uncomfortable levels the largest water area of the wetlands has turned green with algae. One day I was driving past with the air conditioner blasting on high to cool down after just walking from house to car.  I was hot, grouchy and in a complaining mood when I looked at this area and thought YUCK!- that looks absolutely disgusting!  I wondered why on earth the city would keep this area protected when it was such an eyesore.  Then I saw it.  Standing in this muck on stilt legs was a bird of the most beautiful blue color I had ever seen.  I was amazed.  Then I was thankful for that bird.

  For you see, friends, that bird made me think.  Our lives on this Earth are filled with muck.  The muck of loneliness and despair.  Of hatred and murder.  Of jealousy and rage.  Of disease and war.  Of self absorption and loathing.  Of coveting and theft.  Of cynicism and unbelief.  Of fuss and complaint.  Of Sin.  We struggle in this muck of what looks disgusting and it threatens to bring us down.  But there is One who looks beyond the mess of life and has made us the beautiful blue bird.  What he did for us makes us clean and beautiful.  His death on the cross made us new.  He takes us up out of the quagmire and offers us new life.  


 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come." 
2 Corinthians 5:17


So, my friends, be thankful each day!  Celebrate each birthday with joy!  For God works every day to make you something beautiful.


Suggestions:
Feeling less than beautiful in this bog of life?  Listen to "Beautiful Things" by Gungor to be reminded that you are!

Same Story-Different Chapter

  In a small portion of my heart there is this fear.  I try to keep it hidden away and not think about it but it is always there.  Most of the time I do a great job of ignoring it but sometimes it bursts forth like a flower bud on a spring day.  Recently, on one of those warm spring days, that fear grew exponentially.  The doctor was telling my sister that the part of her pancreas that had been removed days earlier contained the same type of cancer that had taken our dear brother three years earlier. The adrenaline of fear coursed through my body as I cried out to God that I could not live this story again.  But then, I witnessed a miracle.  God turned the page and began a new and different chapter. My fear turned to hope as I heard the doctor tell us that this cancer had been found so early that it was only present in the part that had been removed- an "unheard of" precedent in the medical history of pancreas cancer.  I was in awe of what God had done. 

  I would not be honest, though, if I said that my fear is completely gone.  For you see, my dad's family carries a certain gene mutation known as Lynch Syndrome.  Over the last ten years my father and mother have seen three of their children diagnosed with three different types of cancer five different times.  I think a lot about what it means for my children and for my nephews. I wonder if I will be diagnosed again.  The news of my sister has been a lot to process and I will continue to process it over the next few weeks.  I have spent a lot of time with God asking why we even have to live this particular story.  Friends and family ask how we have gotten through it.  For me, it is my faith in Jesus. 

  I know that I cannot handle all that this world gives me.  I have to rely on him and what he has done for me.  In John 16:32-33, Jesus tells us this: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  The Christian walk does not guarantee a life free of pain or heartbreak but it does give us a way to overcome those things.  Through Jesus I can walk away from that fear that hides in my heart about this disease.  It also helps me to remember that this is not my final destination. I love the words in a song called "Where I Belong" by the group Building 429.  The group tells about the assurance that God gives us about eternal life in heaven. This world is not the destination God intended for me and I know the world of cancer will soon pass away.  So on this day I celebrate what God has done with this different chapter in our life story.  I praise and thank him for this little bit of heaven on earth.

Sorry, Lord, No Time!

Dear Lord,
  I am sorry that I haven't spoken to you lately.  You see,  it's been really hectic the last few months.  At work it has been very busy .  I even had classes and committees of my own.  There has been housework and extra projects and kids and pets.  There have been births and deaths with emotions galore.  I have been so busy, God, that I just seem to be barely fitting you in.  Surely, you can see that I don't have a lot of extra time!  I barely have time to go through my e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, and pin another interest.  That  video game I play also takes minutes away from my day.  I've become short on time to read about organizing myself in 25 quick steps and solving the latest mystery novel.  I even have to DVR some of my favorite television programs because there were two good things on at once and I couldn't watch them at the same time.    I really wanted to read your Word but I was too exhausted after the sporting event went into overtime.  Plus, I was answering a text on my cell phone while trying to sinc some music.  Yes, I know there were days when I spent hours with you but that was when I thought I was running out of time.  Now things are going great and I really can't spend as many hours with you when there is all this other stuff to do.  It is quite necessary to do all these things according to the world.  It will take hours and make me feel fulfilled.  At least that's what they say.  But...

I feel a little unstable...

There seems to be a sadness lurking around some days...

My relationships seem to be suffering...

I can't remember what my child said a moment ago.

Jesus, why do I fall into this trap of busyness?

I can't seem to breathe...

Help me...  make me whole... bring me back to you.

Love,
Your Child



   

In the Still of the Night

I don't know about you but I have nights when I can't sleep. For the most part I can go to sleep pretty well at the beginning but there are times I wake up in the middle of the night and cannot get back into that sweet slumber. Sometimes I try to watch television or get on Facebook to see who else is awake. Occasionally, I have found another who is on in the wee hours of the morning. There are times I go back to a book I am enjoying and can't wait to read again. I even remember trying to use the music of the once new Weather Channel! Finally, I have to admit there have been nights when my brain would not shut off with worries that would bind my life. Before Spinning became a popular exercise option at many health clubs it used to be and still is what I call my brain's hyperdrive in which every bad thought, worry and self-worth bashing clouds my brain. This was always combined with the constant watch of the clock only to discover that it was ten minutes later than the last time I had checked. Add the worry of never getting back to sleep and being a wreck at school the next day!

Over time, however, God has changed and reshaped the way I use this time in the still of the night. It wouldn't be the truth to say I don't have a miserable sleepless night from time to time. But for the most part, my Lord who loves me unconditionally, has given me a better way to spend my time when it is the darkest. Over the years as my relationship with him has grown and matured I have found myself reaching for my IPhone to listen to worship and praise music on Pandora. Or I have dug into my Bible to have his loving words fill my soul. Sometimes I will get on a favorite Christian website and a devotion will touch my heart. Other times I have gotten down on my knees and prayed for relief from the pain of cancer, grief or heartbreak as the tears have streamed down my face. There are hours of time in which I have talked to God on behalf of my husband, my children, family and friends.
 

For you see, I have learned that in the still of the night things slow down. If I begin to focus on the things that my Savior has done for me I take the focus off myself and my relationship with Jesus grows. Here in the quiet, away from the busyness of the day, I can pour my heart out to God who knows me infinitely greater than anyone else I know. For he knit me in the womb and knows my every thought. Here, instead of the roar of the hurricane, I can be in the eye. The calm place where the storm of life here on earth is pushed away. The place where I can imagine I see a glimpse of heaven. It is such a sweet thought this glimpse. It lets me see my Creator and Savior. It gives me back the ones who have gone before me. It is a salve for my earthly hurts that only Jesus can give! Nothing here on earth can give us that which we search for in this sinful world. No amount of money, prestige, or honor can compare. No Internet group or Facebook friend can love you as much. No activity, addiction or job can soothe your hurts. The only answer is Him.

So now in the still of the night I try to focus on the balm of words like these.

"In you, Oh Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit, redeem me , O Lord, the God of truth." Psalm 30:1-5

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant; being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phillipians 2:6-11

 

My sweet friends, I pray that you too can find his peace in the midst of the darkness. If you are not a person who finds your yourself awake in the hours before the dawn try to carve out your own nighttime during the day. I guarantee it will be more difficult as the storm of daily life rages around you but you will never regret it. God is the same yesterday, today and and tomorrow and he he is there for you anytime day or night.