One of the slogans I learned while working the steps is, "Do the next right thing in front of you." It's really helped me, especially lately. Sometimes when I wonder what the "right" thing to do is, I remember my friend Mitzi who says to ask yourself, "Is it pleasing to God?"
So, when I do the next right thing in front of me,
sometimes it means to put the phone down.
Sometimes it means to pick the phone up.
Sometimes it means to speak up.
Sometimes it means to keep my mouth shut.
Sometimes it means get out of bed and leave the house.
Sometimes it means to stay home.
Sometimes it means to spend/give away money.
Sometimes it means to not spend/give away money.
Sometimes it means to do something.
Sometimes it means to not do something.
Sometimes it means doing something I want to do.
Most of the time, it doesn't.
Sometimes it means doing something easy.
Most of the time, it doesn't.
Sometimes I do it/don't do it.
Sometimes I don't/do.
I don't always get it right, but I can say this:
I've never regretting doing the next right thing.
I'm thankful for His mercies that are new every single morning (and really afternoons and evenings, too).
Lately I've been telling myself, if I don't want to be doing X when Jesus returns or when I die, then perhaps I shouldn't be doing X- period.
Every day is a gift. How will I use it?
Every moment is a gift. What is the next right thing in front of me?
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Lunch on His Own
I've told this story before, but there's a reason I'm telling it again. Hold with me.
Years ago, I was a newly single mom of a baby and a 4 year old trying to find odd jobs to make ends meet. I took a job for a local church babysitting for their VBS teachers. The VBS was for children kinder and older, so both of mine were with the babysitters. Koby was in the baby class with me and Noah was across the hall with the other 4 year olds.
At lunch time, I went across to peek in on Noah. All of the kids had gotten their lunches and were settling in to eat. Most of these kids knew each other. This was not our church, so Noah did not know anyone. Groups of 4 year olds bunched up around the room and sat down to eat together. Noah was standing in the middle of the room, holding his lunch. He looked around, then sat down on the floor in the center of the room and began to eat- alone.
My heart ached. I wanted to rush in, grab him (and the baby), race home and never return. I wanted to rescue him- but I didn't. Noah never even complained. I think we even went back for 2-3 more days.
Fast forward nearly 16 years. Yesterday I sat with my almost 20 year old Noah at MEPS- Military Enlistment Processing Services- as he waited to leave to go to bootcamp. He was joining the Marine Reserves. When we said our final goodbyes, he had his sack lunch in his hand- and he was going into a room full of strangers to eat.
My heart ached this time, too, but for different reasons. My tears were because I wouldn't get to talk to or see him for 3 months- that's all. He is strong. I knew this time he didn't need any rescuing- in fact, he was on his way to the adventure of a lifetime.
Years ago, I was a newly single mom of a baby and a 4 year old trying to find odd jobs to make ends meet. I took a job for a local church babysitting for their VBS teachers. The VBS was for children kinder and older, so both of mine were with the babysitters. Koby was in the baby class with me and Noah was across the hall with the other 4 year olds.
At lunch time, I went across to peek in on Noah. All of the kids had gotten their lunches and were settling in to eat. Most of these kids knew each other. This was not our church, so Noah did not know anyone. Groups of 4 year olds bunched up around the room and sat down to eat together. Noah was standing in the middle of the room, holding his lunch. He looked around, then sat down on the floor in the center of the room and began to eat- alone.
My heart ached. I wanted to rush in, grab him (and the baby), race home and never return. I wanted to rescue him- but I didn't. Noah never even complained. I think we even went back for 2-3 more days.
Fast forward nearly 16 years. Yesterday I sat with my almost 20 year old Noah at MEPS- Military Enlistment Processing Services- as he waited to leave to go to bootcamp. He was joining the Marine Reserves. When we said our final goodbyes, he had his sack lunch in his hand- and he was going into a room full of strangers to eat.
My heart ached this time, too, but for different reasons. My tears were because I wouldn't get to talk to or see him for 3 months- that's all. He is strong. I knew this time he didn't need any rescuing- in fact, he was on his way to the adventure of a lifetime.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Supreme Court Decision
I feel your pain, I really do. You feel like the country is falling apart. You feel like our morality is crumbling. I'm not so sure that it is any less different today than yesterday, except for the fact that we Christians are perhaps losing our positive affect on the world.
Please hear me out. I think that anytime our government legally allows something that Christians believe is wrong, we are afraid. We feel like this is the collapse of our nation. In the grand scheme of things, I'm not sure that the state of our nation even matters.
What did Jesus say? What did he teach? Did he rally the disciples to storm the steps of the government and demand that temple prostitution be made illegal? No, he commended the love shown by the prostitute and told her that he forgave her.
If I remember correctly, Jesus's actions often puzzled or even outraged the religious folks of the time.
God's laws cannot be legislated. If so, do we make it illegal to divorce except in the case of adultery? Do we make it illegal to have sex outside of marriage? Do we make it illegal to get drunk? We know how well that law in our country's history worked. No, God's laws must be written on our hearts and chosen to follow.
I'm pretty sure that the ruling today is not going to determine whether or not someone is going to partake of homosexuality. That decision is made in the hearts of humans, not in the courtroom. Today's decision does not mean that you have to agree with that lifestyle, either. It simply means that in this country, people can chose anyone to marry.
I don't have to agree with a lifestyle to agree that individuals who chose it deserve to have the same civil rights that I do. Should women who get pregnant outside of wedlock not be allowed the same medical care as married women, because, well you know, we would be condoning their behavior?
So, here is what I have to say. My goal is to win others to Christ. I cannot do that while hating or bashing. I cannot do that while making fun of people. When I partake in these things, I lose my influence.
If today's decision is going to motivate Christians to action, shouldn't it be to get us up and sharing our love and faith more? Shouldn't we be more motivated to win souls to Jesus by sharing the good news of salvation?
After all, Jesus saves and changes lives, not the government.
Please hear me out. I think that anytime our government legally allows something that Christians believe is wrong, we are afraid. We feel like this is the collapse of our nation. In the grand scheme of things, I'm not sure that the state of our nation even matters.
What did Jesus say? What did he teach? Did he rally the disciples to storm the steps of the government and demand that temple prostitution be made illegal? No, he commended the love shown by the prostitute and told her that he forgave her.
If I remember correctly, Jesus's actions often puzzled or even outraged the religious folks of the time.
God's laws cannot be legislated. If so, do we make it illegal to divorce except in the case of adultery? Do we make it illegal to have sex outside of marriage? Do we make it illegal to get drunk? We know how well that law in our country's history worked. No, God's laws must be written on our hearts and chosen to follow.
I'm pretty sure that the ruling today is not going to determine whether or not someone is going to partake of homosexuality. That decision is made in the hearts of humans, not in the courtroom. Today's decision does not mean that you have to agree with that lifestyle, either. It simply means that in this country, people can chose anyone to marry.
I don't have to agree with a lifestyle to agree that individuals who chose it deserve to have the same civil rights that I do. Should women who get pregnant outside of wedlock not be allowed the same medical care as married women, because, well you know, we would be condoning their behavior?
So, here is what I have to say. My goal is to win others to Christ. I cannot do that while hating or bashing. I cannot do that while making fun of people. When I partake in these things, I lose my influence.
If today's decision is going to motivate Christians to action, shouldn't it be to get us up and sharing our love and faith more? Shouldn't we be more motivated to win souls to Jesus by sharing the good news of salvation?
After all, Jesus saves and changes lives, not the government.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Do Your Part or Stop Complaining (or both!)
Years ago I remember spending time complaining about how my ex-husband (oh, how I hate that word- but that's another story) was not paying child support. I was complaining to my James Group the Other Half (read Al-Anon) sponsor. Her response was basically that I needed to do something about it or stop complaining. Had I done my part? Had I filed child support papers with the attorney general? No. Then stop complaining. It was hard to hear, but a lesson I needed to learn. I wasn't emotionally ready to go to court, so I decided that my only appropriate course of action was to stop complaining. If I wasn't ready to do my part, how could I complain that he wasn't doing his part. (FYI a few years later I was ready and filed. :))
This lesson has helped me several times in my life. First, it's helped me as a parent. When my youngest was maybe two, I was at my wit's end. I mean, he was doing things he shouldn't be doing and saying things that he shouldn't be saying. Frustratingly enough, me simply saying "NO!" from across the room was not working. Imagine that. He was not meeting my expectations at all. It was at this time that I purchased and read the updated "Strong-Willed Child" by James Dobson. I realized of course that I was not doing my part. It was my job to teach him. If I loved this child and wanted to do right by him, then I needed to get up and walk across the room, kneel down to his level and say "NO!" in his face. It showed him I was serious and that I cared enough to make the effort. Of course, I would have to do this about a thousand times a day for years.
From time to time as a parent I still have to have a get serious moment with myself when I find myself being frustrated and overwhelmed by my children's behaviors. What had I done to help the situation? What was my part? Had I done my part? More often than not, I hadn't. I had to remember that I'm the adult and needed to just suck it up and do what needed to be done- be that grounding, turning off the wifi, setting up teacher conferences, etc. It is my job, after all, to teach them.
Just today I realized that I have also had to learn this lesson as a teacher. It is all to easy to gripe and complain about my students. Yesterday I was especially frustrated at the increased amount of talking and the decreased amount of working that was taking place. I was losing it. In speaking (read complaining) with a wise co-worker, I was reminded, "Have you done this? Have you done that?" In my head, I'm thinking, "Ugh! That is too much work! They need to just be quiet and work!"
I realized, once again, that it is my job to teach them. This morning in a staff meeting, we heard the phrase, "Teacher behavior drives student behavior." Sigh. Yes, it's up to me. So, I took a deep breath and simply took the time to do some re-teaching. Not yelling, not demoralizing, but re-teaching. Did it take time? Yes. Did I want to do it? No. Was it my decision to do it? Yes. Was it work? Yes. Are my students (and my sanity) worth it? You bet!
Talk is cheap. Anyone can complain about a situation. What needs to happen is someone needs to do something about it.
This lesson has helped me several times in my life. First, it's helped me as a parent. When my youngest was maybe two, I was at my wit's end. I mean, he was doing things he shouldn't be doing and saying things that he shouldn't be saying. Frustratingly enough, me simply saying "NO!" from across the room was not working. Imagine that. He was not meeting my expectations at all. It was at this time that I purchased and read the updated "Strong-Willed Child" by James Dobson. I realized of course that I was not doing my part. It was my job to teach him. If I loved this child and wanted to do right by him, then I needed to get up and walk across the room, kneel down to his level and say "NO!" in his face. It showed him I was serious and that I cared enough to make the effort. Of course, I would have to do this about a thousand times a day for years.
From time to time as a parent I still have to have a get serious moment with myself when I find myself being frustrated and overwhelmed by my children's behaviors. What had I done to help the situation? What was my part? Had I done my part? More often than not, I hadn't. I had to remember that I'm the adult and needed to just suck it up and do what needed to be done- be that grounding, turning off the wifi, setting up teacher conferences, etc. It is my job, after all, to teach them.
Just today I realized that I have also had to learn this lesson as a teacher. It is all to easy to gripe and complain about my students. Yesterday I was especially frustrated at the increased amount of talking and the decreased amount of working that was taking place. I was losing it. In speaking (read complaining) with a wise co-worker, I was reminded, "Have you done this? Have you done that?" In my head, I'm thinking, "Ugh! That is too much work! They need to just be quiet and work!"
I realized, once again, that it is my job to teach them. This morning in a staff meeting, we heard the phrase, "Teacher behavior drives student behavior." Sigh. Yes, it's up to me. So, I took a deep breath and simply took the time to do some re-teaching. Not yelling, not demoralizing, but re-teaching. Did it take time? Yes. Did I want to do it? No. Was it my decision to do it? Yes. Was it work? Yes. Are my students (and my sanity) worth it? You bet!
Talk is cheap. Anyone can complain about a situation. What needs to happen is someone needs to do something about it.
Friday, August 15, 2014
Back to School *insert clever saying here*
Social media is full of fun posts about back to school. Videos of dancing orangutans to describe the joy parents are feeling, and of Michael Scott screaming, "NO!" to describe how teachers are feeling. I have teacher friends who have been posting about working in their rooms, getting everything ready. Me? I haven't even stepped foot in my school since June 6th. I won't lie. I love summer, er, summer break! Sleeping late, lazy days, summer camp, youth group mission trip, fun outings, family fun, sleeping late, lazy days, you get the idea. I love summer break!
Don't get me wrong- I also love my job. I'm incredibly blessed to have it. I work in a fantastic place with even more fantastic people! And, I work with many believers- how great is that? But, I'm lazy, so sleeping late and lazy days are precious to me. Smile.
So, when back to school time rolls back around, I moan and groan. I will get my classroom in order in time. I will be grateful and happy to come to work, but a part of me is screaming, "No!"
I've always tried to love people and show Jesus in my job, even though I have struggled greatly with it. I have considered that I'm an employee of God, not CFB. But, I've kind of had the mindset of, "Well, as long as I have to be here to support my family, I should act like God wants me to."
But, lately, I'm seeing going back to school differently. God has been working extra hard on my heart this past week or so. "I have a job for you- a mission field. And it's at Vivian Field Middle School in Farmers Branch."
Will I accept his assignment?
Will I be eager to meet my new students?
Will I spend time to get to know them?
Will I be able to show love to them even when they aren't lovable?
Will I be patient with them when they act like average 7th graders?
Will I be eager to get to know my new co-workers (and the returning ones)?
Will I spend time to get to know them?
Will I be able to show love to them even when they aren't lovable?
Will I be patient with them when they act like average adults?
Will I show Jesus and share Jesus with students and staff every opportunity I can?
Gulp.
That means telling myself no. A lot.
That means being positive. A lot.
That means taking a deep breath. A lot.
God has set a task before me. Has he set one before you?
How can I scream, "No!" to such a call?
As a baptized believer, I have the Holy Spirit living inside of me! INSIDE OF ME, PEOPLE! THE HOLY SPIRIT! How dare I not let him have control!
Join me as God sends his people into the school system. Join me as we answer God's call to go into all the world. And pray for me. Pray for all teachers. Pray that we treat his children the way he wants us to.
Back to school? You bet!
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28: 18-20
Don't get me wrong- I also love my job. I'm incredibly blessed to have it. I work in a fantastic place with even more fantastic people! And, I work with many believers- how great is that? But, I'm lazy, so sleeping late and lazy days are precious to me. Smile.
So, when back to school time rolls back around, I moan and groan. I will get my classroom in order in time. I will be grateful and happy to come to work, but a part of me is screaming, "No!"
I've always tried to love people and show Jesus in my job, even though I have struggled greatly with it. I have considered that I'm an employee of God, not CFB. But, I've kind of had the mindset of, "Well, as long as I have to be here to support my family, I should act like God wants me to."
But, lately, I'm seeing going back to school differently. God has been working extra hard on my heart this past week or so. "I have a job for you- a mission field. And it's at Vivian Field Middle School in Farmers Branch."
Will I accept his assignment?
Will I be eager to meet my new students?
Will I spend time to get to know them?
Will I be able to show love to them even when they aren't lovable?
Will I be patient with them when they act like average 7th graders?
Will I be eager to get to know my new co-workers (and the returning ones)?
Will I spend time to get to know them?
Will I be able to show love to them even when they aren't lovable?
Will I be patient with them when they act like average adults?
Will I show Jesus and share Jesus with students and staff every opportunity I can?
Gulp.
That means telling myself no. A lot.
That means being positive. A lot.
That means taking a deep breath. A lot.
God has set a task before me. Has he set one before you?
How can I scream, "No!" to such a call?
As a baptized believer, I have the Holy Spirit living inside of me! INSIDE OF ME, PEOPLE! THE HOLY SPIRIT! How dare I not let him have control!
Join me as God sends his people into the school system. Join me as we answer God's call to go into all the world. And pray for me. Pray for all teachers. Pray that we treat his children the way he wants us to.
Back to school? You bet!
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28: 18-20
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Matthew 5:43-48 for Teachers
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love the good kids and hate the others.’ But I tell you, love the kids that cause problems and pray for those who make you want to tear your hair out, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the kids from loving homes and kids from neglectful homes, and sends rain on the gifted students and the struggling students.
If you love those students who do all their work and don't get on your nerves, what reward will you get? Don't all teachers do that? And if you smile and speak nicely only to your students who smile and speak nicely to you, what are you doing more than others? Doesn't everyone do that?
I tell you, I want you to be different. Love the kid that never does his work. Smile and be kind to the kid who never has her supplies. Encourage the child who is constantly getting office referrals. Show respect to the student that does not show respect to you. Show mercy to the student who makes you want to scream, or quit, or both. Show grace to the child who just never seems to know what is going on. Speak calmly to the child who asks you what they are supposed to do when you just gave the directions for the tenth time.
Love them. All of them. Each of them. For this is the way our Father in heaven loves us- when we don't deserve it.
And, oh how glad I am He does!
cgh
If you love those students who do all their work and don't get on your nerves, what reward will you get? Don't all teachers do that? And if you smile and speak nicely only to your students who smile and speak nicely to you, what are you doing more than others? Doesn't everyone do that?
I tell you, I want you to be different. Love the kid that never does his work. Smile and be kind to the kid who never has her supplies. Encourage the child who is constantly getting office referrals. Show respect to the student that does not show respect to you. Show mercy to the student who makes you want to scream, or quit, or both. Show grace to the child who just never seems to know what is going on. Speak calmly to the child who asks you what they are supposed to do when you just gave the directions for the tenth time.
Love them. All of them. Each of them. For this is the way our Father in heaven loves us- when we don't deserve it.
And, oh how glad I am He does!
cgh
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
What Am I Supposed To Do Again?
Frequently heard in my classroom:
Me: Ok, class, that is the end of my thorough explanation. You have now been given the instructions in clear, concise steps. You may begin.
Student: Miss, what are we suppose to do?
Me: Did you listen to the instructions?
Student: Yes.
Me: What did I say?
Student: I don't know.
*************************************
Me: Class, remember that the assignment is due tomorrow.
Student: Miss, when is this due?
*************************************
Me: Ok, any questions? *Appropriate wait time. * No, great, then everyone understands! Let's get to work.
Student: Miss, what do I do again?
*************************************
Me: What did I already tell you?
Me: What do you think you should do?
Me: Have you read the instructions?
Me: Have you asked a classmate if they know?
Me: I explained this already while you were sleeping, daydreaming, drawing, etc.
Me: Why weren't you listening?
Me: What did you do the last time we did this?
Me: I've already explained this three times.
Me: I've already explained this four times.
Me: I've already explained this a million times.
Me: What is the matter with you?
Ok, I work really hard to not say that last one. But, here we are, two more days with students until summer break, and this is how I'm feeling...
Me: Ok, class, that is the end of my thorough explanation. You have now been given the instructions in clear, concise steps. You may begin.
Student: Miss, what are we suppose to do?
Me: Did you listen to the instructions?
Student: Yes.
Me: What did I say?
Student: I don't know.
*************************************
Me: Class, remember that the assignment is due tomorrow.
Student: Miss, when is this due?
*************************************
Me: Ok, any questions? *Appropriate wait time. * No, great, then everyone understands! Let's get to work.
Student: Miss, what do I do again?
*************************************
Me: What did I already tell you?
Me: What do you think you should do?
Me: Have you read the instructions?
Me: Have you asked a classmate if they know?
Me: I explained this already while you were sleeping, daydreaming, drawing, etc.
Me: Why weren't you listening?
Me: What did you do the last time we did this?
Me: I've already explained this three times.
Me: I've already explained this four times.
Me: I've already explained this a million times.
Me: What is the matter with you?
Ok, I work really hard to not say that last one. But, here we are, two more days with students until summer break, and this is how I'm feeling...
Yes, that's me on the right.
I admit that by the end of the year, I'm exasperated by my students. It takes everything I have. Deep breath. Count to three. Remember that God loves this child and it's your job to show Jesus to them.
Ah, but so many times I lose my patience. So many times the frustration comes through in my words and tone.
Yesterday, I was listening to a new Christian radio station in Dallas- Air One- 101.7- (which is great, by the way). A comment was made that caused me to realize that what my students do to me (seemingly three million times a day) is what I do to God.
Me: God, what am I suppose to do?
Me: God, I don't know what to do!
Me: God, could you help me, please?
Has God given me directions? Was I listening? Paying attention? Have I read His instructions? What have I been preparing for? Am I ready to work? Do I trust his lead?
Ah, God is so patient with me. And He has no summer break.
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