What's Your "Cause?"

Being home during this "winter blast," I can't help but notice all the new things that are available for me to focus my attention on. It's difficult to get through a morning news show now without having to ask yourself if you are really exercising like you should, eating the right foods, wearing the right belt to create the shape that will make you look your best..all very important questions to ponder..

So many choices for me to make...Myself, I love to watch kids and see how they handle making decisions..In I Samuel 17: 27-29, we see King David as a young teenager and we are very blessed to get to see into his life..I particularly love when he is faced with his older brothers basically telling him to "get lost." When David shows up to bring food to them while they are in battle, kinda like the pizza delivery guy, he quickly becomes irritated because it appears to him as if no one really sees the problem...why are they letting the "uncircumcised Philistine taunt his God." David thinks the problem as simply, "Is there not a cause?"

David has a firm grasp in his mind of why he is there. He sees his purpose, but those around them don't. Sometimes in our lives, those around us don't see things the way we do because we have a different "cause." For me, I have always known that children and teenagers are at the center of my purpose. I am a true believer in educating children to the very best of my ability because in order for them to truly fulfill their destiny, they need to have the skills and discipline to face life's challenges. Sometimes others don't understand. For me, it's always been more than what I do, it is my ministry. Sometimes, that makes me a "little hard to take."


What is your cause? Why are you here? As Bill Wilson puts it, "the call is the need." What is it in our lives that needs your attention and your focus?

"Holding Out for the Big Money"

Have you ever seen one of those game shows where the contestant just keeps winning and winning, but chooses to keep trying to get the "really big money"? I'm not a big fan of game shows because I am too impatient, so I'm just thinking, "take the money and run." Some, however, would say "hang on, don't give up, this could be your big chance!"

As I think about a situation that has consumed my prayers and aspirations and I have believed God for with absolute, unwavering faith, I have to consider "am I supposed to take the money and run." Not really, but God has been dealing with me about my perception and even my desires. I have quoted verbatim to kids over the years,
Ps. 37:4, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." I have gone on to share "my great wisdom" and explain to them that as they consume the word and walk with God their very desires will change and be conformed to the Will of God..Wow, what a word!! It never ceases to amaze me how I can feel like I have such an understanding, then turn around and find I'm like a "new born babe."

As for me, I am in no way ready to "give up on my request." Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Instead, I am re-evaluating my positioning in this process. Since I have dedicated myself to standing firm, quoting the word, focusing all my attention upon this need, I have to admit at times, I have become so consumed with my petition I become almost paralized. My son recently said to me, "Mom, I think you've gotto go on and do whatever it is that God has called you to do instead of standing back and waiting for God to resolve this situation." I'm not quite sure how I do that, but I am certainly seeking God for direction.

"Lord, today, I am asking for your wisdom. My desire is to know You in a new way that maybe I've not experienced. My faith is steadfast and my hope is in You. I place my trust and those things that concern me in Your hands."

Cursive writing and walking with Jesus..

Trying to get myself in the mindset to return to school tomorrow after this glorious Christmas break, I'm spending some time planning my course of action. One of the things that comes to mind is I have to focus on cursive writing. To the average second-grader, cursive writing is a very big deal. They come in the classroom in September asking when they get to learn it and they try to "practice" on their own before you begin teaching it. As I think about how best to proceed, I consider how their skills are now.

I think this is much the same as our "walk with Jesus." First of all, a student's early experience with writing is very important as is our experience with Jesus. Some of us come from a heritage of growing up in church while others know very little of the "things of God" until we are adults. Since students are all different, I make sure I am moving around the room, able to observe every move, and redirecting when needed..Isn't that what the Holy Spirit does for us? I notice in the beginning, all eyes and ears are on me..they hang on every direction..then some venture out on their own..some do fine and some get into trouble quickly..making letters backwards, leaving out letters, etc...

My favorite intervention for students who are struggling with handwriting is to bring a student individually to the smartboard. I have a wall size writing paper and together we practice writing the letters. The student holds the pen and I hold the student's hand. For some, it takes a while for them to let go and let me move their hand. The purpose of this activity is so they can get the feel of making the letter correctly. Sometimes I have to just let go because they can't let go and let me move the pen. Wow, this is just like the Holy Spirit..How many times God has desired to "move the pen" and let me see how good it can be. Most of the time, I have a firm grip on it, however, and I evidentually get my own way..

This New Year, I'm going to try to learn to let go and let God. So, "Lord I want you to write what you will in my life, move into areas you choose, and for my part, I'm gonna try to LET GO OF THE PEN!!!"

The Joy of Getting Older

I actually love getting older..yea, you heard me right. Now I'm not referring to the extra weight gain, crows feet or hormonal 'issues,' instead I am thinking more of the way in which I see things as a forty-something..I guess it is because I 'just about worked myself to death' as a young, working mother. I notice these days I approach some things a little different than in my younger days. A perfect example of that is the way I approach the Christmas holiday. Today I am beginning the task of taking down the decorations. In years past, this would have been "huge ordeal" and I would have worked frantically until the job was done..However, as I drink my coffee, watch Home Alone for the hundredth time, answer some emails from friends, I am slowly taking take care of the the lights, silk poinsettias, dishes, angels, santas one piece at a time. I may be finished by sometime next week, but the cool thing is ...I'm good with that!! Being that these same decorations went up over a period of a couple of weeks..a little at a time...Actually, the last of the lights made it just a day before Kaleb got home!!



I'm still a multi-tasker at heart, but I try to not drive myself crazy with it..I notice that the closer I get to God..the more I read the word, take time to worship Him, and try to be obedient to His direction, I find myself going a 'little slower.' The world we live in today seems to get more complicated and more demanding everyday. I must confess, I can be a true "work-a-holic," not leaving school til around 6:00 most days. That's probably not going to change..


But, as I 'advance in age,' I hope to become a little wiser and take things as they come, trying to enjoy every minute...but as for the "crows feet" and "hot flashes", I'll keep fighting that battle with my Oil of Olay and my trusty B-12 pills...

My One Resolution

Here we go..another Happy New Year's day. I am one of the very fortunate ones who always has plently of time to give this resolution "thing" thought because I get to enjoy a teacher's Christmas vacation. As I contemplate all the things wrong with me that I need to fix, my weight, my health, my housecleaning, among other areas, my heart really cries out for something much more. Not that I couldn't use some work personally, but deep inside my true desire is to live a life that matters. This past year has been one of many changes for me, many of which were good opportutnies and even promotions. I have lived long enough to know, however, that some "good things" aren't always the things God has planned for us. I've also come to understand that I need to be in the center of God's Will to be truly fulfilled. For me, it's sorta like the difference in a diet soda and the "real thing." I can tolerate the low-calorie drink for a while, but what I really want is the "real stuff."

This year I would like to be able to truly "hear the voice of God" in a way that allows me to know clearly his plan. I love how God makes it real clear to Jeremiah in chapter 1, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." How cool is that!! We were known and planned by God. This year I want to get to the place that Jeremiah found himself after walking with God. In Jeremiah 10:23 "I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps." Wow, does that mean I could actually miss it if I try to plan my own way?

This year I have decided that while I'm going to continue to try to be wise and take care of myself, be kinder, and more thoughtful, I want to focus my attention on God's plan for my life.
I want to know what God is doing and align myself with His plan. Using the Israelites as an example, "In spite of all this, (God's provisions), they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe. So he ended their days in futility and their years in terror." Ps. 78:32-33.
This is not the epitaph I want inscribed upon my tombstone. Instead, my desire is for generations to come to be able to to stand upon the legacy that "She was a woman of faith, who knew God, and fulfilled her call according to the Father's plan for her generation.