After 91 days in school, first semester grades are done and we're 9 days and counting from our annual 100th Day celebration in kindergarten. Of all the festivity in the classroom, including a winter party, Dr. Seuss week, a Valentine exchange and an end of the year bash, the 100th Day is my favorite! Lately I've had the mid-year blues from a growing list of end of the year expectations and a decreasing number of days off and I've been particularly discouraged as a teacher in the recent weeks. So, it is refreshing and encouraging to reflect on how far we've come in just the first 100 days of school, not to mention the first days of a 13 year endeavor.
If you asked me what I do as a teacher, I would say that I serve 5 and 6 year olds for a living, the best paying gig on the planet. By my calulations, the 100th day represents 700 classroom hours with my adorable clients with services including hundreds of shoes tied, hundreds of backpacks stuffed/zipped and organized, hundreds of bandaids applied, hundreds of lunch items opened, hundreds of stories read, hundreds (maybe 1000's) of pencils sharpened, hundreds of crocodile tears dried and hundreds of questions answered (100's of questions daily).
When I think about why I invest every fiber of myself to this calling, leaving my 3 daughters to get ready for school and eat breakfast without Mom each morning and to arrive home to an empty house each afternoon, it's the students and what takes place in those first 100 days of school. Boys who didn't know their letter names or sounds are reading and writing with confidence. Girls who wouldn't speak above a whisper are now fielding questions from classmates with assertiveness. Students who couldn't or wouldn't pay attention for more than a minute are now focused and motivated to learn. Daily I get to see an understanding of numbers, letters, words, sentences click for 20 precious individuals. I've figured out what makes each child tick and how to motivate areas of difficulty. For this reason, it's time to celebrate and to rejoice in the classroom and to put an end to those mid-year blues.
Comments I hear quite often (even yesterday) include, "You kindergarten teachers are so __ (fill in the blank)" "I don't know how you do it." Franky, as I step into the mid-forties, working alongside women much younger, cooler and more energetic than me, I have days where I think, "I don't know how long I can do this." For this reason, I begin each day with prayers of thanksgiving and humble dependence, asking the Lord to help me love and serve my students well-- for His glory.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
The Power of a Story
We've begun the annual tradition of starting off the year trying to see all or most of the Oscar nominated movies before the award show. Even this weekend, we went to a movie on Friday and Saturday evening. The contrast in the two cinematic experiences couldn't be more obvious or dramatic. One movie had all the elements of a memorable story--interesting characters with identifiable struggles and just enough drama and perseverance to keep you involved until the end-- where circumstances or people are redeemed in one way or another. While the other feature left me checking the time on my phone (every 3 minutes) to see how long until the movie would be over and I could get out of the theater. This annual movie obsession got me to thinking about why we spend so much time and money at the theater. Possibly, it's the power of a story that captures us.
The month of January also tends to include a list of books that I would like to read throughout the year. It is a great pleasure when I find myself so caught up in a novel that I rejoice or weep, even get angry, with characters and when I feel personally acquainted with the personalities of the individuals, including significant flaws and depth of character. As a kindergarten teacher, perhaps the greatest joy in the classroom includes sharing literature experiences with my students. Highly active and rarely quiet 5 and 6 years old children freeze like statues during daily read alouds. Student engagement increases during discussion of story elements-- characters, setting, problem and solution. The influence of a good story is clear even from the beginning of life, during the baby and toddler years.
Recently, while watching one of my favorite television shows/stories (Downton Abbey), I was struck by the dialogue from one of the characters. The gentleman who leads the mansion staff said, "The business of life is the acquisition of memories. In the end, that's all there is." While I relate with this sentiment and often find myself collecting and rehearsing memories from the past, I do not agree with his conclusion-- "That's all there is." Life is the greatest of all stories filled with sin, tragedy, triumph, perseverance, hope and redemption. The Bible, containing history, poetry and prophecy, is simply the story of redemption for God's people. In the end, I hope the story of my life reads with authentic struggle (including significant character flaws), dependance upon divine mercy and the growing restoration of my heart through the power of the spirit. My hope and intention in writing this blog includes recording my story in hope that others will find encouragement through Christ's redeeming work in my life.
The month of January also tends to include a list of books that I would like to read throughout the year. It is a great pleasure when I find myself so caught up in a novel that I rejoice or weep, even get angry, with characters and when I feel personally acquainted with the personalities of the individuals, including significant flaws and depth of character. As a kindergarten teacher, perhaps the greatest joy in the classroom includes sharing literature experiences with my students. Highly active and rarely quiet 5 and 6 years old children freeze like statues during daily read alouds. Student engagement increases during discussion of story elements-- characters, setting, problem and solution. The influence of a good story is clear even from the beginning of life, during the baby and toddler years.
Recently, while watching one of my favorite television shows/stories (Downton Abbey), I was struck by the dialogue from one of the characters. The gentleman who leads the mansion staff said, "The business of life is the acquisition of memories. In the end, that's all there is." While I relate with this sentiment and often find myself collecting and rehearsing memories from the past, I do not agree with his conclusion-- "That's all there is." Life is the greatest of all stories filled with sin, tragedy, triumph, perseverance, hope and redemption. The Bible, containing history, poetry and prophecy, is simply the story of redemption for God's people. In the end, I hope the story of my life reads with authentic struggle (including significant character flaws), dependance upon divine mercy and the growing restoration of my heart through the power of the spirit. My hope and intention in writing this blog includes recording my story in hope that others will find encouragement through Christ's redeeming work in my life.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Merry Christmas from Carl
It's been a very Merry Christmas for the Oliphint family. Last year seemed haunted with a tremendous void in the family and the absence of Dad in our lives. While we enjoy a lull in the Christmas Day festivities, I want to capture Christmas Eve while I can recall the details making it an almost sacred day. It was filled with reminders of Dad and his obvious presence in our lives. Throughout the holiday, peace overwhelmed us and his memory brought comfort instead of pain.
We awoke on Christmas Eve morning to the smell of wassail and I was reminded of the annual tradition of stuffing cloves into oranges with my brother. I don't think I ever tasted the goodness of the beverage containing ingredients unfit for a young girl, but a first glance at three clove-filled-oranges stuffed by my daughter brought me back to my childhood. Also that morning, I enjoyed listening to the same daughter on the piano as sunlight streamed through the window and a portrait of my Dad was prominently displayed before my eyes. Just through the window, the ice covered trees sparkled like diamonds as the sun was shining on them. Locals faced the threat of branches falling on their houses, cars and power lines, but I was simply awestruck by the beauty of this glorious, almost magical, sight. Within a few hours, my brother and 16 of my Dad's friends arrived for lunch wearing ragged clothes and scruffy facial hair having spent the morning at bus stations and homeless shelters passing out envelopes filled with cash and labeled, "Merry Christmas from Carl". They continued a tradition started by my Dad and honored him with their presence in Mom's home and stories from a frigid morning spent with those suffering in our midst. Once again, as I spent time with some of Dad's friends, even a man who visited the hospital on the day of my birth, I felt Dad's presence among us.
Christmas Eve ended with a chili dinner and worship at the midnight service. We attended the church where my brother's family are members and where my Dad attended youth group as a teenager. I was struck by the history of the church, including generations of family membership. It was the perfect ending to a day full of joy and peace with all of our loved ones gathered to celebrate the Incarnation of our Lord. As we closed the service with traditional hymns, I was caught off guard by a repeating lyric in "Joy to the World". Grateful tears streamed down my face as we sang, "and heaven and earth rejoice" over and over. This was yet another powerful connection with Dad; he's rejoicing with us in the presence of our Lord and Savior. While singing Silent Night, we filed into the foyer to hear the Hallelujah Chorus. I pictured Dad singing along and beaming with pride as his granddaughter and grandsons were in such a spectacular choir. Yet, I also imagined him knowing the full reality of this magnificent work.
While the title of the blog is weird, to say the least, it really has felt like a very merry Christmas from Carl. One can only hope to leave this world and be remembered by loved ones in such profoundly tangible ways. The overwhelming feeling last year was of a gaping hole, but this year I felt his presence in our midst and this was a tremendous blessing. I hope your family's holiday was full of joy and peace and the richest blessings from Christ our Lord.
We awoke on Christmas Eve morning to the smell of wassail and I was reminded of the annual tradition of stuffing cloves into oranges with my brother. I don't think I ever tasted the goodness of the beverage containing ingredients unfit for a young girl, but a first glance at three clove-filled-oranges stuffed by my daughter brought me back to my childhood. Also that morning, I enjoyed listening to the same daughter on the piano as sunlight streamed through the window and a portrait of my Dad was prominently displayed before my eyes. Just through the window, the ice covered trees sparkled like diamonds as the sun was shining on them. Locals faced the threat of branches falling on their houses, cars and power lines, but I was simply awestruck by the beauty of this glorious, almost magical, sight. Within a few hours, my brother and 16 of my Dad's friends arrived for lunch wearing ragged clothes and scruffy facial hair having spent the morning at bus stations and homeless shelters passing out envelopes filled with cash and labeled, "Merry Christmas from Carl". They continued a tradition started by my Dad and honored him with their presence in Mom's home and stories from a frigid morning spent with those suffering in our midst. Once again, as I spent time with some of Dad's friends, even a man who visited the hospital on the day of my birth, I felt Dad's presence among us.
Christmas Eve ended with a chili dinner and worship at the midnight service. We attended the church where my brother's family are members and where my Dad attended youth group as a teenager. I was struck by the history of the church, including generations of family membership. It was the perfect ending to a day full of joy and peace with all of our loved ones gathered to celebrate the Incarnation of our Lord. As we closed the service with traditional hymns, I was caught off guard by a repeating lyric in "Joy to the World". Grateful tears streamed down my face as we sang, "and heaven and earth rejoice" over and over. This was yet another powerful connection with Dad; he's rejoicing with us in the presence of our Lord and Savior. While singing Silent Night, we filed into the foyer to hear the Hallelujah Chorus. I pictured Dad singing along and beaming with pride as his granddaughter and grandsons were in such a spectacular choir. Yet, I also imagined him knowing the full reality of this magnificent work.
While the title of the blog is weird, to say the least, it really has felt like a very merry Christmas from Carl. One can only hope to leave this world and be remembered by loved ones in such profoundly tangible ways. The overwhelming feeling last year was of a gaping hole, but this year I felt his presence in our midst and this was a tremendous blessing. I hope your family's holiday was full of joy and peace and the richest blessings from Christ our Lord.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Resting or Restless
In North Texas, we are on day three of an ice event keeping families at home. The roads are thick ice and the skies are completely white with no sign of melting in the immediate future. The wind chill makes it feel like 23 degrees, so only the tough among us are enjoying the outdoors while sledding, slipping and sliding on every imaginable surface, including the grass. For some of us, time is spent watching movies, baking, playing games and reading (etc.), but for others of us (including my family members in Dallas), it means freezing and complete boredom while on day 3 of no power. To put it simply, we are STUCK at home due to God's providence of paralyzing weather.
For me, this is a picture of so much of our lives. Every day we face the protective care of God and circumstances out of our control. It seems we have only two choices while dealing with a difficult providence. We can rest in Him or we can be restless. As I start to feel cabin fever, restlessness increases, but at the same time I'm also grateful for (and mindful of) a time of forced refreshment where there is nothing I can do to change the weather forecast. This posture, or shall I say tension, relates to multiple daily challenges where I battle a tendency to be anxious rather than trusting in the tender hand and almighty power of God. So often, His is work in my life is through circumstances out of my control where I wrestle and then learn to abide in Him more fully.
"The Lord in my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
Psalm 23
"Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11: 28-30
For me, this is a picture of so much of our lives. Every day we face the protective care of God and circumstances out of our control. It seems we have only two choices while dealing with a difficult providence. We can rest in Him or we can be restless. As I start to feel cabin fever, restlessness increases, but at the same time I'm also grateful for (and mindful of) a time of forced refreshment where there is nothing I can do to change the weather forecast. This posture, or shall I say tension, relates to multiple daily challenges where I battle a tendency to be anxious rather than trusting in the tender hand and almighty power of God. So often, His is work in my life is through circumstances out of my control where I wrestle and then learn to abide in Him more fully.
"The Lord in my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
Psalm 23
"Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11: 28-30
Saturday, November 23, 2013
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
It's that time again!!! The bells are ringing outside of shopping malls and grocery stores. The 2013 Holiday TV Guide is sitting on the coffee table. We are planning our first viewing of our favorite Christmas movie- Elf. Online shopping lists are growing and orders are being placed. The neighborhood is beginning to shine with Christmas lights, a particular treat with the sun setting before 6:00 p.m. The Christmas cards are here and ready for addresses of loved ones near and far. Christmas music fills our ears and tugs at our hearts as we reflect on another year full of challenges and blessings.
Every year, as I begin to address the cards, I'm reminded of God's rich blessing in the people He brings into our lives. Surprisingly, we've sent a Christmas card every year for the past 19 years without missing a season. Last year, I wasn't in a particularly merry mood and decided to skip a year. Kyle insisted on sending a card, even offering to order and address them himself, so our record remains unbroken. I truly love sending and receiving cards and have a long standing tradition of filling our refrigerator with the photos of dear families who have shaped and blessed our lives. However, as I stare at the beautiful, smiling faces in these pictures, I'm also aware that there is struggle, sadness and sacrifice taking place in the homes of these dear friends. Marriage and parenting stretches many of us daily. Grief, insecurity and loneliness are familiar experiences to others of us and the holiday season can be a painful reminder of great loss in our lives. In the recent days, I have smiled through tears while watching my Dad twirl and dance with Caroline on a recent Thanksgiving video. We've enjoyed seeing Kyle's Mom in many of these holiday videos with her continually sweet, loving and gentle presence. As I get ready to send our 19th picture perfect family photo with "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" prominently displayed across the bottom, I'm struck with the comical, even sad, truth that this is not true for many who send and receive cards just after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Also after Thanksgiving, we will begin singing Christmas hymns during worship and we will continue reading the Gospels containing the story of the incarnation. We will be reminded of the hope, joy, and peace that comes only from our Lord. We will also be reminded, in this season filled with cultural tradition and festivity, that God's abundant mercy, His great faithfulness and His steadfast love remains our only hope in life and in death. With just a few days before our first holiday celebration, King David's song of thanksgiving especially encourages my soul during this most wonderful time of the year.
"Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!.......
Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Decalre his glory amonth the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. Ascribe to the LORD, O clans of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!" Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!" from 1 Chronicles 16
Every year, as I begin to address the cards, I'm reminded of God's rich blessing in the people He brings into our lives. Surprisingly, we've sent a Christmas card every year for the past 19 years without missing a season. Last year, I wasn't in a particularly merry mood and decided to skip a year. Kyle insisted on sending a card, even offering to order and address them himself, so our record remains unbroken. I truly love sending and receiving cards and have a long standing tradition of filling our refrigerator with the photos of dear families who have shaped and blessed our lives. However, as I stare at the beautiful, smiling faces in these pictures, I'm also aware that there is struggle, sadness and sacrifice taking place in the homes of these dear friends. Marriage and parenting stretches many of us daily. Grief, insecurity and loneliness are familiar experiences to others of us and the holiday season can be a painful reminder of great loss in our lives. In the recent days, I have smiled through tears while watching my Dad twirl and dance with Caroline on a recent Thanksgiving video. We've enjoyed seeing Kyle's Mom in many of these holiday videos with her continually sweet, loving and gentle presence. As I get ready to send our 19th picture perfect family photo with "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" prominently displayed across the bottom, I'm struck with the comical, even sad, truth that this is not true for many who send and receive cards just after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Also after Thanksgiving, we will begin singing Christmas hymns during worship and we will continue reading the Gospels containing the story of the incarnation. We will be reminded of the hope, joy, and peace that comes only from our Lord. We will also be reminded, in this season filled with cultural tradition and festivity, that God's abundant mercy, His great faithfulness and His steadfast love remains our only hope in life and in death. With just a few days before our first holiday celebration, King David's song of thanksgiving especially encourages my soul during this most wonderful time of the year.
"Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!.......
Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Decalre his glory amonth the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. Ascribe to the LORD, O clans of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!" Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!" from 1 Chronicles 16
Saturday, November 16, 2013
A Pilgrim's Anticipation
We've entered a season of anticipation for the Thanksgiving and
Christmas holidays. I love every bit of Thanksgiving, including the
smells and tastes of the food, the focus on gratitude and some time to
rest and enjoy the finer things in life..... family, food, and sadly,
much football. Go Commodores! However, upon return from the
break, we will have a unit on the Grinch to kick off the winter holiday
season. This is fitting as my attitude and anticipation of Christmas
resembles the Grinch, considering the commercialization
involved in celebrating the incarnation of our Lord. Even Santa makes
me grumpy as he represents all that is greedy and indulgent in our culture. But I
digress.....
This week in kindergarten we covered the pilgrims' voyage to the new world, including their desire for religious freedom, the conditions of the ship (with just over 100 passengers for 66 days) and the storms and struggles during the journey. We simulated the dimensions of the Mayflower in the hallway and collected all 120 kindergarteners and 6 teachers to discuss living in close quarters for longer than our current days in school. We brought traveling "trunks" to class with just a handful of important items to help on the journey to America. In a five year old friendly way, we made it real and personal without making it too dark for them. They learned that half of the passengers died during that first harsh winter and that the trip across the ocean was very difficult. We wrote about what we would think or say if we were on the boat. Some of the responses included: "It is cold."..... "I feel sick.".... and "I do not like this ship. It is stinky and scary."
While the school days have included considering the pilgrims' anticipation of a new world and their endurance on the challenging journey, my early mornings have been spent reading through family lines in 1 Chronicles and our evenings have included hours and hours of family home videos recently converted from VHS. The footage shows all of my grandparents, my mother-in-law, father-in-law and my Dad. All of them have all left this world and entered eternity with our Lord. The Bible readings of genealogies have been a tough slog, but our own family genealogy has been a passion of mine in previous decades. I created history books for each of our girls. With over a century of stories and individuals included in them, only my Mom is still living. The video clips of my heritage, including lots of Thanksgiving and Christmas memories, have reminded me that we are all pilgrims in this world. Granted, I'm a very spoiled and blessed pilgrim with no understanding the physical hardship of those traveling on the Mayflower, but I struggle each day with sin and spiritual attacks on my faith and I live in anticipation of a new world and my citizenship in heaven.
As I've read (and felt bogged down) in Kings and Chronicles, I've also been encouraged while reading through Hebrews.
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."..........
"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city." excerpts from Hebrews 11
For over a year, Kyle has been preaching through Revelation on Sunday mornings. We've covered dark and intense assaults on the people of God as pilgrims in this land. Teaching children's church has been a challenge to say the least. Tomorrow morning, we have the blessing of hearing a sermon from Revelation 22 where we will consider the end of the story and this new city of God. As a fellow pilgrim, I anticipate the new heaven and the new earth and joining loved ones who have gone before me in worship around the throne of God.
"The angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city....... No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever."
This week in kindergarten we covered the pilgrims' voyage to the new world, including their desire for religious freedom, the conditions of the ship (with just over 100 passengers for 66 days) and the storms and struggles during the journey. We simulated the dimensions of the Mayflower in the hallway and collected all 120 kindergarteners and 6 teachers to discuss living in close quarters for longer than our current days in school. We brought traveling "trunks" to class with just a handful of important items to help on the journey to America. In a five year old friendly way, we made it real and personal without making it too dark for them. They learned that half of the passengers died during that first harsh winter and that the trip across the ocean was very difficult. We wrote about what we would think or say if we were on the boat. Some of the responses included: "It is cold."..... "I feel sick.".... and "I do not like this ship. It is stinky and scary."
While the school days have included considering the pilgrims' anticipation of a new world and their endurance on the challenging journey, my early mornings have been spent reading through family lines in 1 Chronicles and our evenings have included hours and hours of family home videos recently converted from VHS. The footage shows all of my grandparents, my mother-in-law, father-in-law and my Dad. All of them have all left this world and entered eternity with our Lord. The Bible readings of genealogies have been a tough slog, but our own family genealogy has been a passion of mine in previous decades. I created history books for each of our girls. With over a century of stories and individuals included in them, only my Mom is still living. The video clips of my heritage, including lots of Thanksgiving and Christmas memories, have reminded me that we are all pilgrims in this world. Granted, I'm a very spoiled and blessed pilgrim with no understanding the physical hardship of those traveling on the Mayflower, but I struggle each day with sin and spiritual attacks on my faith and I live in anticipation of a new world and my citizenship in heaven.
As I've read (and felt bogged down) in Kings and Chronicles, I've also been encouraged while reading through Hebrews.
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."..........
"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city." excerpts from Hebrews 11
For over a year, Kyle has been preaching through Revelation on Sunday mornings. We've covered dark and intense assaults on the people of God as pilgrims in this land. Teaching children's church has been a challenge to say the least. Tomorrow morning, we have the blessing of hearing a sermon from Revelation 22 where we will consider the end of the story and this new city of God. As a fellow pilgrim, I anticipate the new heaven and the new earth and joining loved ones who have gone before me in worship around the throne of God.
"The angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city....... No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever."
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
The Dance
After a typically full day in the classroom, while driving home from school, one of my all time favorite songs played on the radio. Garth Brooks song, "The Dance", kicked me out of a tired post-work daze and took me back to my wedding day almost 19 years ago. Ouch!!! Dad and I danced to this song during our wedding reception. For nearly a year, music has been the most painful trigger, but the recent months have not included the daily flood of sad memories while driving to and from school. This unexpected, and now rare, moment got me to thinking about life and how it is somewhat like a "dance".
During this season of raising teenagers and teaching kindergarten, my dance moves are definitely ungraceful and anything but lovely. Weekly, even daily, I feel out of shape and uncoordinated, as if stepping on everyones' toes. I go to bed with regret and a long list of "should haves" and I wake each morning with humble and dependent prayers to the Lord. After dancing through the baby-toddler- stay-at home-Mom years with ballroom technique precision (still not graceful), I'm confronted with the teen-working-mom-years and becoming acquainted with my clumsy and frequently stumbling posture.
Thankfully, by God's gracious provision and His faithfulness, I'm learning to dance more gracefully during this season of parenting and teaching. My childhood years included hours and hours of training in ballet classes and the girls and I have enjoyed season tickets to Texas Ballet Theater over the last decade, so I'm aware that the delicate and seemingly effortless choreography of the ballet comes with most rigorous (and even painful) training.
As the piano beautifully closes Garth Brook's song (my favorite part), the lyrics include, "I could have missed the pain, but I'd have to miss the dance." This rings true for me and reminds me of the glorious gifts from God surrounding me each day. It is ironic how the role of mother and teacher includes helping others to learn and grow, yet most days I'm the one growing, learning and being shaped the most. By His tender hand and by the power of His Spirit, may He produce the fruit of the spirit in my life so that I may "dance" in the midst of life and among others with ever growing grace and mercy.
During this season of raising teenagers and teaching kindergarten, my dance moves are definitely ungraceful and anything but lovely. Weekly, even daily, I feel out of shape and uncoordinated, as if stepping on everyones' toes. I go to bed with regret and a long list of "should haves" and I wake each morning with humble and dependent prayers to the Lord. After dancing through the baby-toddler- stay-at home-Mom years with ballroom technique precision (still not graceful), I'm confronted with the teen-working-mom-years and becoming acquainted with my clumsy and frequently stumbling posture.
Thankfully, by God's gracious provision and His faithfulness, I'm learning to dance more gracefully during this season of parenting and teaching. My childhood years included hours and hours of training in ballet classes and the girls and I have enjoyed season tickets to Texas Ballet Theater over the last decade, so I'm aware that the delicate and seemingly effortless choreography of the ballet comes with most rigorous (and even painful) training.
As the piano beautifully closes Garth Brook's song (my favorite part), the lyrics include, "I could have missed the pain, but I'd have to miss the dance." This rings true for me and reminds me of the glorious gifts from God surrounding me each day. It is ironic how the role of mother and teacher includes helping others to learn and grow, yet most days I'm the one growing, learning and being shaped the most. By His tender hand and by the power of His Spirit, may He produce the fruit of the spirit in my life so that I may "dance" in the midst of life and among others with ever growing grace and mercy.
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