" those who have guided the people in the true path shall be like the stars for ever and ever." Daniel 12: 3 (CEB) http://CommonEnglishBible.com
I think of the very shy fifth grader I was teaching who suddenly jumped up, saying, "I am going to show you the true path and one that isn't." She put her arms against her sides, walking straight ahead, like a soldier, saying that was the true path. Getting into character, her arms were stretched out like airplane wings, her body making zigzags across the room. She said, "This is what happens when you don't stay on the straight path. Things go all over the place!" I loved it! She will always be a shining star!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
CONTINUAL PRAYER
"Persevere in prayer, with mind awake and thankful heart." Col 4:2 (CEB) http://CommonEnglishBible.com
"I give up," is frequently said, as arms and hands are raised, coming down with a slap on the upper leg, with a walking away in frustration. Silently, I have wanted to express out loud, "If only you would pray!" This is a lesson to me, to not stay silent, to say the importance of prayer;it will bring comfort. Without prayer, without God, there is a void. It can only be filled by spirituality and gratitude, coming from the heart.
"I give up," is frequently said, as arms and hands are raised, coming down with a slap on the upper leg, with a walking away in frustration. Silently, I have wanted to express out loud, "If only you would pray!" This is a lesson to me, to not stay silent, to say the importance of prayer;it will bring comfort. Without prayer, without God, there is a void. It can only be filled by spirituality and gratitude, coming from the heart.
WHEN WISDOM BEGINS
The true beginning of wisdom is the desire to learn.
Wisdom of Soloman 6:17 (CEB) http://CommonEnglishBible.com
Through the years, my now young adult children will express how they had made a mistake, how they had wished they had done something differently. I would tell them that I, too, wish I had responded in a different manner, but at the time, I did not know another way. It was the experience that taught me. Age also teaches us wisdom, as we gain knowledge through the years,looking at a concept in a differently. A desire to learn can never cease. In our elder years, we can learn from the younger generations, their minds young and fresh. In return, we share our experiences with them. The cycle of life never stops, as we learn and gain wisdom from one another.
Wisdom of Soloman 6:17 (CEB) http://CommonEnglishBible.com
Through the years, my now young adult children will express how they had made a mistake, how they had wished they had done something differently. I would tell them that I, too, wish I had responded in a different manner, but at the time, I did not know another way. It was the experience that taught me. Age also teaches us wisdom, as we gain knowledge through the years,looking at a concept in a differently. A desire to learn can never cease. In our elder years, we can learn from the younger generations, their minds young and fresh. In return, we share our experiences with them. The cycle of life never stops, as we learn and gain wisdom from one another.
SWITCHING THE CHANNEL
He will not dwell overmuch upon the passing years; for God fills his time with joy of heart." Ecclesiastes 5:20 (CEB)
Looking upon the past, we can look at the positive and negative aspects of life. So often, we tend turn to the part of life that did not go so well. It is part of human nature. Each time this happens, we might want to look at his verse, thinking how God fills his heart with joy. Switch the channel on the remote,from sadness to joy!
http://CommonEnglishBible.com
Looking upon the past, we can look at the positive and negative aspects of life. So often, we tend turn to the part of life that did not go so well. It is part of human nature. Each time this happens, we might want to look at his verse, thinking how God fills his heart with joy. Switch the channel on the remote,from sadness to joy!
http://CommonEnglishBible.com
NURTURE!!
Nurture your body, as God nurtures you. "This is true rest; let the exhausted have rest.” Is 28:12 (CEB)
I am guilty of not letting my body have rest. My mind, always racing, always wanting to take on one more thing. I loved all of it. Wisdom taught me how my body is a beautiful garden, created by God, just as the gardens in nature. Those in nature know how to thrive, staying beautiful and healthy, year after year. Our own bodies wither, never giving it rest. Changing our thinking that we can certainly do more is a tough task. A prayer to God, for peace and rest, is needed. Tend to your personal garden; let it thrive, don't stampede it with too many activities. God will be thankful you are taking care of his precious gift, that of life.
http://CommonEnglishBible
I am guilty of not letting my body have rest. My mind, always racing, always wanting to take on one more thing. I loved all of it. Wisdom taught me how my body is a beautiful garden, created by God, just as the gardens in nature. Those in nature know how to thrive, staying beautiful and healthy, year after year. Our own bodies wither, never giving it rest. Changing our thinking that we can certainly do more is a tough task. A prayer to God, for peace and rest, is needed. Tend to your personal garden; let it thrive, don't stampede it with too many activities. God will be thankful you are taking care of his precious gift, that of life.
http://CommonEnglishBible
IN THE DARK
In the dark, God's is there,sharing his eternal love. "Your light shall shine brightly to all the ends of the earth." Tobit13:1 (CEB)
As we think how wrong things are, it can become a domino effect, having ourselves go deeper into the darkness. While the dominos fall, let the light creep in between the spaces. God is there,no matter the scattered light. He will help you pick up all of the pieces.
http://CommonEnglishBible.com
As we think how wrong things are, it can become a domino effect, having ourselves go deeper into the darkness. While the dominos fall, let the light creep in between the spaces. God is there,no matter the scattered light. He will help you pick up all of the pieces.
http://CommonEnglishBible.com
STAYING TRUE
Stay true. "But truth too is great and stronger than all else. The whole earth calls on truth; the sky praises her." 1 Esdras 4:36
Monday, November 28, 2011
THE PERFECT SAIL
Go out into the sea of imagination. Bring God along as your co-captain, your spirit and soul as the passengers. How enlightened you will be at the end of your journey!
~Marie T. Morrison~
"Your canvas was linen, patterned linen from Egypt to make your sails; your awnings were violet and purple from the coasts of Elishah." Ezekiel 27:7 (CEB)
http:CommonEnglishBible.com
#CEBtour
~Marie T. Morrison~
"Your canvas was linen, patterned linen from Egypt to make your sails; your awnings were violet and purple from the coasts of Elishah." Ezekiel 27:7 (CEB)
http:CommonEnglishBible.com
#CEBtour
Sunday, November 27, 2011
My Bible Hobby
BLOG: My Bible Hobby
A hobby, according to Mirriam-Webster, is ‘a pursuit or interest engaged in for relaxation.’ My major hobby is reading. I love the book I am ‘engaged in,’ eager to learn about the characters, the scenes, the plot that develops, the conversations, the mindsets and the thoughts of the many personalities within the story. It is exciting for me to see how different authors present their own thoughts, beautifully written to making me laugh out loud. I find myself jotting down what they say. It is nice to look at my notes later, remembering the book and envisioning the scene, while once again crediting the author for such a descriptive blend of words.
At times, I compare a crisis to one in another book I had read, other times getting my scenes confused with a past story. I begin to think how fun it would be, for these authors to collaborate, to blend the people into scenes from both of their writings. It could be interesting to see how an author from the 18th century and one from the 20th, would write as a team, their periods of time so different in history.
Once I go into one of my ‘thinking,’ episodes, my mind opens up even more, this present time taking me into the periods of the Bible. Imagine someone from the Old Testament meeting someone from the New Testament! Yes, they would see prophesies come true, which could be mighty exciting! “A young woman is with child, and she will bear a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Is.7:14, CEB), while in Matthew 1:21 (CEB), we read, “She will bear a son; and you shall give him the name Jesus (Savior), for he will save his people from their sins.” I wonder what the response would be, what their eyes and faces would be saying to us, as they see Jesus in the manger, with Mary! Their tremendous sorrow, as he is crucified, would be unbearable, as it has been for us.
Joel 2: 30-31 (CEB) tells us, “I will show portents in the sky and on earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke; the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon in blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.” Turning to the NT, Acts 2:19-20 (CEB), “And I will show portents in the sky above, and signs on the earth below-blood and fire and drifting smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before that great resplendent day, the day of the Lord, shall come,” just as the prophet had said. How the OT and NT work together, hand in hand!
In Deuteronomy 18:15 (CEB), we hear, “The LORD your god will raise up a prophet from among you like myself, and you shall listen to him.” In Acts 3:22 (CEB), we are reminded what Moses said, “The LORD God will raise up a prophet for you among yourselves as he raised me; you shall listen to everything he says to you,..” We are constantly reminded how we are to listen to what is being said, whether we are in the OT or in the NT.
Proverbs 3:34 (CEB) teaches us “Though God himself meets the arrogant with arrogance, yet he bestows his favour on the meek,” while turning to James 44:6 (CEB), Thus Scripture says, “God opposes the arrogant and gives grace to the humble.” Humility is often taught to us, with these two similar verses, one from the Old Testament, and one from the New, to keep that arrogance at a distance, just in case we forget and tend to have it close at bay. 1Peter 5:5 (CEB) is right, there, too, “In the same s towards way you younger men must be subordinate to your elders. Indeed, all of you should wrap yourselves in the garment of humility towards each other, because God sets his face against the arrogant but favours the humble.”
We know God is always there to be our helper, told to us in Psalm 118:6-7 (CEB), “ The LORD is on my side, I have no fear; what can man do to me? The LORD is on my side, he is my helper, and I shall gloat over my enemies,” and in the NT, our help is there, our fear calmed, Hebrews 13:6 (NEB) “The LORD is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Proverbs 11:31 (CEB) allows us to find out what happens to godless sinners, “If the righteous in the land get their deserts, how much more the wicked man and the sinner!” 1 Peter 4:17-18 (CEB) And if it is starting with you, how will it end for those who refuse to obey the gospel of God? It is hard enough for the righteous to be save; what then will become of the impious and sinful?”
Finally, we know about the Garden of Eden, or the Garden of God, in the Old Testament, first in Genesis, but also in Ezekiel, 28:13, (CEB), “You were in an Eden, a garden of God, adorned with gems of every kind: sardine and chrysolite and jade, topaz, cornelian and green jasper, lapis lazuli, purple garnet and green feldspar. Your jingling beads were of gold, and the spangles you wore were made for you on the day of your birth,” and Ezekiel 31:9 (CEB) I, the LORD, gave it beauty with its mass of spreading boughs, the envy of all the trees in Eden, the Garden of God.” In Revelation 2:7 (CEB), we are still reading on the Garden of God, “To him who is victorious I will give the right to eat from the tree of life that stands in the Garden of God.” Can you imagine what Adam and Eve would be saying? The “right to eat?” Only for those ‘victorious!’
God is seeing that we do not forget! Though there are thousands of books in the world and thousands of authors, there is only one Bible and one author behind the Great Book, our God Almighty. Throughout, He is giving us many messages, including to love one another, to repent, to be humble, that Jesus is our Saviour, to be victorious.
This is the Book I always have with me, where I continue to write down more than any other what I want to remember. It is Scripture which carries me, “all the days of my life.” (Psalm 23: 6 CEB)
http://CommonEnglishBible.com
#CEBtour
A hobby, according to Mirriam-Webster, is ‘a pursuit or interest engaged in for relaxation.’ My major hobby is reading. I love the book I am ‘engaged in,’ eager to learn about the characters, the scenes, the plot that develops, the conversations, the mindsets and the thoughts of the many personalities within the story. It is exciting for me to see how different authors present their own thoughts, beautifully written to making me laugh out loud. I find myself jotting down what they say. It is nice to look at my notes later, remembering the book and envisioning the scene, while once again crediting the author for such a descriptive blend of words.
At times, I compare a crisis to one in another book I had read, other times getting my scenes confused with a past story. I begin to think how fun it would be, for these authors to collaborate, to blend the people into scenes from both of their writings. It could be interesting to see how an author from the 18th century and one from the 20th, would write as a team, their periods of time so different in history.
Once I go into one of my ‘thinking,’ episodes, my mind opens up even more, this present time taking me into the periods of the Bible. Imagine someone from the Old Testament meeting someone from the New Testament! Yes, they would see prophesies come true, which could be mighty exciting! “A young woman is with child, and she will bear a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Is.7:14, CEB), while in Matthew 1:21 (CEB), we read, “She will bear a son; and you shall give him the name Jesus (Savior), for he will save his people from their sins.” I wonder what the response would be, what their eyes and faces would be saying to us, as they see Jesus in the manger, with Mary! Their tremendous sorrow, as he is crucified, would be unbearable, as it has been for us.
Joel 2: 30-31 (CEB) tells us, “I will show portents in the sky and on earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke; the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon in blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.” Turning to the NT, Acts 2:19-20 (CEB), “And I will show portents in the sky above, and signs on the earth below-blood and fire and drifting smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before that great resplendent day, the day of the Lord, shall come,” just as the prophet had said. How the OT and NT work together, hand in hand!
In Deuteronomy 18:15 (CEB), we hear, “The LORD your god will raise up a prophet from among you like myself, and you shall listen to him.” In Acts 3:22 (CEB), we are reminded what Moses said, “The LORD God will raise up a prophet for you among yourselves as he raised me; you shall listen to everything he says to you,..” We are constantly reminded how we are to listen to what is being said, whether we are in the OT or in the NT.
Proverbs 3:34 (CEB) teaches us “Though God himself meets the arrogant with arrogance, yet he bestows his favour on the meek,” while turning to James 44:6 (CEB), Thus Scripture says, “God opposes the arrogant and gives grace to the humble.” Humility is often taught to us, with these two similar verses, one from the Old Testament, and one from the New, to keep that arrogance at a distance, just in case we forget and tend to have it close at bay. 1Peter 5:5 (CEB) is right, there, too, “In the same s towards way you younger men must be subordinate to your elders. Indeed, all of you should wrap yourselves in the garment of humility towards each other, because God sets his face against the arrogant but favours the humble.”
We know God is always there to be our helper, told to us in Psalm 118:6-7 (CEB), “ The LORD is on my side, I have no fear; what can man do to me? The LORD is on my side, he is my helper, and I shall gloat over my enemies,” and in the NT, our help is there, our fear calmed, Hebrews 13:6 (NEB) “The LORD is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Proverbs 11:31 (CEB) allows us to find out what happens to godless sinners, “If the righteous in the land get their deserts, how much more the wicked man and the sinner!” 1 Peter 4:17-18 (CEB) And if it is starting with you, how will it end for those who refuse to obey the gospel of God? It is hard enough for the righteous to be save; what then will become of the impious and sinful?”
Finally, we know about the Garden of Eden, or the Garden of God, in the Old Testament, first in Genesis, but also in Ezekiel, 28:13, (CEB), “You were in an Eden, a garden of God, adorned with gems of every kind: sardine and chrysolite and jade, topaz, cornelian and green jasper, lapis lazuli, purple garnet and green feldspar. Your jingling beads were of gold, and the spangles you wore were made for you on the day of your birth,” and Ezekiel 31:9 (CEB) I, the LORD, gave it beauty with its mass of spreading boughs, the envy of all the trees in Eden, the Garden of God.” In Revelation 2:7 (CEB), we are still reading on the Garden of God, “To him who is victorious I will give the right to eat from the tree of life that stands in the Garden of God.” Can you imagine what Adam and Eve would be saying? The “right to eat?” Only for those ‘victorious!’
God is seeing that we do not forget! Though there are thousands of books in the world and thousands of authors, there is only one Bible and one author behind the Great Book, our God Almighty. Throughout, He is giving us many messages, including to love one another, to repent, to be humble, that Jesus is our Saviour, to be victorious.
This is the Book I always have with me, where I continue to write down more than any other what I want to remember. It is Scripture which carries me, “all the days of my life.” (Psalm 23: 6 CEB)
http://CommonEnglishBible.com
#CEBtour
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
THE CHILD WHO RAN AWAY
It was a cold winter morning the day I was assigned playground duty. The dirt playground was now a mixture of slush, mud puddles and gooey mud. Children love days like this, to get out there and run off the built up energy in the brisk air after sitting all morning. Teachers are thinking of sipping a warm cup of tea and how squishing through a muddy schoolyard was not part of the curriculum in their college education, much less of putting up with a classroom filled with dirt and mud at the end of each recess.
My small class of eight boys, ages eight through twelve, have bundled up in parkas, hats, mittens, scarves and boots, ready to burst out the portable classroom door to hit the blast of cold air. I follow, wearing my warm gear, a gray wool coat past my knees, a rose-colored knit scarf wrapped three times around my neck and most of my face, a matching knit hat I’ve shoved down to cover the forehead, cozy gloves and boots up past my knees, thick wool socks underneath. I know those cold temperatures chill me to the bone as I wander the yard, waving to fellow teachers in their assigned areas.
Snuggled in my warmth, watching and hearing joyous children at play, I felt a little nudging on my elbow. Standing there was a little girl about the age of eight. She reminded me of a waif, so slight she was. I did not remember seeing her before, thinking she must be a new student at the school. She was wearing lime green thin cotton pants, not even reaching her ankles, threadbare. On her feet were rubber galoshes, a dirty shade of orange. She had on a coat that would hardly be warm on a late summer evening. There was no hat covering her red-orange hair, cut unevenly and barely combed. She pointed down to her clothes, where I saw she was drenched, mud splatters everywhere, even reaching her jacket, soaking through. As my eyes grew wide, expressing shock and sorrow, she said a group of kids had come over to where she was standing, jumping in the puddles nearby. They were laughing as they did this to her.
Just then, the recess bell ring to go back to class. I took this timid child with me into my classroom, a portable building at the edge of the playground. In my closet, I had an abundance of spare clothes I was often handing out to my own students. I did have clothes her size, a warm white turtleneck and a pair of blue jeans that would fit her well. Handing them to her, I told her she could change in the restroom, getting nice and warm in something new. Her precious eyes looked at me longingly, her not saying a word. Looking back at them and her freckled cheeks, I asked her if she wanted me to help her change her clothes; she nodded a yes to me.
I turned to my class of boys, to whom I taught long ago to always respect everyone and everything, my number one rule of the classroom. They had not uttered a word as they watched this transaction, not making a move in their desks, forgetting their happy banter which usually followed every recess break. It was as if they knew something was not right for this sweet child. I gently asked them to put ‘their foreheads on their forearms,’ not looking up until I said it was okay to do so. I almost wanted to cry at how good they were. Forgotten were the rough boy moments. Not once did they look up as I took the wet clothes off of this simple soul of God’s, nor did they make a sound, not even a shuffle.
I pulled off her too big galoshes only to find out she had on no socks. Pulling off the wet trousers, I saw she had on no underwear. Neither one of us shared a word, working in silence. Though I had socks, I had never thought of keeping undergarments in my cupboard. My heart was breaking, though my face held a warm and loving smile, as she took in the moment of having something warm to wear. Quietly, I told her that after lunch, I would have some special underclothes for her too, that I would call her out of class. She gave me one last smile and said a quiet ‘okay.’ I watched her go, walking across the playground in her dirty orange galoshes, back to her class, a tiny piece of innocence out there in a large world not always filled with love and compassion.
As my students looked up, they did not ask one question about what just happened. I was proud of them, saying a silent prayer to God for these rich gifts right in front of me. What wealth, to have a classroom full of God’s glory, eight sets of bright, dark brown eyes, looking out at me, ready to learn their next lesson. We all knew the silent lesson they had just been part of was a powerful one, no words needed to be expressed.
Running to the store during my lunch break, I picked up this fragile little one from her classroom so she could add the one needed item to her new wardrobe. As I helped her dress, I asked her if she had any brothers or sisters at the school. She said she did, telling me the ages of the three other siblings. We continued to visit, me learning that they just started this new school the day before. It being a Friday afternoon, I told her that by Monday, I would have all kinds of new clothes for her family. Having generous neighbors, I knew I would have several bags to give her parents, as well as some stuffed animals, school supplies and a game or two.
She told me she would be gone by then. Her mom, brothers and sister were running away from her dad. She was staying at the shelter for battered women across the street, her dad finding out where they were. He had called the school, saying he was driving to our town now, planning to kill the family. They were leaving at midnight, before he reached where she was; they could reach the next shelter by the time there would be an open beds. A hotline at the present shelter told them where they could go next.
Speaking to me in an even and polite tone, I could see this was the only life she has ever known. She literally ran away from where she had been with the clothes on her back, before her angry dad hurt her and anyone in the family. This was a life I knew nothing about. There was an unmarked building housing battered women across the street, but that was the extent of my knowledge. That building now had a personality to it, as behind it walls were people with fears and anxiety, but also hope.
How blessed and thankful I am, for my clothes, my shoes, even my undergarments. Growing up, I had the same home and bed at the end of the day, never wondering if my parent is going to harm me after he finds me, or who will bully me at my next new school because of how I looked. There was no needed hotline to follow, saying where I could possibly be safe.
This being Thanksgiving, it is truly a time to show gratitude for everything we have been given in life. It is a time to praise God for the blessings we have received. It is a time for us to do as God has asked us, to love one another. We need to reach out and feed the hungry, clothe the poor and provide them with shelter. We need to make time to do something for others. Thanksgiving is the start of a whole new season where we can reach into our pockets to give to the homeless shelters, tutor someone in math, read the paper to those with poor eye sight at a nursing room or begin a jigsaw puzzle with them, as they tell you a story of their past. Realize how Bible Scripture is there to show us how we are to go out and serve others, verse after verse, story after story.
It is a time to share our faith, hope and love through these actions we take. We must constantly pray for our brethren, never stopping at giving charity that will bring them the hope to know God is always there, even in those scary and devastating moments. It is a time to remember we are all brought into one body by baptism in the One Spirit, and that one Holy Spirit was poured out for all of us to drink.
Referring to these pieces of Scripture in the (CEB) is the perfect place to begin seeing how to be there for others. Picture the innocent soul God sent my way, giving me a lesson in humility, on what happens when you have endurance, how you can always be there to help someone, even if it is to look away out of respect, just as my students did. To reach out your warm hands, to let them feel a moment of love and peace, can carry them for a long time. Do find out what is behind that building set up to serve others. No longer only drive by. Find your place to park to begin your ministry of gratitude. You will soon see how you are the student, learning from the wise, even if they are as young as 8, telling you how they run away from the hurt in their lives.
Genesis 31:13- God’s wealth belonging to our children
Matthew 7:12 Golden Rule, Loving One Another as the Lord loves us
Ecclesiastes 3:3-8 A Time for Everything
2Thessalonians 2:15-17 Finding peace at all times through our Lord
1 Corinthians 12:13 Brought into one body by Baptism, sharing the Spiritual Drink
Romans 5:5-8 Hope & Endurance
Corinthians13:13 Faith, Hope & Love
Sirach7:10 Do not neglect praying or the giving of charity
Eph 4:2; Luke 14:7 Humility
(CEB)
http://CommonEnglishBible.com
May you feel God’s blessings as He shares his thank you for being there to serve others. I, too, extend my personal gratitude and appreciation for you bringing warmth, in many ways, to those less fortunate. What you will perform will bring more happiness than you will ever know.
My small class of eight boys, ages eight through twelve, have bundled up in parkas, hats, mittens, scarves and boots, ready to burst out the portable classroom door to hit the blast of cold air. I follow, wearing my warm gear, a gray wool coat past my knees, a rose-colored knit scarf wrapped three times around my neck and most of my face, a matching knit hat I’ve shoved down to cover the forehead, cozy gloves and boots up past my knees, thick wool socks underneath. I know those cold temperatures chill me to the bone as I wander the yard, waving to fellow teachers in their assigned areas.
Snuggled in my warmth, watching and hearing joyous children at play, I felt a little nudging on my elbow. Standing there was a little girl about the age of eight. She reminded me of a waif, so slight she was. I did not remember seeing her before, thinking she must be a new student at the school. She was wearing lime green thin cotton pants, not even reaching her ankles, threadbare. On her feet were rubber galoshes, a dirty shade of orange. She had on a coat that would hardly be warm on a late summer evening. There was no hat covering her red-orange hair, cut unevenly and barely combed. She pointed down to her clothes, where I saw she was drenched, mud splatters everywhere, even reaching her jacket, soaking through. As my eyes grew wide, expressing shock and sorrow, she said a group of kids had come over to where she was standing, jumping in the puddles nearby. They were laughing as they did this to her.
Just then, the recess bell ring to go back to class. I took this timid child with me into my classroom, a portable building at the edge of the playground. In my closet, I had an abundance of spare clothes I was often handing out to my own students. I did have clothes her size, a warm white turtleneck and a pair of blue jeans that would fit her well. Handing them to her, I told her she could change in the restroom, getting nice and warm in something new. Her precious eyes looked at me longingly, her not saying a word. Looking back at them and her freckled cheeks, I asked her if she wanted me to help her change her clothes; she nodded a yes to me.
I turned to my class of boys, to whom I taught long ago to always respect everyone and everything, my number one rule of the classroom. They had not uttered a word as they watched this transaction, not making a move in their desks, forgetting their happy banter which usually followed every recess break. It was as if they knew something was not right for this sweet child. I gently asked them to put ‘their foreheads on their forearms,’ not looking up until I said it was okay to do so. I almost wanted to cry at how good they were. Forgotten were the rough boy moments. Not once did they look up as I took the wet clothes off of this simple soul of God’s, nor did they make a sound, not even a shuffle.
I pulled off her too big galoshes only to find out she had on no socks. Pulling off the wet trousers, I saw she had on no underwear. Neither one of us shared a word, working in silence. Though I had socks, I had never thought of keeping undergarments in my cupboard. My heart was breaking, though my face held a warm and loving smile, as she took in the moment of having something warm to wear. Quietly, I told her that after lunch, I would have some special underclothes for her too, that I would call her out of class. She gave me one last smile and said a quiet ‘okay.’ I watched her go, walking across the playground in her dirty orange galoshes, back to her class, a tiny piece of innocence out there in a large world not always filled with love and compassion.
As my students looked up, they did not ask one question about what just happened. I was proud of them, saying a silent prayer to God for these rich gifts right in front of me. What wealth, to have a classroom full of God’s glory, eight sets of bright, dark brown eyes, looking out at me, ready to learn their next lesson. We all knew the silent lesson they had just been part of was a powerful one, no words needed to be expressed.
Running to the store during my lunch break, I picked up this fragile little one from her classroom so she could add the one needed item to her new wardrobe. As I helped her dress, I asked her if she had any brothers or sisters at the school. She said she did, telling me the ages of the three other siblings. We continued to visit, me learning that they just started this new school the day before. It being a Friday afternoon, I told her that by Monday, I would have all kinds of new clothes for her family. Having generous neighbors, I knew I would have several bags to give her parents, as well as some stuffed animals, school supplies and a game or two.
She told me she would be gone by then. Her mom, brothers and sister were running away from her dad. She was staying at the shelter for battered women across the street, her dad finding out where they were. He had called the school, saying he was driving to our town now, planning to kill the family. They were leaving at midnight, before he reached where she was; they could reach the next shelter by the time there would be an open beds. A hotline at the present shelter told them where they could go next.
Speaking to me in an even and polite tone, I could see this was the only life she has ever known. She literally ran away from where she had been with the clothes on her back, before her angry dad hurt her and anyone in the family. This was a life I knew nothing about. There was an unmarked building housing battered women across the street, but that was the extent of my knowledge. That building now had a personality to it, as behind it walls were people with fears and anxiety, but also hope.
How blessed and thankful I am, for my clothes, my shoes, even my undergarments. Growing up, I had the same home and bed at the end of the day, never wondering if my parent is going to harm me after he finds me, or who will bully me at my next new school because of how I looked. There was no needed hotline to follow, saying where I could possibly be safe.
This being Thanksgiving, it is truly a time to show gratitude for everything we have been given in life. It is a time to praise God for the blessings we have received. It is a time for us to do as God has asked us, to love one another. We need to reach out and feed the hungry, clothe the poor and provide them with shelter. We need to make time to do something for others. Thanksgiving is the start of a whole new season where we can reach into our pockets to give to the homeless shelters, tutor someone in math, read the paper to those with poor eye sight at a nursing room or begin a jigsaw puzzle with them, as they tell you a story of their past. Realize how Bible Scripture is there to show us how we are to go out and serve others, verse after verse, story after story.
It is a time to share our faith, hope and love through these actions we take. We must constantly pray for our brethren, never stopping at giving charity that will bring them the hope to know God is always there, even in those scary and devastating moments. It is a time to remember we are all brought into one body by baptism in the One Spirit, and that one Holy Spirit was poured out for all of us to drink.
Referring to these pieces of Scripture in the (CEB) is the perfect place to begin seeing how to be there for others. Picture the innocent soul God sent my way, giving me a lesson in humility, on what happens when you have endurance, how you can always be there to help someone, even if it is to look away out of respect, just as my students did. To reach out your warm hands, to let them feel a moment of love and peace, can carry them for a long time. Do find out what is behind that building set up to serve others. No longer only drive by. Find your place to park to begin your ministry of gratitude. You will soon see how you are the student, learning from the wise, even if they are as young as 8, telling you how they run away from the hurt in their lives.
Genesis 31:13- God’s wealth belonging to our children
Matthew 7:12 Golden Rule, Loving One Another as the Lord loves us
Ecclesiastes 3:3-8 A Time for Everything
2Thessalonians 2:15-17 Finding peace at all times through our Lord
1 Corinthians 12:13 Brought into one body by Baptism, sharing the Spiritual Drink
Romans 5:5-8 Hope & Endurance
Corinthians13:13 Faith, Hope & Love
Sirach7:10 Do not neglect praying or the giving of charity
Eph 4:2; Luke 14:7 Humility
(CEB)
http://CommonEnglishBible.com
May you feel God’s blessings as He shares his thank you for being there to serve others. I, too, extend my personal gratitude and appreciation for you bringing warmth, in many ways, to those less fortunate. What you will perform will bring more happiness than you will ever know.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
A WONDROUS LIGHT
Spirituality can add a light to each of us. It is surrounding us, even in our darkest moments. Perhaps it seems to only be a flicker, as a candle darts its light inside a carved pumpkin during our Autumn season at Thanksgiving. But, it never goes out.
Just as that candle is especially bright within the harvested pumpkin, the light of the Spirit is glowing brightly within us. We, too, are being nourished to be gleaned one day, for a new life, an eternity with God. Those who have gone before us never stopped receiving this wondrous light. Now, they live in exquisite brightness, as they have joined our Trinitarian God, where the glow is beyond anything we can describe. Our loved ones are being kept warm at at peace, basking in the light or our glorious Lord.
"Your word is a lamp before my feet and a light for my journey."
Psalm 119:105 (CEB)
"You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can't be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you can do and praise your Father who is in heaven."
Matt 5:14-16 (CEB)
"Within you is the spring of life. In your light, we see light."
Psalm 36:9
http://CommonEnglishBible.com
Just as that candle is especially bright within the harvested pumpkin, the light of the Spirit is glowing brightly within us. We, too, are being nourished to be gleaned one day, for a new life, an eternity with God. Those who have gone before us never stopped receiving this wondrous light. Now, they live in exquisite brightness, as they have joined our Trinitarian God, where the glow is beyond anything we can describe. Our loved ones are being kept warm at at peace, basking in the light or our glorious Lord.
"Your word is a lamp before my feet and a light for my journey."
Psalm 119:105 (CEB)
"You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can't be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you can do and praise your Father who is in heaven."
Matt 5:14-16 (CEB)
"Within you is the spring of life. In your light, we see light."
Psalm 36:9
http://CommonEnglishBible.com
Sunday, November 20, 2011
HOPE
HOPE
H elp is given, wanting to reach your heart.
O mnipresent is the Holy Spirit, filling your soul with love and care.
P erpetual prayers are said by our brethren, keeping you safe from the storm.
E ncouragement comes from God's hands, as He holds you tight.
~Marie T. Morrison~
"But not only that! We even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. this hope doesn't put us to shame, because the love of Gad has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5 (CEB)
http://CommonEnglishBible.com
H elp is given, wanting to reach your heart.
O mnipresent is the Holy Spirit, filling your soul with love and care.
P erpetual prayers are said by our brethren, keeping you safe from the storm.
E ncouragement comes from God's hands, as He holds you tight.
~Marie T. Morrison~
"But not only that! We even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. this hope doesn't put us to shame, because the love of Gad has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5 (CEB)
http://CommonEnglishBible.com
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)