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The Key to Success
As I watch the eager faces of my students, I am amazed at how much they can absorb at their young age. They are drinking in so many things. As I plan lessons for them, I realize that there is so much for them to learn. How do I possibly teach it all? In reality, I don’t teach it all. School can’t possibly instruct students in all they need to know about the world. So, what is my purpose as their teacher? The biggest thing I can do for my students is give them tools to inquire, to think through situations, to problem solve, to explore, and to seek out…
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Where is Your Light Shining?
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 NASB) I have read this particular Scripture verse many times. I nod and go – yes, I need to shine a light for Jesus and I do try. But what does that truly entail? What is God really asking of…
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My Time is in Your Hands
In a recent Bible reading I was drawn to these particular verses: “But I trust in You, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God. My times are in Your hands’; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let Your face shine on Your servant; save me in Your unfailing love.” (Psalm 31:14-16 NIV) There is so much to unpack in these words. But first, why is this topic on my mind so much at this time? My niece spoke of time passing fast in her last days. She knew her cancer was progressing; but it amazed her how quickly the changes seemed to come. One…
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What Should We Be Looking At?
Have you ever felt invisible? It doesn’t feel great. It conjures up emotions of unworthiness and insignificance. Neither of these is desirable or healthy. The culture of the world today values those who are strong and smart, wealthy and influential. Who gets noticed in the media… the rich, the famous, the well dressed, the athletic, and so on. Often, if we don’t meet up to these unrealistic expectations of value, we feel unworthy and less important. We strive to be something we are not, in the hopes of being recognized. Even in the time of King David, appearances sometimes took precedence. Samuel had been given the task to anoint the…
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Rest Secure
As I write this, I am in my last few days of Christmas school break. My husband is working away from home and so my place is quiet. I am free to do what I want, when I want. I need to take advantage of these days. Very shortly I will be back to full days of school, planning, and commuting. In thinking about what I want 2024 to look like, I am trying to consider how I can get more time allocated to non-school things. Teaching is not an easy profession right now with many diverse needs in each classroom and things like curriculum updates and new methodologies to…
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Where is Our Constant?
Recently my husband and I returned to a spot that holds special memories for us. It was lovely to see the same sights and relive some of the pleasant moments we had enjoyed there. The hard thing about revisiting this spot was in seeing a number of changes. The place we had seen in the past was aglow with lights of all sorts. It was like walking through a fairyland. Not so this time. There were some lights and a sparse number of decorations, but that was all. Sadly, things do change. We see change all around us. As we begin a new year, it is often with the thoughts…
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All Things New
As another new year begins, our thoughts frequently fill with ideas of how we can improve ourselves or make our living situation better in the upcoming year. Have you made any new year’s resolutions yet? These resolutions are so easy to make, but also so easy to break. We have lofty ideas of what we can accomplish, but reality floods in and our best intentions get carried away on a rushing stream of busyness and forgetfulness. As we ponder what our year will hold, we often look at our own shortcomings. These flaws, whether large or small, seem glaring to us. Frequently we cannot see our lives as being okay…
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It’s Time for Opportunities
It is one of those autumns where I wonder where the days went. How can we already be into December? I find it even harder to get my mind in gear for December activities as we don’t yet have any snow – a rarity in my prairie area. As I sit and consider what I need to do with my students for the last three weeks before Christmas break my head is in a whirl. My calendar is already filled with numerous events and I still have curriculum to teach as well. It is a juggling act to balance all that needs to be done. Christmas celebrations are important; but…
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Catch Me if You Can
When my youngest daughter was a toddler and just learning to talk, she often used the words “catch you” when we were at the park. What she actually meant was – Will you catch me? But she was repeating my words where I assured her that I would “catch you” when she came down the slide. She was reluctant to try things like slides, but her uncertainties were dismissed when she knew for sure that I would be there for her and that she was safe. It is interesting how things changed when she knew that she had a safety net. Before I knew it, she was giggling as she…
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Where is the Joy?
As we venture closer to the Christmas season there are many representations of the concept of joy. The world likes to present joy as having all the stuff you want and celebrating with the people you want. If you have just the right gifts or the perfect table setting, then you will be happy. If your house has that perfect Christmas decorations, then all will be well. Christian joy is another matter. As believers, our joy is not centered on ourselves, but on Christ, the Author and Perfector of our faith. It is a celebration of all that God has done for us and all He continues to work in…
