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Fan the Flame
The embers flick about, tossed about by the breeze. The fire slowly dies out as the ashen logs deteriorate. Before long, only a shadow of the former fire remains. Blow on the fire and it strengthens. What almost dies out comes back to life. With adequate fuel, the oxygen brings vibrancy back to the flames. Our Christian walk is similar. In 2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV) the apostle Paul addresses Timothy, a young pastor: “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Timothy has a gift from God. What particular gift, we do not…
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That’s Not My Problem
Over the years I have always had a contingent of students in my classroom with a strong ability to care for others. These children are quick to notice when someone else needs help. They are more in touch with what is going on with other students in the class. Their ability to reach outside of themselves is a gift. This gift often comes with a price, however. Frequently, these students spend an inordinate amount of time looking to the needs of others, and they don’t get what they themselves need to have done completed. Sometimes, they are borderline nosy – wanting to get in on any conversation or interaction that…
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Absolute Joy
A little girl stands at the top of a hill. All around her are children, filled with glee as they go racing down through the snow with their sleds. She is uncertain. It is all so strange to her. Only weeks ago, she was in the hot, arid climate of Africa. She has had to adjust to many things since her move to our country. Our cold winter is a shock to her. Her experience with snow is limited and sledding is a large unknown. One of the staff on outside recess supervision approaches her with a sled. I can see the discussion and the sign language as the…
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Look at Me
“Teacher, teacher, watch me do this.” I hear this comment multiple times in my teaching week, particularly on the playground. As students think they have mastered a new skill, they want to share that with me. It validates them in their minds. It helps them stand out in the myriad of students outside and gain that prized teacher’s attention. As we all do, these students want to matter and feel that have something special to contribute to school life. This need for validation seeps into adulthood as well. I know I often have done things for the “show” factor. I want people to see that I am smart or organized…
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The Right Start
The morning rush exhausts me at times. My to do list is great as I prepare for my long commute to school. I need a proper breakfast to nourish me through the morning. Lunch needs to be prepared and my tea mug filled. I have papers to gather and school bags to fill and so on. It is very easy to get caught up in the flurry of activity and feel rushed and overwhelmed with all that needs doing before I head out the door. I cannot easily come home for things forgotten and so the pressure is on to be totally ready for my day. In times past, I…
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Consumed
Reports are due. Training needs completing. Students require assistance on many fronts. New school division strategies must be implemented. Meetings to attend. Massive emails to read. Students need counselling and observation. I could make a very long list about what needs to be done in my teaching week. Just when I think I have scaled one mountain, there are four more on the horizon. I find myself unable to keep up with everything and so what is my solution – long hours to try to fit it all in. It is now the weekend and the pile of work I brought home stares me in the face, taunting me…
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The Power Source
As I enjoy a leisurely breakfast I contemplate recent changes. For almost two years now, I have been able to enjoy a relaxed morning as I have been teaching from home in an online school. No long commutes. No making bag lunches. No long hours of preparation. I merely got myself ready and headed to my home office. I no longer have the freedom to go out for walks whenever I need a break. I miss time spent in my garden and enjoying the flora and fauna of my lovely country home throughout the day. I no longer have those precious early morning weekday hours to study and write.…
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Why
It’s a favourite toddler question. Why do I need to go bed? Why do birds fly? Why are apples red? Our young ones can find more “why” questions than we can ever imagine. It is their way of making sense of the world. Their inquisitive minds absorb incredible amounts of information in those early years. We are built to want to know the why of things. In our quest to gain the knowledge of the world, we want to know how things work and why things are as they are. Our human minds want to make sense of things and understand their purpose. The urge to know why has led…
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An Undivided Heart
Back in the days when my twins were toddlers our life was hectic. One of my biggest challenges was keeping up with two active little people who each had minds of their own. Inevitably, we would go outside and each of them would take off after their own pursuits. My heart was divided – which twin do I chase after? It agonized me at times to think that, while I was getting one child to safety, the other might be getting into serious trouble. The conflict in my mind was great. I felt so much easier when I had the two of them inside, in a single safe confined location.…
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Thanksgiving
For me, this year has been a journey through many hills and valleys. Through it all I have been overwhelmed at God’s loving hand through each and every step. While I don’t understand all the God has allowed in my life, I am truly thankful for His grace and mercy that have seen me through and for His miraculous hand bringing about healing and restoration. It is a year where I can truly agree with Billy Graham’s words: “Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.” While going through challenges this year I wondered if I would ever gain strength to get out of…
