The long weekend has ended, signaling to students, parents and school staff the start of the final countdown to the end of the school year (just twenty-four work days, plus one workshop day for me … and, for the record, I have NOT been counting days until now … I DO have the ability to practice self-control).
From now on, as each day dawns, our thoughts and dreams will be of sunshine, BBQ’s, beaches, campgrounds, hikes, bike rides, swimming and sitting around a fire pit looking up at the stars and across to the ones we love. We will be focusing our anticipation on friends, family and free time!
It will be difficult to keep focused on the days at hand when the future is so bright we gotta wear shades.
Yet, there is still so much to do.
There are end of year assignments, tests, exams, graduations, parties and farewells, for the students. There are vacation plans, spring gardening, kids schedules to manage, spring sports to taxi to, and encouragement to offer those students, for the parents.
There are curricular goals to achieve, marking to complete, exams to prepare, students to prepare for exams, exams to mark, report cards to prepare, meetings to be had, farewells and parties, then the final clean up for the school staff.
But, but …
the sun is shining,
the daylight stays longer,
we just want summer
NOW!
As eager as we all are for all that summer may for each of us, we have a work to complete, and we must keep our focus on finishing it with eager willingness to complete it well.
“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness
to it it may be matched by your completion of it,
according to your means.”
2 Corinthians 8:11
“This is Shrek the sheep. He became famous several years ago when he was found after hiding out in caves for six years. Of course, during this time his fleece grew without anyone there to shorn (shave) it. When he was finally found and shaved, his fleece weighed an amazing sixty pounds. Most sheep have a fleece weighing just under ten pounds, with the exception usually reaching fifteen pounds, maximum. For six years, Shrek carried six times the regular weight of his fleece. Simply because he was away from his shepherd.
This reminds me of John 10 when Jesus compares Himself to a shepherd, and His followers are His sheep. Maybe it’s a stretch, but I think Shrek is much like a person who knows Jesus Christ but has wandered. If we avoid Christ’s constant refining of our character, we’re going to accumulate extra weight in this world—a weight we don’t have to bear.
When Shrek was found, a professional sheep shearer took care of Shrek’s fleece in twenty-eight minutes. Shrek’s sixty pound fleece was finally removed. All it took was coming home to his shepherd.
I believe Christ can lift the burdens we carry, if only we stop hiding. He can shave off our ‘fleece’—that is, our self-imposed burdens brought about by wandering from our Good Shepherd.
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30"
So much confidence, so much assurance and security can be achieved by having a plan that is in case of emergency.
Having:
an escape plan, in case of a fire
a box of goods, in case of an earthquake
a back-up home for your kids to go to, in case you are not home
life, house, and medical insurance, in case you have need for financial assistance
all help to provide such confidence, assurance and security.
What about prayer? Is it your in case of emergency plan?
Cheryl Zelenka, in her post, Is Prayer Your Spare Tire, would seem to think that prayer should be our steering wheel, not our spare tire, always on hand in case of emergency.
The following is her post, from her blog, Facing Trials :
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8 (NKJV)
“For this is God,Our God forever and ever;He will be our guideEven to death.” Psalm 48:14 (NKJV)
“Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?
So what did Corrie ten Boom mean when she wrote these words?
While you are in prayer, do you take time to listen for instructions? One of the ingredients to prayer is listening to the voice of God. By listening during your prayer time, you will find guidance given by the Holy Spirit. Directions will be sent your way so that you can navigate and steer your spiritual wheel in the way God wants you to go.
Now if prayer is your spare tire, it probably means you pray ONLY when you get a flat and need God’s assistance. Making petitions of God is never a bad idea. He will always listen to sincere prayers of repentance and requests for help. Lovingly, He will direct you out of your trouble.
However, wouldn’t it be better to learn ways to avoid repeated pitfalls or flat tires? This requires a listening heart and an agreement to not only hear His instructions, but to receive them with an intent to carry them out.
Why not decide today to make prayer your steering wheel in life?”
It is the middle of May, and the Victoria Day long weekend where I live. Summer is truly just around the corner!
With all that in mind, it was not surprising to me that the most viewed post this week is called If You Could Vacation Anywhere. Our thoughts are on that most delightful change from the everyday, opportunities to do different things, times with family and friends without the hindrances of alarms going off in the mornings.
A friend shared a new worship song she had discovered this week, and as I listened I shared her enjoyment.
David Crowder is an musician whose musical style is both folksy and electronic. When you see him, you could easily mistake him for a farmer who you might see at the local diner every morning hanging out with ‘the boys’.
For me, his craft of music making was revealed through the song “How He Loves,” a worship song that reminds us of how very precious we, the children of God, are to the Creator of the universe and all who inhabit.
In this latest record, called Neon Steeple, Crowder describes the style of music as “porch meets computer.”
The initial release, “I Am” was a song Crowder wrote with Ed Cash (a great name in music writing and production). Crowder wanted “I Am” to communicate how very amazing it is that we have access to, and are pursued by God, the Creator of all, who is in all.
Sometimes we take that access for granted, and do not give it, or God their due attention. We have the most amazing opportunity to have personal access to the Sovereign of all Earthly sovereigns.
The other day at work, a friend asked about my plans this summer. I paused, because, at this moment I have no plans.
My kids, they have plans.
One is spending her summer working at a camp for families dealing with cancer.
One is spending about half the summer on work crew at a camp, doing everything from scrubbing toilets to working on a camp radio station.
One is working part of the time and volunteering at a camp as a helper to kids attending who might have special needs.
Hubby and I felt that with the kids away throughout the summer … well … it means we get to experience vacationing at home … no taxiing kids, no groups over, no video games blaring … you get the point.
Also this week a student asked me,
“If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go?”
There was not a pause in my thoughts, as I replied,
“Cannon Beach, Oregon.”
Our family, or parts of it, have spent a week at Cannon Beach, Oregon, for the past five or six summers. Each time we enjoyed a week at Cannon Beach Christian Conference Center. The families who we have met there have become dear friends, who we get to re-unite with the same week each summer. Our kids communicate with their friends from there, as well. The conference center has thought of every detail offering two amazing meals each day, youth group like activities every morning and evening for kids up to college, world renowned speakers, and a 2-5 minute commute to the beach … just a 20-30 minute walk to Haystack Rock.
Although we have yet to make plans, the presence of the morning sun, the warming temperatures and the end of the school year keep whispering into my ears,
Yesterday I invigilated (love that word … it sounds so important!) a test for a student.
This young man and I have spent a number of days, after school, closed up in an office or classroom, this school year. Each time it was so that he could write a math test, which I invigilated (love having yet another opportunity to use that word).
I have to say, in the beginning I thought this was a little over-eager-beaver. I mean, really, what’s the hurry? Why work on a math course that is designed for the grade above this young man? What reason, what benefit could possibly be worth the tutor, the home work and the invigilator (three for three!)?
But, now I get it!
And I do not just get it, but I’ve gotta say, I respect the reason that this school year of insanity was all about.
This young man is bright academically, quite bright. He is one who would be led, and who would choose, the more academically challenging courses.
He is also a creative young man, and although he can clearly do the tougher academic courses, his soul longs to create, to build and to fix things. He loves woodworking and automotive technologies.
If he were to do his math coursework next year, as it is designed, he would have a schedule full of academic courses. This would help him to achieve his scholarly goals, but it would fail to nurture his hands-on passions.
So, this young man chose to have a year of tutors, of extra homework, and an invigilator (who is so happy to use that word), in exchange for time in his schedule for sanity in the shop next school year.
His choice, and his family’s support of it, reminded me of how often we discourage the bright academic students from taking classes and courses such as Drama, Textiles, Cooking, Woodworking, Automotive, etc. We rationalize that if they can do the tough course work, they should not waste their time on the hands-on courses.
But, the trades are not for the ‘dummies’. Like Calculus, English Lit., and Physics they too are areas of study that lead people to fulfill their passions … the same passions that God himself has called us to fulfill, as if for Him.
I wonder how many bored academics we have sitting in our classrooms?
My family knows, much to hubby’s chagrin (since he discovered online movies that can be watched at home) that I LOVE to go to the theater to watch movies. I love the popcorn, I love the dark, I love the laughter of strangers all around me, I love that the seats are low enough that my vertically-challenged feet reach the floor, and I LOVE that they tell you to turn your phones off!
So, for Mother’s Day they took me to a movie I had heard of, but written off as one about mom’s of little ones.
Mom’s Night Out is a movie about a trio of weary moms, all dealing with stresses of their own. Allyson is the main character, and she is struggling with the blessing of having what she always dreamed of (motherhood) but not being happy, feeling like a failure and trying to find purpose.
Who couldn’t relate to those struggles (with or without children)?
I strongly encourage (or is it ‘incourage’) any lady (not just moms) to see this movie (plus it has my favorite ‘tweeter’, Patricia Heaton, and the comedian whose voice I hear whenever I get a pedicure, Anjelah Johnson … see her video at the bottom of this page).
I had no idea just how applicable this movie would be for this momma who fails at her dream every day.
And, speaking of ‘incourage’ I discovered that another blogger has already told the tale of this movie, so, rather than re-create the wheel … check out this post from incourage.me.
“In the new movie MOMS’ NIGHT OUT, a group of moms dealing with everyday stresses realize they need a night out. The main character, Allyson (who is played by Sarah Drew), is a blogging wannabe when we first meet her. Enjoy this post written in the voice of Allyson.
“Beck’s playing in the toilet again!”
Not the words you want to hear when you are already late for church, your husband is out of town, and you’re trying to move your little army out the door in the general direction of the minivan. You are of single mind and laser focus: we will not be late, we will not be late, we will not be late!
Your children, on the other hand, are meandering through the house without a care in the world. Why brush your teeth when you can play one more game? Why wear church clothes when you look so much more fabulous in your sparkly shoes and a tutu? And why not have a regatta in the toilet while Mom is looking for the only clean pair of khaki pants that don’t have a rip in the knee?
Maybe if everyone just slept in their church clothes.
Sunday mornings would go so much better. Wrinkly, yes, but better. And why stop there? Why not load up the swagger wagon on Saturday night and just bed down in the minivan so that you would actually be in the parking lot before Sunday school? This idea has real potential and you vow to give it a whirl soon.
Once the kids are finally maneuvered into their clothes and parked on the couch staring at a video, you throw on a dress and reassure yourself that a messy bun is a fabulous fashion statement. And hey, if you hit enough red lights, you can do your makeup on the way. A girl can dream can’t she?
Reality sets in as you roar into the church parking lot.
All the perfect moms are chatting with each other, the sun gleaming off their perfectly highlighted tresses as they compliment each other on their perfectly coordinated dresses and shoes. You know perfectly well they must have nannies. You’ve never actually seen any of these nannies but you know there must be an underground legion of them who hold down the fort while these women take actual showers and blow out their hair and try on outfits. Otherwise, how could they look like THAT?
Then comes the cherry on your Sunday sundae: your four-year-old daughter asks to help with your eye makeup. It’s her charming LET ME! LET ME! LET ME! at the top of her lungs that inspires you to hand her that mascara wand. Hiding her handiwork behind a pair of dark glasses, you marshal your last bit of strength and head into church.
Deposit the kids in the nursery, try to fix your raccoon eye in the ladies room, and crawl over four people into a pew. But finally, it’s time. Time for a few moments of peace. Just you, God, and the reassurance that it’s all going to be okay. Your spirit will be renewed and you will be ready to head back into battle. Thank you, God, for these children. For the privilege of being their mama. For the love You show me every day. Please give me strength.
And as you collect them all up again and head back into the parking lot, you smile at the pictures they made and know that it will all be better . . . in five or maybe seven years.”
Well folks today is the day that greeting card makers wait for, after Valentines Day.
While they are making money, others are making memories that will make a mother cry …
insert Kevin Durant, the National Basketball Association’s newly crowned MVP. and forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Unless you have been hiding under a leaf all week, you have probably already watched the following video, but it is so worthwhile to check out this video of Mr. Durant’s acceptance speech. If you are in a rush, start watching at 2:25 minutes for a delightfully humble momma recognition.
And to my mom, I echo the words of Mr. Durant, YOU are the MVP!
That means that next month is the end of the school year and the start of summer!
But, being May also means that tomorrow is Mother’s Day (consider this your warning).
Mother’s Day is not just about mothers, though I can think of almost three hundred mothers who yearn to hold their daughters right now! It is the disappearance of those girls from Nigeria that had your reading attention on my blog this week, in the post, What if She was Your Daughter.
itsawonderfilledlife 