Hope and Encouragement
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The End in Mind
I enjoy planning creative lessons for my students to engage them in learning. I want them to build the skills and knowledge necessary to be strong, not only academically, but also in all other aspects of their lives. This involves encouraging them to think, problem solve, and explore. The best way for me to promote learning for my students is to have the end goal in mind. As I work to make my lessons meaningful and productive, I am ever conscious of where I want my students to finish up. I start planning how I will assess my students and work my way backward from that point, figuring out…
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Rebuilding
The old weathered barn stands as a pinnacle of a prairie farm’s existence. Repainted, refurbished, and mended over the years, it represents hours of labour and care to keep it functional. At times tragedies have struck – things like storm damage or fire – yet it still stands, built even stronger and still useful. It reminds me of a quote I read recently. Some passages just dig right into me and turn my thinking upside down. They present me with ideas in a way I have not considered before. One such quote comes from a book I read recently – Lee Strobel’s The Case for Hope. In it, Lee quotes…
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Are You Ready?
I vividly remember the days of trying to go on any car trip when my children were young. It was no matter of jumping in the car and going. It definitely required lead time to prepare things like diapers, food, clothing changes, stroller, etc. For each journey, I had to consider what needs might take place and try to prepare for them. I certainly didn’t want to fail to remember any of the essentials. Forgetting something like a child’s favourite toy could have very unpleasant consequences. I can still be that way when God is asking me to do something. I want to prepare and have everything I need…
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The Challenge
A young mother weeps as she cradles her infant son. Her precious little bundle should be enjoying the loving embraces of family and friends but there is no one who can safely enter her home. An active little boy longs for play dates with his friends, but video chats must suffice and he cries from the loneliness. A grandmother sits alone in her room, missing the hugs of her loved ones. A teacher struggles to work with her students from home as they deal with forced isolation. These are just a few of the scenarios we face during this pandemic. All of us know someone who struggles with the effects…
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What Are You Looking For?
What really matters to you? What makes you happy? When do you feel totally satisfied? What things turn your life around? The world wants us to focus on questions like these. If you only do this or only have that, then you will find true satisfaction in life. You have to find your own destiny. It’s up to you to make things happen in your life and to help yourself feel good. These statements, however, are all fallacies in God’s eyes. It is not up to us to determine what is best, only God knows what that truly is. True wholeness and satisfaction are a gift from Him. Yet…
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God’s Greenhouse
I open the door and the smell of earth permeates my nostrils. Tiny green shoots emerge each day as the seeds planted begin their journey to a full-grown plant. My greenhouse abounds with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. To me these plants provide hope – of blessed things to come. I love sorting through my seeds with visions of the produce they will provide. I picture the large pumpkins and cucumbers with their trailing vines in abundance. I see rows of berries burst forth with their red and black treasures. I envision digging in the earth to retrieve luscious carrots and potatoes. None of these plants happen, though,…
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Burden Bearing
A man prepares for a hike. Typically, he packs along the basic necessities for the day, such as water and food, in an amount that is easy to carry. His backpack isn’t a hindrance as its weight is just right for his build and strength. Then something happens. He must also carry the load of another. The extra weight seems manageable at first but soon causes his steps to slow and his back to ache. What starts out as a doable hike with an appropriate backpack now becomes a burden as he struggles under the demands of the extra load. How we bear the burdens of the day impacts our…
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The “In” Crowd
Making connections – it is usually considered the way to success. We are told to get out there and find ways to meet people who are influential in our chosen profession, sport, or interest. Get to know them, find out what makes them tick, read what they read, attend events they attend – these are all strategies supposedly to lead to the goal we desire. Most really successful people are able to use their connections to their own advantage. This “in” opens up doors to new opportunities and avenues for growth. There are many days when I would like to have that magical “in” – that special connection…
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Fair and Faithful
Playground supervision – definitely not one of my favourite teaching tasks. While I love being outdoors with students and watching their games and playful activities, it can be draining as inevitably there are squabbles between students that require me to intervene. Frequently children accuse others of not playing fair. They are quick to point fingers at others who are not following the rules or playing in an honourable way. Trying to sort out who did what is usually a challenging task, especially if I didn’t personally observe the altercation. Kids, in general, talk lots about fairness. Just try dividing up treats between a few of them. They are quick to…
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A New Thing
A highlight in my school day are my video chats with my students. My young students always have some intriguing comments to make, no matter what the subject. I never quite know what paths our conversations will take each day. They typically are quite frank and honest in their responses, easily sharing what matters most to them in their world. As is typical on a Monday morning, I ask them what they did with their weekend. In recent months, their answers are rarely exciting. Sometimes I hear about snow forts built or places visited but usually I get lists of movies watched and board games played as my students try…
