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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 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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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…
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Peace
Waiting is a challenging thing. It is one thing to await a special event; it is quite the opposite process when time lingers before a challenging task or circumstance. The morning of my cancer surgery I struggle with what to do with my time. I am not thrilled with my afternoon surgery appointment because I know that my mind will be racing in circles all morning, anticipating the events to come. Trying to ignore my hunger pangs, as I hadn’t been allowed to eat for hours, I begin mindlessly surfing the internet to bide the time. Moments before I need to start the long drive to the hospital, an email…
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Where Fear Treads
Cancer. It’s a word that strikes fear in even the strongest and heartiest of souls. There are few people these days that haven’t had someone in their lives deal with this invasive disease. No one wants or expects this diagnosis to be directed at them and it is extremely traumatic when the words are said – “You have cancer.” Just a few weeks ago I did something that has to rate as one of the most challenging things I have ever done in my life – walk through the doors of my local cancer clinic. As I struggled not to cry, I looked around at the multitude of people milling…
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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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Trust in the Lord
A child gets into a car, gleefully enjoying the adventure of a trip somewhere. There is no concern about whether the car has enough fuel or if the traffic is congested. The child is oblivious to road conditions or mechanical issues with the vehicle. For each journey, the child trusts that the parent driving the car will bring them all safely to where they need to be. This confidence allows the child the freedom just to be and enjoy the ride. In contrast, when I get in my car, there are a myriad of possible thoughts going through my head. What is the weather like today? Do I…
