MY BLOG POSTS

I realized this week that the jobs I really love are all jobs I initially thought were impossible for me. Take teaching, for example. I never dreamed of being a teacher. I didn’t even like school all that much. But my junior year of high school, the sponsor of the FCA  challenged me to lead devotions once a week (I was NOT an athlete, but that was the only Christian club at school, so they let me in anyway!). I discovered, with her help, that I enjoyed planning those devotions. Teaching was fun! 

And writing…I never thought I could be a writer. But some students challenged me, back in 2009, to write Christian books that they would enjoy reading. Even as I started, I told my husband, “I’m going to try to write a book. But I don’t know if I can do it.” With God’s help, I did it!

And the reason this topic came to mind: Directing. This week marks the 20th show I have directed. I never thought I’d be a director. It was really a fluke that I even tried: my friend Kathy was directing High School Choir and struggling with it. I was teaching 6th grade English and struggling with that. So one day, we looked at each other and said, “How about if we switch?” And our boss let us! Two “Bye Bye Birdies,” two “Beauty and the Beasts,” and a slew of other musicals and non-musicals later, and I am still loving it!

So, friends, if you are facing a job that seems impossible, keep this in mind: God delights in showing His strength in our weakness. When we say, “But I can’t…” God says, “I can!” Maybe it’s an actual job, maybe it’s a friendship, maybe it’s sharing your faith or befriending that outcast or loving your brother. Whatever it is, don’t look to your own abilities, look to God! Take a leap of faith. You CAN!

Bullying is a real issue today — with people of all ages. Whether it’s face-to-face or over social media, the rise in bullying is frightening. But what is bullying? When is it just a bad day or a difficult personality or even an overly emotional “victim”?

How do you know when bullying is happening? Here’s an important question to ask if you’re unsure:

Are You Offended or Bullied?

Sometimes, people say things to offend us. They disagree with our opinion or maybe even laugh at something we think is serious. This is an offense. The Bible tells us that, when we are offended, we should confront the person so that there can be restoration. Humbly approach the person who has offended you and say, “You are important to me, and you hurt my feelings when you _______.” Not as an accusation or finger pointing, but to restore the friendship. I have seen great results from following this biblical principal. I have been on both the giving and receiving end of a healthy confrontation, and I have had friendships deepen and trust grow as a result.

However, when someone has caused you actual physical harm – whether it’s direct, like a punch in the face, or indirect, like being purposefully tripped – this is bullying. When someone’s words are designed to belittle, harass, or demoralize you – this is bullying. When these events happen, tell someone you trust. This type of behavior goes beyond an offense. This isn’t something you should have to just “put up with” nor is it a time to “turn the other cheek.” You aren’t being dramatic to want physical or verbal abuse to stop. As with an offense, our desire, even when being bullied, should be to seek restoration. But you need outside help to seek that. Sometimes, the bully will admit his/her wrongdoing and seek forgiveness. Often, sadly, they do not. Their response is not your responsibility. Your responsibility is to see they are held accountable for their actions.

But…

I have known many people who have been bullied/abused, and none of them immediately sought help. All, without exception, made excuses. “But…he’s usually really nice.” “But…she’s just having a bad day.” “But…no one will be believe me.” “But…she’ll be even worse if I say something.” And so on. If a “but” is coming to mind, know that you’re not alone. Telling is scary. But so is staying silent.

Friends, God made us ALL in His image. And He wants us ALL to know Him. If someone is mistreating you or someone you know, that person cannot ever truly know God. By staying silent, you aren’t protecting him/her. You’re hurting him/her. Consequences here on earth are designed for restoration. God uses those to point people to Him. When sin is allowed to stay hidden, sinners miss out on the joy of forgiveness and a right relationship with God.

If you or someone you know is being bullied – speak up. Not out of spite or anger, but love. Love that bully enough to expose his/her sin so she can be restored. Pray for him/her. But don’t stay silent. Ignore the “but’s”.

You know how God delights in putting us in situations where we’re sure we can’t do something? That happened to me this year. I was asked to add Elementary Drama to my teaching load.

A little background: I was an Elementary Ed major for about five minutes. Until I realized I’d have to teach math and science. And little kids. So I switched to English Education because that required very few math and science courses and zero little kids.

So you can see why adding Elementary Drama to my teaching load was a little scary. I mean, I don’t have to teach math or science. But there are kids. And the scariest, coming in, were the really little ones: Kindergarten! How do I teach Drama to Kindergarten? What do I do with them for 30 minutes? I was really nervous and pretty sure I’d hate that particular segment of my week.

Fast forward to three months into the school year: The thirty minutes with the Kindergarteners is just about the best part of my week. I look forward to it. Sometimes, I stop and hang out at the playground just to chat with them, outside of Drama class. Because they are adorable.

And it’s not just their chubby cheeks and little lisps. They’re just so happy. About everything! They think it’s super cool that, over break, they went to the park. Pretending the floor is a trampoline is so exciting they squeal. And when asked to act out what they want to be when they grow up, I get ballerinas, superheros, and ninjas.

It doesn’t take much to make a five-year-old really excited. And while they may cry over someone moving into their square or standing in front of them in line, they’re over it in about ten seconds. Totally over it. No grudges, no gossip, no refusal to be friends. They’re mad, then they’re fine. They’re not friends, then they’re best friends.

I feel like I’m finally understanding the reason why Jesus loved the little children so much, why He encouraged His followers to be like them. There’s no artifice, no hypocrisy. You know exactly what they’re feeling and thinking. They mess up and move on. They laugh and love and jump and squeal and find joy in opening imaginary doors and painting with an invisible paintbrush.

I’m so glad God pushed me out of my comfort zone this year — in so many ways! But especially in what He’s teaching me through these children. I miss out on too many joys because I don’t act like a child. It’s time to move on, to laugh, to forgive, and to enjoy. Life is too short to be too “grown-up”.

My grandmother is 90 years old. But you wouldn’t know it to look at her. She is in amazing physical and mental shape. I’d love to say it’s just great genes — and I hope I got them! But I know that it’s more than that.

Grandmother walks twice a day. She says she does that because she knows if she stops using her legs, they’ll stop working. But she didn’t just start walking in the last few years. She was a basketball player in high school, and one of the best golfers in town for most of her adult life. She also watches what she eats, and has done that for years, too. She makes sure to get a balanced diet, and she avoids sugar and fat.

She reads a lot — all kinds of books, from novels to theological reference books. And she keeps up on the latest news and events. She talks with friends and has been attending the same church for over fifty years.

There are some good life lessons in watching my grandmother. Not just in physical and mental care, but also spiritual. She has walked with the Lord most of her life. Really walked with him. And her faith has sustained her through situations that would have completely destroyed other people. She has lost every member of her immediate family – including her only child, my mom, who lost her battle to cancer last year. Grandmother has weathered heartache and heartbreak, and yet her faith has never wavered.

As I think about my grandmother, I am encouraged to be sure I am “staying the course.” I can’t decide when I am 89 that I want to take care of my body. I need to work on that now. But I know that even those who take the best care of their physical bodies can succumb to the horrible diseases of this sin-cursed world. Those who try the hardest to stay sharp can still be afflicted with dementia and Alzheimer’s. However, the word of God doesn’t return void, and time spent with the Savior is a glorious taste of what we’ll have in eternity. I may not be able to ensure that my body and mind don’t deteriorate, though I will try! But I can be sure that my soul is strengthened daily, by walking daily with God.

I need to exercise my faith, along with my mind and my body, not allowing for laziness in any area. We get one life. And we’re not all guaranteed 90 years. I want to make however many years I’m given count!

“Only one life, twill soon be past

Only what’s done for Christ will last”

-CT Studd