A Puzzle, A Breath, and A Prayer

The holidays have been hard for quite a few of my friends: Friends missing loved ones who passed this year—some suddenly, some expected; friends struggling through anxiety and depression; friends missing kids (and other family members) to divorce; friends missing kids they are struggling to have; friends stuck in abusive homes; friends dealing with the affects of mental illness; friends who are lonely; friends continuing to grieve the loss of loved ones from years past.

It’s hard to know what to do for persons feeling so much hurt. It’s hard to know how to help. And yet I find myself doing one thing constantly—even when I don’t know how it “works”—I find myself praying.

I made a puzzle a prayer. For the three hours that it took to put it together, I prayed. (And I think maybe my mom did, too, because she knew my intentions for the puzzle.) With every piece that I put in, I prayed. I offered prayers for strength, peace, endurance, light, love, and healing for a friend whose husband recently passed away. I will give her this puzzle when I see her next and every-time she sees it, she can know that someone was and is praying for her as she works her way through grief. I may a puzzle a prayer.

My breath is a prayer, too. So often, when I know nothing else to do, when I’m in the midst of deep sorrow and hurt, I breathe my prayers. According to mindfulness practice, I breathe in the dark, stale air and breathe out light, fresh air. I imagine Jesus filtering out all of the junk and leaving only that which is good. According to Conscious Discipline (CD) practice, I breathe in and then I wish well. CD practice has nothing to do with faith, and yet, one of its main practices is, in my estimation, a prayer—a hope for something more than what is seen—a standing in solidarity—a wishing well. Breath is a prayer, too.

And so is “Dear God…” That’s it. Dear God…and then the thoughts flow…right into the very heart of God…

The holidays have been hard for quite a few of my friends. It’s hard to know what to do for persons feeling so much hurt. It’s hard to know how to help. And yet I’ve found myself doing one thing constantly—I’ve found myself praying.

Dear God…*Breathe in. Breathe out. Wish Well*…May this puzzle give strength, peace, endurance, light, love, and healing…*Breathe in. Breathe out. Wish Well*…Amen.

Your Place In The Nativity

Thanks to a picture of a Nativity scene where one of the three wise men is holding baby Jesus, I’ve found myself particularly interested in Nativities this year. Truth be told, the interest has been growing over the past few years as 1) I’ve noticed how helpful it is to have a visual image when telling the Christmas story to children, and 2) We went through my Grandmother’s house and I found a handful of Nativities that spoke to me.

After seeing the picture of a wise man holding Jesus, I made it a quiet personal quest to find non-traditional Nativities where persons other than Mary are holding baby Jesus. So far, I’ve seen a picture of a scene where Joseph is holding baby Jesus, but that’s as far as my quest has taken me…sort of…

As I was practicing for a cantata on Saturday morning, I found myself singing, “Come to the manger and kneel as his side, adore Him. Come see him sleeping, this heavenly child, adore Him. This unlikely Savior who sleeps in the cold, this tiny Messiah the prophets foretold. Come see the wonders your eyes will behold, adore Him…” and I suddenly realized what the lyrics were saying:

They were beckoning me, Deanna, to join the Nativity. They were asking me, Deanna, to enter that stable and visit baby Jesus like the shepherds did so many years ago!

And the invitation made me wonder: Where WOULD I have been in the picture had I been there? Would I have been standing at a distance, awestruck by the wonder of it all (or maybe even afraid)? Would I have been talking to Joseph and Mary, inquiring about their well-being? Would I have been trying to make the shepherds feel welcome? Would I have been holding baby Jesus?...

I know that Nativity scenes aren’t accurate. I know that the wisemen didn’t really visit baby Jesus in the stable. I know that there wasn’t snow on the ground on the night that Jesus was born. I know that that night wasn’t silent and still and that the animals weren’t perfectly poised and well-behaved.

Yet, somehow, accuracy doesn’t matter to me this Christmas. Instead, the invitation to join the Nativity is what beckons me to come…and to invite you, too…poorest of the poor…richest of the rich…timid and bold…weak and strong…to imagine yourself in that familiar Nativity…to adore Him…and to see it all anew…again…and again. Amen.

The World When Jesus Was Alive

And I keep having this one thought: There were Native American persons living, breathing, and tending the land that became the United States of America…while Jesus was living, breathing, and tending the souls of people across the world.

I can’t explain why. But this thought has hijacked my mind and it’s pretty much all I can think about this Advent season.

It fascinates me.

It puts new perspective on the Great Commission—on the call to go into all the world and share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What WAS all the world in the disciple’s minds? Jesus never went beyond 200 miles from home. We know from Paul’s journeys that people knew about Rome…and we know from other stories that Ethiopia and Egypt were on the map…so we can guess that there was a general understanding of European, Asian, and African lands. But just how much of the rest of the world was even imagined when Jesus was alive? Australia? South America? North America?

And to think that persons on those continents had NO IDEA that a man named Jesus existed…and yet, now, all these years later, Jesus is known around the world…one man, one young life, one sacrifice, known by most of humankind.

It blows my mind.

What is something that has blown your mind recently? What is something that you’ve learned? What is something on your mind today? I’d love to hear.

Treat Everyone As A Gift

Have you ever ordered something you wanted online, forgotten that you ordered it, and then surprised yourself with the order when it arrived?

Or have you ever ordered a gift online and then found yourself full of joy and excitement when it arrived—as if you had gotten yourself the gift?

Such has been my life this Christmas season. I’ve ordered myself a few things for school. I’ve ordered my family and friends many things as gifts. And every time, I’ve been excited (and sometimes surprised) when the package has arrived. I’ve found my heart racing as I’ve opened the boxes and I’ve found myself smiling as I’ve removed the packaging to reveal the treasure inside…

Wouldn’t it be neat if we did the same thing with people? Not order them online or cut them open. That would be sketchy and gross. But what if we found ourselves filled with excitement when someone showed up in our lives and we got the opportunity to get to know them and learn what lies beneath what we immediately see?

Yes. This usually takes time. Getting to know someone is not as easy as removing loose packaging. But what if we saw each person as a gift and treated them as such? Even in brief encounters, what if we treated the person as someone or something special?

I know it’s hard in the rush of the holiday season to see anyone or anything other than ourselves and our to-do list. But let us together remember the wise saying: “Be kind to everyone you meet, for everyone is fighting a great battle.” And everyone needs to be seen and celebrated for who they are.

Dispelling Darkness

I remember being afraid that I’d be judged—that people would say that my relationship with God wasn’t strong enough—that I didn’t need counseling but that I needed to “get right with the Lord.”

I remember shaking when I first asked for help—feeling vulnerable—weak—sick. I remember crying.

I remember feeling lost as I walked into counseling for the first time. I remember having no idea what to say or do. I remember sitting on the couch and feeling very weird. I remember spewing a whole bunch of things that were in my heart and on my mind. And I remember crying again…to a total stranger…who would come to be God’s Love and Light when I needed it most.

I have been in counseling for twelve years now, and I have seen three different therapists. There have been months when I’ve not seen anyone. Life has kept me away. But for the most part, I have been in counseling at least once a month for all of those twelve years—sometimes in crisis, most of the time in the normal rhythms of the life of one who struggles with anxiety and works in the helping professions—all the while in a safe space of no pretense—a container of holding for every part of my life—pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral.

Counseling has helped me understand God more fully and deeply. It has expanded my understanding of the Creator, made me more amazed at the Redeemer, and caused me to be ever more aware of the presence of the Sustainer. Trinity God is alive, active, and well, and counseling has helped me see and understand that much…all the while helping me to see and understand myself.

And yet…there is still such a stigma about counseling. There is still the belief that Christians (or strong people in general) shouldn’t need counseling—that if our relationship with God (or our family or friends) is strong enough then we shouldn’t need outside help—that if we just “get right with the Lord” then all will be well.

Well, friends, I’m here to tell you: That stigma is a dark, damning lie.

God has not called us to go at life alone. Instead, God has given us the ability to know that there are times when we must ask for and seek human help. As a result, God has given us family, friends, colleagues, church family, pastors, teachers, doctors, counselors, and other professionals to provide us with the help that we need.

Dear friends: Depression and anxiety are illnesses. They are very often brain chemical imbalances that need to be treated, and the best treatment is talk therapy (and oftentimes the addition of medication). We have no shame in treating most physical illnesses; therefore, we must stop shaming the reality of mental illnesses that are crippling millions of children, teenagers, and adults, and we must stop punishing ourselves by pretending that everything is alright when it so clearly is not.

May we be a people of Love and Light; telling our stories and dispelling the darkness of fear, shame, and lies; offering hope and giving permission to seek help to those who need it; and mustering the courage to ask for help when we ourselves need it most.

Amen?

And amen.

The Decade Challenge

Ten years ago, I was a recent Divinity School graduate who was working her dream job and learning the ropes of the vocational ministry career that she thought would be her life’s work. I was living with an 85-year-old widow named Mary who had more energy than me, and we often ate tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches together for supper. I spent many nights either bundled up in my Snuggie or in full-body flannel pajamas because Mary kept the house so cold, and I binge-watched “Touched By An Angel” on the Hallmark Channel before binge- watching became a popular thing.

Fast forward a decade and I am sitting at my desk at school, surrounded by Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas books. I have just come in from car-rider duty where I waved and smiled enthusiastically at my car-rider parents whom I feel a strange connection with. I spent the middle of my day teaching about Beethoven and the aforementioned Hanukkah, but I began and ended my day with the Gingerbread Man. What a cute yet unlovable character. Is it bad that I’m glad that he gets eaten by the fox? Or that I think it’s funny when my students get so dizzy that they look drunk while spinning like a dreidel?

[Selah]

If I’ve learned anything in ten years, then I’ve learned that it’s impossible to know what life will look like in ten years. Shoot! It’s impossible to know what life will look like tomorrow. We can make plans. We can make predictions. But the twists and turns of life’s journey are as difficult to project as the those of a country road with no reflectors, late at night, the first time you’ve driven it. And to make things more difficult, you never know when a deer of a situation will happen to you or when you will make a user-error and drive yourself right off the road.

[Selah]

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)

I am trying. I am trying to live each moment to the fullest. I am trying to cherish where I am as I am here and not to wish away my present by wishing for a future that I don’t even know how to wish for. If life were left up to me, then it would be pretty boring, because I can’t even begin to imagine the things the Great Artist Creator has yet to create. Some of life’s greatest blessings come unexpectedly. Some of God’s best creations are those that are formed from the dust and rubble of our mistakes…or of the crap that happens to us despite our best regards.

[Selah]

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Peace, friends, peace. And dreidels and Snuggies and Gingerbread Men and binge-watching your favorite shows. Today…and ten years from now…and forevermore.

[Selah]

The Next Right Thing

My niece and I went to see Frozen 2 on Friday. I’m happy to report that we both gave it a thumbs up and declared that we would see it again if asked. I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I won’t write much about the film, but I will say this: It wasn’t a typical Disney love story.

In one scene that is uncharacteristic of other Disney films I’ve seen, one of the characters has a total crisis of belief and sings one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. For anyone who has ever battled with grief, depression, anxiety, or any other dark night of the soul, the song captures the truth that we have inevitably discovered: All we can really do in life is the next right thing—take one right step at a time—not try to look so far into the future that we become overwhelmed by the reality that we see nothing—not try to look so far into the future that we become overwhelmed by the possibilities of what could go wrong (or right).

As the song in the movie says:

“Just do the next right thing
Take a step, step again
It is all that I can to do
The next right thing

I won't look too far ahead
It's too much for me to take
But break it down to this next breath, this next step
This next choice is one that I can make

So I'll walk through this night
Stumbling blindly toward the light
And do the next right thing
And with the dawn what comes then?
When it's clear that everything will never be the same again
Then I'll make the choice to hear that voice
And do the next right thing…”

I have a sign in my room that says, “Dee says, ‘One step at a time.’” It’s my footprints from 1st grade. My students sometimes ask me about the footprints. I tell them what they are and they are fascinated that I had feet when I was younger 😊.

I doubt any of them will ever realize the significance not of me having feet when I was younger but of the message that I am trying to send them every time they enter my classroom, but I can hope: One step at a time, dear students. One step at a time. Don’t try to speed up your childhood. But don’t try to slow it down either. Move forward with purpose—knowing that there is a future to come. But move forward deliberately—always trying to do the next right thing. And if it turns out that you made a mistake, don’t worry and fret—simply start from where you are and do the NEXT right thing.

You can do it, dear student. You can do it, dear friends. We can do it together…this next right thing.

Steady and Calm

If you’ve ever played Jenga, then you know that you need a calm, thoughtful approach and a gentle, steady hand if you want to succeed in removing a block. You also know that you need to be careful which block you choose lest the entire tower come crashing down…

This Thanksgiving, as you step away from your classrooms and jobs for a few days, may you find the rest and spirit of thanksgiving that you need in order to face the busyness of the holiday season with a calm, thoughtful approach and a gentle, steady hand.

We Are Thankful

My 5th graders got into an argument this morning. The big debate was over whether God and Jesus were the same or different persons. Sometimes, I let students solve their own debates. Sometimes I intervene. Today, after a solid minute of debate, I intervened. I explained that in the Christian tradition, God is three parts: God the Father, or Creator; God the Son, or Jesus; and God the Holy Spirit, the part of God that is with us today. So. Yes. Both sides of the argument are correct. God and Jesus, in the Christian tradition, are both the same and different persons all at once.

And just why were we having a very abstract and difficult to understand theological discussion in 5th grade music class? Because we were talking about things and people for which we are thankful. One boy said that he was thankful for Jesus Christ because he died on the cross for our sins. Another boy said God. Another boy said God and Jesus. And there the debate began…

In less abstract and complicated answers, many of my students have said that they are thankful for: friends and family; food and water; shelter; clothes; life; and the ability to come to school to learn. One boy said that he was thankful for the time that he got to spend with his grandfather before he passed away. And another boy said that he was thankful for music. I almost cried at those two…

What about you, friend? What people and things are you thankful for this Thanksgiving Season?
And when was the last time you had to explain the sometimes difficult and abstract parts of your faith?

Dear God: Thank you. Thank you for being beyond human comprehension but still giving us the drive to seek and try to understand—even as children. Help us always to be grateful, especially this holiday season. It’s in your Name I pray—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Buy One, Get One

Sometimes I’m lazy. Sometimes I’m spoiled. Sometimes I’m both. On Thursday afternoon, I was both…and so I found myself waiting for coffee at Starbucks for no less than 30 minutes—and I’d even placed a mobile order and driven for 7 minutes after placing the order.

The wait was quite ridiculous, really. But I suppose it was for a reason: It was “buy one get one free” day…

Except I wasn’t getting buy one get one free. I was just getting one for the next morning.

I drink my coffee cold. I was out of coffee at the house. I thought it would be quick and easy to get a coffee from Starbucks on my way home. I told you. Sometimes I’m lazy.

I was wrong.

After about twenty minutes, I thought about leaving without my coffee, but I’d already spent over $5 on it, and I’d already invested a good chunk of life in it, so I decided to stick it out. I told you. Sometimes I’m spoiled.

And so I sat and waited. And waited. And waited. Less patiently than I would have liked. And waited. Until finally they called my name. And I took my coffee. For Friday morning. And went home.

As I sat there waiting, I began to think: Wouldn’t it be nice if the many people who cared so much about getting “buy one, get one free” at Starbucks also cared about children in our schools—or about persons starving in third world countries—or about missions efforts in our churches—or about social justice in general—or about simply slowing down and waiting to hear God’s voice…and the thoughts went on.

Unfortunately, I think, we have begun to value the wrong things in this society of plenty...

God, forgive our laziness—our greed—our misplaced time, energy, and money—and begin to transform us…transform me…one cup of coffee at a time. Amen.

The Power of Human Touch

For a couple of years at JES, my morning duty was to stand in the hallway and greet students as they arrived at school. During those years, I gave and received a lot of hugs. Countless students needed to start their days with hugs. One of my students, T, even needed a kiss on his forehead.

Because I do car rider duty every afternoon at GES, I don’t have a morning duty. Because I don’t have a morning duty, I don’t give and receive morning-duty hugs. I’ve fully begun to realize the implications of this reality over the past few weeks, and I’ve realized that I feel a slight disconnect with my students because of it. Truthfully, I’m not sure that some of my students know that I care about them.

So I did something different as my most challenging class entered my room this week: I greeted each student with either a wave, a fist bump, or a hug. Students got to choose which greeting they liked. I expected a lot of fist bumps and waves. Instead, I received hugs from over 85% of the class. I was genuinely surprised by this response, and I was surprised at how tight and how long some of my 4th grade students held on.

I think sometimes we forget the power of human touch.

I know that I must be careful. Touch has too often been used to hurt and abuse, and only God knows what my students see and feel at home. But I think I’m going to start trying to give more hugs, or waves, or fist bumps.

I need for my students to know that I care.

What is something you want to start doing? What led you to your decision?

Veterans Day Interview With My Dad

What branch of the military did you serve in? US Army

How long did you serve? 28 years

How old were you when you enlisted? 25

Why did you enlist? I wanted to be an Army chaplain. I felt that God was calling me to do it.

What was your highest rank? Lieutenant Colonel…and I was a Command and General Staff College Graduate.

What were your jobs in the military? I first served as a Supervisory Chaplain for the 171st Support Group, US Army Reserve. I then served as a Command Chaplain of the Civil Affairs Psychological Operations at Fort Bragg. My last assignment was Deputy Chaplain of the Special Operations Command of the US Army at Fort Bragg.

What did you do as a Chaplain? I led worship services, coordinated interfaith workshops, provided personal counseling, maintained personal proficiency so that I was ready to fight, and evaluated Chaplains in my chain of command.

Did you ever go to a combat zone? No. But I was deployed to Equador to support nation building efforts. I served 1100 troops from various countries.

What was the hardest part of being in the military? Having to be away from my family.

What was the best part of being in the military? The sense of bonding and belonging to people who loved you and would die for you.

What do think the most important part of your work was? Bringing men and women to God and God to women and men.

How did you serve people who were not believers? I accepted them as being created by God and being deserving of all the compassion, counsel, and help that I could give them.

You currently work with the Veterans Treatment Court in Harnett County. What do you do in that role? I am the Chaplain to the Core Treatment Team that includes the Judge, Clerk of Court, District Attorney, Defense Attorneys, Probation Officers, Veteran Service Administration, and Mentor Coordinators. I also counsel with individuals when asked and visit the jail as directed by the Judge.

What is the goal of the Veterans Treatment Court? To assist Veterans who are in trouble with legal issues in finding a wholesome lifestyle and understanding of self that will enable them to function as an asset in our society. In other words, working with broken people and trying to make them whole by utilizing all the resources we can find.

How do you think we can best honor our Veterans? Value Veterans as ordinary people who have been called upon to do extraordinary things under very difficult circumstances and listen to what they have to say. If someone presents a need that we might be able to meet, then meet it. Someone may need a ride to the doctor or need their grass cut or somebody might need help retrieving medicine. That’s stuff we can do. But we have to know people in order to meet their needs. In short, be a good neighbor as we understand how Jesus meant to be a neighbor.

What else do you want us to know on this Veterans Day? We need Veterans and their families who come from and represent all parts of our society, and we need to maintain our desire to uphold the constitution of the United States and defend the idea of democracy that values all people.

Proud of Our Veterans

On Monday afternoon, one of our assistants asked what her son should wear to the program on Monday night. He had told her “nothing.” She knew that he wasn’t supposed to show up naked. So I told her jeans and a patriotic-colored shirt…

Last week, one of our other assistants shared that her husband’s birthday was over the weekend. As part of her birthday present to her daddy, the assistant’s daughter gave him, a veteran, her performance in Monday’s night program…

Before the performance on Monday night, one of my students left the stage crying. He was trying so very hard but he was simply overwhelmed with nerves. My PE teacher saw him leave stage and went to talk with him. After a few minutes of calming down, she encouraged him to get back on stage. And what was it that convinced him to get back up there and try again? His mom. He knew that if he could make it through the performance, then he would be able to salute his mom as part of one of our songs…

“We are proud of our veterans, proud of you all. You are patriots and heroes who answered the call. With courage, strength, and sacrifice, you saw our country through. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to you…” (*insert sign language for “thank you.”)

After the program, my very anxious student walked arm in arm with his mom, still dressed in her army uniform. He had just told her thank you for being a combat veteran…

My one assistant had just watched her daughter’s whole countenance change when she saw her daddy arrive at the program from his work. Her daughter was able to give her daddy the gift of saying thank you…through music…

And my other assistant had just watched her patriotic-color-clad son salute his father, also a veteran. She wrote, “R was so proud to salute his daddy…”

“We are proud of our veterans, proud of you all. You are citizens with honor and faith standing tall. Our freedom is assured to us because you all came through. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to you.” (*insert a physical salute*)

------

Special Note: When I programmed the song, “Proud of our Veterans,” I knew that it would be special for our Veterans, but I had no idea how special it would be for my students. I feel honored to have been part of this experience.

Performances: On Changing My Mind

I must confess: I’m not a huge fan of performances. They take A LOT of work and the work takes A LOT of time. For example: We’ve been in school a little over nine weeks, and I have been working on a performance with my 2nd and 3rd graders since week one. The performance is tonight. It will be the first performance at GES in years. I am nervous. I would have been fine not doing a performance. And yet. I know that performances are important.

On Friday night, I went to my niece’s piano recital. At the beginning of the recital, her piano teacher gave a little speech about the importance of…performance. It was as if she’d crawled into my head and read my thoughts. She said that performances are important because: 1) they give students a goal to work toward; 2) they provide students with a sense of accomplishment; 3) they give students the opportunity to receive applause and recognition; 4) they require courage and self-confidence; and 5) they create opportunities for working together and following leadership.

When she finished her speech, I felt about an inch high for not being a fan of performances. Yet I simultaneously felt about an inch taller because I knew that tonight was going to do all of those things for my students…as well as provide parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, teachers, friends, and neighbors an opportunity to be proud of their little people. I know that I was super proud of my niece after she played Friday night, and I imagine that there will be some pride tonight after our performance.

Finally, tonight’s performance will honor our nation’s veterans. We have talked a lot about veterans and how important they and our current military personnel are to our country. We have discussed that sometimes the best thing we can do for someone is say thank you. Tonight’s performance will give us that opportunity to say thank you.

So…I must confess: I’m not a huge fan of performances. But. My mind is changing. After 15 years of teaching, my mind is changing…and my niece’s piano teacher can be credited for beginning the shift.

What is something that you have begun to or completely changed your mind about recently—even if it’s something you’ve held to for years? Can you pinpoint an exact moment when your thoughts began to shift? Please share. I’d love to hear.

Be Still

Have you ever watched a movie or TV show and found yourself in tears over a song that was playing in the background?

That happened to me a few years ago on Abby’s last NCIS episode. The final montage was sad enough with her departure from the show, but the song that played with the montage is what really got me.

The thing is—I’m not exactly sure how it fit with her departure. The song, “Be Still” by The Fray, seems to me to be a song that assures us of God’s presence in our lives. Abby’s character was a Christian; the actress who played her is a Christian. Maybe she selected the song as a quiet and final expression of her faith? Maybe the song is somehow how she wanted us to remember her?

Regardless, the song made an impression on me that night…and then again last Thursday after I wrote my note “Scattered Thoughts.” As I drove home that night, “Be Still,” came on my playlist and I immediately knew that it was supposed to be part of my sermon. It wasn’t until late Saturday night, though, that all of the parts of the sermon finally fit together. Here is how it all played out:

A few weeks ago, sitting right here at Pleasant Memory, I heard God’s voice as clearly as I’ve ever heard it. “Be still, Deanna, Be still.”

*insert Be Still and Know*

Restless and distracted, I made myself sit up straight and put both feet firmly on the ground. “Be still,” I heard, more loudly, “Be still.”

*insert Be Still and Know*

Finally, with my body and spirit settled, I was able to hear the message God had for me that day. The next day, I wrote:

*insert 9.9.19 note…Yet just as I love my little space cadets who cannot sit still, God loves God’s humans who, too, struggle to be still. And just as I try to be patient with my Kindergarten students as they mature in their abilities to do school and learn, God is patient with us as we mature in our faith…*

Be still, congregation. Be still.

*insert Be Still My Soul*

Last Thursday, when I sat down to write my weekly blog post, I couldn’t help but notice just how restless and distracted I had once again become. When I tried to write, all that emerged was a jumbled mess...and, yet, at the end, a clear message emerged:

Be still and know that I am God.
Breathe.
Be still...

*insert Be Still, The Fray*

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
--Psalm 46*

Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nUuBjz4Vhc

Scattered Thoughts

I’m feeling a bit scattered today.

I’m preaching on Sunday. I have a passage of scripture. I have studied the passage. I have a central idea. I know what I feel led to say. I just have no idea how to move it from a paragraph into a sermon. I think I may have sermon fright…

I went to the fair two times this year. I was there for around 9 total hours. In chronological order, I ate: frozen apple cider, a fried cheeseburger, half of a Thanksgiving egg-roll, muscadine juice, a chicken pita, mini-donuts, tempura vegetables, half of a Korean pork roll egg-roll, a gyro, and a piece of fried pumpkin pie. I think I’m still full…

I ran into three students at the fair. Two were brothers who have never been in the car rider line but somehow their parents recognized me. One was a girl who is a car rider once a week yet her mom looked at me like she might have to hurt me for hugging her daughter who had suction-cupped herself around my waist. I’m thankful that I had on my RedForEd shirt so that I at least looked something like a teacher…

Evidently, five little pumpkins are sitting on a gate. They can speak. And their words rhyme. And the five little pumpkins rollllllllled out of sight…

I’m pretty sure that Halloween and haunted houses are to blame for clowns and dolls now being associated with spooky things. I blame the same for today’s perception of organ music. Organ music originated in the church but is no longer known for being music for worship but for being music for haunted or scary things. I think this is sad…

I’ve been having some trouble with my voice lately. Specifically, my singing range has drastically decreased and my voice isn’t as strong as it used to be. Even so, a Kindergarten student looked at me today and said, “You have such a beautiful voice.” He was so genuine in his compliment. It made me feel good…

The Kindergartners were drawing words for the letter D the other day, and one student drew me. I think that’s pretty cool!...

I have a dog that comes through car rider line with his big human every day. His name is Noah. His little human’s name is B. Yesterday, over the walkie talkie, I didn’t call for B. Instead, I called for Noah. Oops!...

I had a hat behind my desk the other day, so I threw it on really quickly for car duty. When I got outside, one of my Kindergarteners said, “You don’t have your thing on,” and she gestured for a jacket. Afraid that my nightmares were coming true and that I was somehow shirtless, I looked down. I had on my shirt, but I didn’t have on my safety vest. Oops! I’m just impressed that someone noticed…

I have at least two sets of car twins in the car rider line now. Sometimes, I call the wrong name. Oops…

My hair caught my earring last night and knocked my earring out of my ear. Somehow, the earring disappeared. It was a piercing stud that I’ve had for well over 20 years. I’m sad…

“Be still and know that I am God.”

*breathe*

Be still…

JD's J

Have you ever overlooked something that was sitting right in front of you?

I did that on Thursday and only noticed the object today.

On Thursday, J, my autistic student who expects a banana or apple every time he comes to music, was sitting in his normal seat at my computer when he picked up a ballpoint pen.

I’m used to J having a dry erase marker so that he can draw the cutest letters and characters you’ve ever seen, but I was not used to seeing J with a pen in hand.

J had unearthed a copy of his favorite book, “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,” and had it open at my desk, so I thought he was going to draw faces on all of the letters. Knowing that we’re trying to teach J not to draw in books, I was prepared to stop him (although I secretly wanted him to mark the book). But he never drew in the book. As far as I knew, he never actually drew anything.

Except he did.

He drew a capital J on a post-it note and placed it on my file cabinet in the midst of my motivational sayings and things that make me smile.

For some reason, I didn’t see J’s “J” until today. And when I did, I grinned.

J, in his own way, had left me his very own love gift.

And my heart overflowed.

-------

When is a time that you overlooked an object that was right in front of you? Please share. I’d love to read your story!

But Have Not Love

If I teach lessons that would make all teachers and professors proud,
but have not love,
then I am only a busted drum, a clanging cymbal, or a room full of recorder players playing loud and free.
If I have the gift of wisdom that can fathom and solve all behavioral mysteries and challenges, and
If I have a memory that memorizes all cars in the car-rider line,
but have not love,
I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to my Title 1 students and
Never miss a day of work
but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy other’s time,
It does not boast of minor accomplishment,
It is not proud.
It does not dishonor others with gossip and verbal attacks,
It is not self-seeking to the detriment of others,
It is not easily angered,
It keeps no record of petty wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects those who cannot protect themselves,
Always trusts deep intuition,
Always hopes for the good,
Always perseveres.
Love never fails.

-----

God, help me to love—help us to love—help us to live for the name and sake of Love. Amen

The Magical Power of Words

If someone were to ask you to respond to the topic, “The Magical Power of Words,” then how would you respond?

For me, I immediately thought of words as creation. When we speak, we create. We put ideas into tangible expression. We introduce positive or negative energy with just one movement of the tongue, stroke of the pen, or touch of the keys. We ignite a fire with just one strike of a linguistic match.

I wrote:

The creation of the
Heavens and
Earth came through the
Magic of words.
And words are still creating:
Growing goodness,
Inspiring peace,
Challenging status-quo,
Overcoming ignorance that
For too long has destroyed.
Words:
Occupying time and space,
Rolling from tongue and pen,
Declaring old things new,
Saving the world with power…

A friend’s daughter responded differently, though. For her, words are indeed powerful, yet their power lies less in creation than it does destruction.

She wrote:

…So when wanting to do harm with words
Think about what you say
For someday after now
You will regret the harm you caused
Because your words will never return
They will stay above your head
No matter what you do
And no one will be friends with you…

What about you, friend? What do you say about “the magical power of words?”

Sacrifice

After singing a song this morning, a second-grade student raised his hand and asked, “What is sacrifice?”

Not expecting the question, I quickly thought of an answer that didn’t include the word itself. (You’d be surprised at how difficult it is to define a word without using the word or a derivative of the word in its own definition.)

I said, “A sacrifice is something that’s difficult to do. It’s something that you might not want to do but that you know is for the best, so you do it anyway. For instance, a military person might have to go far away from his family for a year. He probably doesn’t want to go far away from his family for a year, but he knows it is his job, so he does it anyway. He makes a sacrifice. Or. Maybe you don’t want to do your homework when you get home but you know you need to do it. In that case, you sacrifice your time to do your homework—something you don’t want to do—because you know it’s the right thing to do. Does that make sense?”

“Yes. It’s like when a military person knows that he might get shot but does his job anyway?”

“Yes…Yes…That is sacrifice.”

And, oh, sweet boy, there are so many sacrifices that people make each day:

A teacher who spends her paycheck on supplies and materials for her students because they otherwise wouldn’t have them;

A mom who skips supper because there isn’t enough food to feed everyone in the house;

A family who chooses not to eat out for the month because they hear of an orphanage that is in dire need of funding;

A couple who tithes every month even though they are barely making ends meet;

A big brother who goes without underwear so that his little brother can wear their one pair;

A doctor who leaves a six-figure job in the city to move to a small town that needs good medical care;

A friend who forfeits concert tickets so that she can visit a friend she knows is hurting;

A parent who buys all of his clothes at the thrift store and packs his lunch every day to save money to send his children to college;

A mom who leaves her family behind to come to the United States to make enough money to provide food, clothing, and shelter in a third world country;

A perfect man who gave his life to pay the price for others’ shortcomings…

So many people make sacrifices each day. But how often do we stop and say thanks?

Loving God, for the sacrifice of your Son, we give you thanks. And for the sacrifices that are made each day to make this world a better place, we offer this prayer of praise. Give us eyes to see the sacrifice around us and give us the bold wisdom to encourage those who need it most. Amen.

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What is a story of sacrifice that moves or inspires you? I would love to hear.

World-Transforming Tasks

Today during 4th grade music, my students drew their favorite orchestra instruments as part of a debriefing of last week’s symphony field trip. One particular student did a really good job with her drawings, so I made sure to tell her that she was a gifted artist. She responded, “But I like soccer.”

A little while later at lunch, that same student called me over and asked, “If you could do anything in the world other than be a music teacher, what would you do?”

Without hesitation, I said, “I’d be a preacher or chaplain.”

When I asked her what she’d do if she could do anything in the world, she hesitantly declared, “I’d be a soccer player.”…

Last night, I was struck by this prayer in my devotion book:

“Giver of Peace, slow us down so that we may be driven, not by our desire to succeed or to be rewarded, but by your will, so that we may be rested and ready for the world-transforming tasks you give us. Amen.”

Did you catch everything you just read?!

“Giver of Peace.” A beautiful name for God. An acknowledgement that peace comes only from God.

“Slow us down.” A constant need in this fast-paced, over-worked world. A call to be still. To breathe. To stop doing so much and practice just being.

“So that we may be driven not by our desire to succeed or be rewarded.” What the world tells us we need. Success. Rewards. To be the best. And that need is what so often drives us.

“But by your will.” By God’s will. By a will is higher than our own.

“So that we may be rested and ready.” Rested and ready! The opposite of tired and unprepared. The opposite of how we feel most days. Rested. Because we have slowed down. Ready. Because we have sought God’s will.

“For the world-transforming tasks you give us.” The world-transforming tasks of everyday life. Not redundant, boring, pointless, time-filling tasks. Not waiting for something more. But world-transforming tasks of everyday life right now. Life given to us by God.

I don’t know about you. But I want this prayer to come true! I want to slow down. I want to be driven not by my own desires for success but by God’s will for hope, joy, love, redemption, reconciliation, forgiveness, and justice. I want to feel rested and ready for my days. And I want to see my work as world-transforming tasks given by God.

Who knows. Maybe that simple conversation with my 4th grader began a transformation in her world. Maybe she now knows that she is a talented artist. Maybe she now knows that she can play soccer if she so chooses. Maybe she now knows that there are people who work in churches for a living. Maybe her world began transforming today. And maybe mine did, too. Because maybe I’m ready not to be driven by my own desires for success and understanding but by God’s desires alone.

“Giver of Peace, slow us down so that we may be driven, not by our desire to succeed or to be rewarded, but by your will, so that we may be rested and ready for the world-transforming tasks you give us. Amen.”

And Amen.

Tender Heart and Tough Skin

This prayer popped up on my FB memories today. It’s from six years ago when I was re-beginning my journey in the public schools. In so many ways, so many things have changed, and yet…I still find myself needing to pray:

Dear God.
Revive my spirit with
positive goodwill to others,
renew my love for
the crankiest and most hurtful people
I know or meet, and
replenish
my inner security so
I will have
a tender heart and
tough skin.
I love you.
Help me to
love this world
with your love.
Amen.

Maybe you need to pray these words, too?

Out of Order

The last stall in the girl’s bathroom has been “Out of Order” for the past week. I don’t know what’s wrong with it. I haven’t bothered to check it out. All I know is that there’s a sign and I trust that the sign isn’t telling a lie.

It makes me wonder, though. What would happen if we could wear a sign on the days when we are out of order—out of stability—out of calm—out of harmony—out of peace—out of tranquility—out of lawfulness—out of serenity?

What would happen if we could wear a sign on those days when our hearts and minds just aren’t in our work; when we’ve had an argument with our loved ones and our love tanks are far from full; when we’re beyond tired from the demands of the world; when grief overwhelms us; when worry consumes us; when we’re just not feeling like adulting; when all we want to do is take a vacation that doesn’t require another vacation to recover?

I wonder if people would give us a wide berth and trust that the sign isn’t lying. I wonder if we would be left alone to deal with our upheaval in such a way that we don’t end up saying or doing something that we will later regret.

Alas. We don’t get to wear signs. And yet there are signs all around—of systems and people who are out of order—stability—calm—harmony—peace—tranquility—lawfulness—and serenity…

God, help us to see signs of dis-order, and help us to steer clear of situations that can inevitably hurt us when we know that we, ourselves, are out of sorts. Help us to know when to check on those who are hurting and when to give them space, and help us not to ignore those in dire distress. It’s a fine line—knowing when to check and when to give space—knowing when we ourselves need to ask for help and when we need to go at it alone. Help us as we walk the line and fill us with your peace on days when we are out of order. Amen.

Good Stewards Of The Earth

During my three years of vocational ministry, I spent many hours learning and teaching about human exploitation. While human trafficking immediately comes to most people’s minds when they hear the phrase “human exploitation,” I always think of another, less obvious form of human exploitation: exploitation of natural resources.

Exploitation of natural resources is both the misuse and abuse of God’s abundant creation which has been entrusted to us, and the disrespect of our neighbors—those present, those to come, and those around the world. As we disregard the earth and our role as stewards of God’s creation, we create an unequal burden on those who are most vulnerable in this lifetime and on all those who are to come.

If we believe that, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1 KJV); and

If we believe that we are to do everything “for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31); and

If we believe that our lives are to be living “sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God,” for “this is our true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1); and

If we believe that we are truly to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 22:29); and

If we believe that God created man and woman and commissioned humankind to take care of the earth and to care for and respect each other (Genesis 1 and 2); and

If we believe that God created God’s creation and called it good (Genesis 1)…

Then we must live, breathe, and demonstrate the understanding that we are an interdependent people: human to God, human to human, and human to natural resources.

Yes. God is Sovereign. Yes. God has ultimate power over God’s creation. But I just can’t believe that God controls this world as a puppeteer controls his puppets. Instead, I believe, God asks us to play a part in taking care of God’s creation—in living our lives in such a way that our lives and actions are worthy of the goodness of the God who created us and called us good—and in such ways that we will leave the world a better place than we found it for future generations—in such ways that this earth will be redeemed through the redemption of Jesus Christ—the same Christ of whom so many Christians profess to be the hands and feet.

We can pretend that global warming isn’t real. We can pretend that our excess production of trash for our own convenience has no impact on earth. We can pretend that using up fossil fuels and cutting down trees and bringing animals to extinction is all part of God’s plan for humans to dominate earth. But what if global warming is real? What if our excess production of trash is negatively affecting persons and nations who are already poor and lack resources to respond? What if God weeps over the way we are consuming God’s beautiful creation out of a greed for more?

We have got to do better. I have got to do better. God, forgive us, and help us to do better. Please. Amen.

As Children Think

During my Kindergarten class on Monday, two of my boys spent most of the class period with arms wrapped around one another’s backs, smiling as they were singing their ABC’s and dancing happily around the room.

They didn’t care that they were both boys.

They didn’t care that their skin was different colors.

They didn’t care that earlier in the day they had been arguing with one another.

All they cared about was having a friend beside them, connected to them, in that very moment.

How much better would this world be if we were like these two boys? Not caring about gender or race—not holding grudges—but just being in the moment with a friend?

God, help us to live with the simple, innocent, open eyes of children and to enjoy our lives and the people you’ve placed in them every moment of every day. Amen.

Think Before You Speak

9.16.19—Think Before You Speak

I asked a dumb question today.

A student had gotten soap on her pants and was very concerned about how it looked.

Without really thinking yet somehow still thinking about 15 things at once, I said, “How’d you get soap on your pants?”

As soon as I’d muttered the question, I realized that it didn’t matter how she got soap on her pants. What mattered was that she was concerned about how it looked and was afraid that she was going to be picked on.

Instead of thinking about the details of the event that led to the problem, I should have said something like, “How can I help you?” and then worked with the student to solve the problem.

Instead of focusing on the details of the event that could have been embarrassing to the student, I should have said something like, “I’m sorry you got soap on your pants. Let’s see if we can figure out how to get that off or to cover it up.”

How many times do we encounter persons in need, feel compassion for them, want to help them, but then ask the most ridiculous, oftentimes hurtful, questions?

How many times do our heart and spirit have genuinely good intentions but then our mouths get in the way?

Thankfully, I quickly moved the conversation away from my dumb question, and the student and I figured out a way to detract from the soap spill.

But still…this encounter stuck with me and has served as a gentle reminder that I, myself, need to do something that I’ve been encouraging my students to do: Think before I speak.

Is what I’m going to say:
True
Helpful
Inspiring
Necessary
Kind

Think, Deanna. Think before you speak.

Think, friend. Think before you speak.

God, help us to think before we speak and to not let our good intentions be derailed by our mouths…and forgive us and help us get back on track when we do. Amen.

Okay In My Own Skin

At the end of the summer, I joined an online music educator’s group in an effort to become a better music teacher.

Instead of helping me, the group hindered me. I started doubting my abilities to plan and teach meaningful, relevant, world-expanding lessons, and I felt like nothing I did was good enough for the group.

After a couple of weeks of icky restlessness, I stopped looking at group member posts. Yesterday, for the first time all year, I felt like a decent teacher.

As I stood with my 5th graders and discussed blindness and autism (We watched a clip of Kodi Lee from America’s Got Talent);

As I explained what a brain tumor was (George Gershwin died very young from a brain tumor);

As my 2nd and 3rd graders learned the meaning of decency, fairness, honesty, discipline, justice, courage, integrity, compassion, morality, humility, kindness, respect, and responsibility (We’re singing a song with these lyrics);

As I corrected a first grader’s idea that we live in Merica (We’re learning “America”);

As I listened to some of my EC students respond to their lesson and happily participate (Today’s picture is courtesy of one of those students; he drew the planets);

I was finally able to rest in my own skin again and know that I am teaching meaningful, relevant, world-expanding lessons.

It’s good for us to try to improve. It’s good to seek opportunities for growth. But sometimes our best human efforts end up hurting us more than helping us, and it’s in those moments that we must fall back on and trust the person that God has made us to be.

What is something in your life that you thought would help but has hindered you instead? What parts of your God-created and redeemed self do you need to fall back on and trust tonight?

Known By Name

It’s impossible to predict what Kindergarten students will say. Today, for instance, after hearing, responding/dancing to, and/or singing no less than ten new songs, one of my Kindergarten students said, “But we didn’t do music,” as she left class. I’m not sure what she thought we had done, but in her mind, we hadn’t done music. Thankfully a classmate set her straight, “Yes we did. That’s why it’s called MUSIC class.” 😊

And on Friday. When I asked the first student on the carpet to tell me his name, I was not at all prepared for him to tell me his full name. I’m usually lucky to get a first name out of my students on their first day of class, so to hear a full name and understand every syllable was a surprise! Then, after the next student did the same thing, I was even more surprised. Then the next. And the next. And the next. Until every student in the class had introduced themselves by telling me their First Middle and Last names!

I asked the assistant if they had been practicing this in class. She said no, that she was just as surprised as me. And so for the first time ever, I was introduced to a Kindergarten class by their full names—by every way they knew to identify themselves.

Oddly enough, I didn’t think about this strange Kindergarten occurrence again until yesterday morning when my dad said something in a prayer that caught my attention:

“When we think of our names--” he prayed, “our full names—may we know that You know us—really know us—and love us--just as we are.”

My eyes popped open when he said that. Memories of my Kindergarten class introducing themselves with their full names moved to the forefront of my mind. And I thought to myself, “God knows us by name—by full name—by every way we know to identify ourselves—and God loves us—shortcomings and all.”

Just as I oftentimes shake my head at my Kindergarten students because they are so impulsive and unpredictable, so restless and hard of hearing, I imagine that God oftentimes shakes God’s head at us for being the same. Yet just as I love my little space cadets who cannot sit still, God loves God’s humans who, too, struggle to be still. And just as I try to be patient with my Kindergarten students as they mature in their abilities to do school and learn, God is patient with us as we mature in our faith.

What is your full name? When is the last time you said it aloud? Take a moment to do so now.

God knows you—your full name—and God loves you—in all of your messy glory.

Amen.

That's The Plan

I decided to use my morning off to deliver hot chocolate to a friend. We had a nice visit.
After I got home, I decided to cook. I made chicken salad.

While cooking, I decided to turn on the TV. I turned on WRAL’s news coverage of Dorian.

While watching the news, I saw the picture of the Jeep that someone decided to drive onto the beach during a storm. I got mad when I saw a father allow his young son to climb onto the Jeep for a selfie.

I decided to write my note about what I had just seen. I see the effects of questionable parenting every day.

Then Debra Morgan made me laugh.

“…Dorian is on the same path as Hurricane Fran, only it’s not going to hit us as hard. Well. It’s not supposed to hit us as hard. That’s the plan anyway.”

That’s the plan.

First, I thought, do hurricanes have plans?

Then, I thought, how many times do we make plans that completely fail?

How many times have I planned to conquer the world while driving home, only to get here and promptly watch all of my energy dissipate?

How many times have I planned a lesson only to watch it fail?

Plans are good. Plans are needed. Having a good plan helps keep thoughts organized and actions on track.

But, really, when it comes down to it, how many plans are actually within our control? Especially when it comes to the weather!?

I think of Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you, ‘declares the LORD,’ plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

And I think of a name for God that has been floating around my mind for a few days—"God of heaven and earth and all points between.”

And I am reminded that plans are so much bigger than me—not completely independent of me—I must do my part—but, ultimately, life and nature are so much bigger than me—than us.

And even when I don’t understand the outcome, I am glad.

God of heaven and earth and all points between, help us to see the beauty in all things. Lead us to a time and place where each unique aspect of life and creation is appreciated—even hurricanes that we intellectually understand but emotionally cannot fathom. Move our live and spirits toward common peace. Amen.

De Colores

9.2.19—De Colores

I’ve spent the day alternating between trying to beat a headache and doing one of the following things: burning old papers in the fire pit, pulling weeds, thinking about this note, preparing a meal, talking with my neighbor, and reading in preparation for the week.

It’s no secret that I often wonder what impact I make as an elementary music teacher. When I’m at my best, I can put my wondering to rest; I know that teachers can literally change the course of their students’ lives. But when I’m at my worst, the nagging doubts become thorns, vines, or weeds (like the ones in this picture) that choke out truth.

In today’s alternation of activities, I have had three things happen that have pulled some mental weeds:

I saw a picture of two of my former students (brothers) playing their French horns. If I remember correctly, my playing the horn had something to do with the reality that both of them now play their horns for their careers in the US Marine Corps.

I spoke with a former student who is now an elementary music teacher and has taught herself to play guitar. She is an excellent teacher.

I read the following passage from the NC Symphony Teacher’s Guide, and I knew, immediately, that the content of this paragraph is one of the things that I want to embody and teach all of my students—whether it’s through this particular song or not.

“’De colores’” is a Spanish folk song that embodies new beginnings, hope, and renewal. The expression means “in colors.” Although there are sad moments in life, there are also moments of joy, love, and many other experiences that are ’the colors’ of our lives. These colors, although unique to each individual, are the fundamental strands that tie us together. In other words, there are many colors but one human experience. The song is often taught in schools as a common Mexican folk song.”

Did you read that friends? Although there are sad moments in life—hard times—difficult circumstances that we may not understand—there are also moments of joy, love, hope, understanding, and new beginnings that are “the colors” of our lives. These colors—these reds and blues and yellows—are unique to each individual, yet they are the fundamental strands that tie us together. In other words, there are many colors but one human experience. There are many parts but one body. We are all in this together.

We are
All
In this
Together.

Music teachers, classroom teachers, administration, school staff, doctors, nurses, lawyers, sanitation workers, custodians, vocational ministers, cashiers, clerks, salespeople, accountants, engineers, technology experts, YouTubers, construction workers, first responders, warehouse workers, politicians, baristas, chefs, factory workers, military personnel, activists, carpenters, homemakers, funeral workers, prayer warriors, writers, musicians, artists…

We are all in this together.

God of work and rest, help me to remember—help us to remember—that we’re all in this together—everyone making a difference in their own unique way. Amen.

Where's My Banana

“Ooooh! Can we do that fast and slow one where we move around the room?”
“Where’s my banana?”
“How did the Great Depression affect Louis Armstrong and his family?”

Other than seeing the smiling faces of my car rider parents, these three statements have been the highlights of my first week back. Let me explain:

Last year at the end of the year, I taught fast and slow to my Kindergarten and 1st graders. One of their favorite activities was moving around the room at the appropriate speed. Sometimes, they even moved so fast that they made the ceiling fans turn! When I began fast and slow with my 1st graders this week, I realized just how many students remembered what we did last year. I’ve had at least one student from every 1st grade class ask if we could do that fast and slow activity. Students in other grades have asked about activities that we did last year, too. It makes me feel good that my students are remembering.

One day last year, I accidentally left a banana on my desk beside the computer where one of my autistic 3rd grade students, J, sits for music class. As I was teaching, I began to smell a banana. J had decided to eat my banana! The next week, I intentionally left a banana to see what he’d do. He ate it. The next week I left a cutie orange. He ate it. For the rest of the year, I delivered fresh fruit to J…so I guess it only seemed to natural for him to expect fresh fruit in music class this year—only, I forgot! I taught J’s 4th grade class on Tuesday. He sat down at the computer, looked at me, and said, “Where’s my banana?” 😊 I will be going to the grocery store to buy J a banana before class next week!

Each month, I put up a bulletin board of composers and musicians who were born in that month. Louis Armstrong was born in August. To set up my unit on the International Day of Peace, I decided to teach my 5th graders a little about Louis Armstrong and his song “What A Wonderful World.” One of my students who is good with history and numbers evidently made a connection about the time period in which Louis Armstrong lived. Completely out of the blue, he raised his hand and asked, “How did the Great Depression affect Louis Armstrong and his family?” Dumbfounded, I responded, “Well, I don’t know. But between the two of us, let’s find out.” I’ve been reading books and articles about Louis Armstrong ever since. I even downloaded a book in Spanish by accident!

Today’s calendar reading told me to make a list of everything I’ve accomplished today—that I might be surprised at how much I’ve done. Instead, as I’ve written this post, I’ve been surprised at just how full my life has been this week. Every moment. Every day. There is life to be lived—moments to be celebrated—sometimes we just need to slow down and think about them to let them sink in…

What is something that has made you feel good this week? Something that has made you laugh? What is something that has dumbfounded or surprised you? A silly mistake you’ve made that could have been avoided had you paid attention? Have you been studying something new—learning about a life you never knew about before? Are you an expert on how the Great Depression affected Louis Armstrong and his family? I’d love to hear, friend. And now. Go eat a banana! 😊

What's In A Name

Earlier this afternoon, a friend asked me the highlight of my day. I jokingly (but maybe not so jokingly 😊) said the chicken and cheese wrap that I had for lunch. I also said that I knew some names and that knowing names made me happy. And it did.

If you were with me at this time last year, then you know that I was feeling completely defeated. I knew no names. I was not very graceful toward myself for my rightful ignorance. And I felt completely out of place.

Today, though, I only felt rusty—not defeated—and I think it’s because I knew more names than not—even in the car rider line!

Friends: There is power in names.

At the beginning of the year, I began a list of names for God. I’ve been compiling this list from the prayers in my Moravian devotion book. Just reading the names, or descriptions, of God has expanded my view of God and reminded me just how big God is.

I know the list is long, but I encourage you to read it, see which names jump out to you (in a positive or negative way), and then allow yourself to wonder why. What exactly is speaking to you at this point in your life? What is stretching you? Who is God to you? And if you feel comfortable, I’d love for you to share.

Friends: There is power in names…

Of students, parents, and teachers.

And of God.

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All knowing God
Almighty God
Beautiful Savior
Blessed Redeemer
Christ
Christ Jesus
Christ our mediator and redeemer
Comforter and Sustainer
Compassionate Lord
Creative God
Creator God
Creator Lord
Dear Lord
Divine Comforter
Eternal God
Eternal Lord
Everlasting Lord
Father
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Forgiving God
Giver of life
Giving Lord
God
God of compassion
God of courage
God of Creation
God of Grace
God of history, God of eternity
God of hope
God of humility and God of true power
God of forgiveness
God of mercy and love
God of our salvation
God of peace
God of provision
God our provider
God of redemption
God of steadfast love
God of wholeness
God who has always been and will be for us
Gracious God
Gracious Lord
Gracious Shepherd
Great Voice of Truth and Wisdom
Guardian of our very being
Heavenly, almighty God
Heavenly Father
Heavenly God
Heavenly Guide
Heavenly One
Holy Comforter
Holy Compassionate One, who restores our souls
Holy God
Holy One
Holy Savior
Holy Spirit
Jesus
Kindly Lord
Lord
Lord Jesus
Lord of All
Loving God
Loving Teacher
Magnificent Lord
Maker of all things life-giving and timeless
Master of all, judge of people and nations
Merciful Lord
Mighty Advocate
Mighty God
Nurturing Lord
O Commander of our souls
O God
O God of Wisdom
O Holy Spirit
O Lord
Omnipotent God
Omnipresent God
Omniscient God
O Spirit, our sustainer
Our Father who dwells in heaven
Our Redeemer
Patient Lord
Protector of Peace
Redeemer
Redeeming Lord
Righteous Lord
Ruler of Nations
Shepherd of the sheep
Son of our Creator
Sweet Jesus
Teacher
Triumphant Lord
Truest Neighbor
Understanding Jesus
Vivacious Creator

Bullet

As I write this post tonight, Bullet the Dog is making his nightly rounds. He asks me to let him out. He runs around the house and marks his territory, comes back inside, drinks some water, begs for a bone, and repeats this cycle until he is satisfied. When he is satisfied, he finds my dad, prepares his place, and goes to sleep. If my dad moves to another room, Bullet moves with him. For the rest of the night, wherever my dad is, there Bullet will be. Once his basic needs are met, Bullet’s only concern is being with the person he loves most in the world…because, ultimately, he knows that that person loves and will take care of him. And my dad does love Bullet…

I’ve said this before, but I can’t help but say it again. I wonder what would happen if we lived more like Bullet—in total love and adoration of our Master who is not only our Provider but our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. I wonder what would happen if we lived more like the dog in this picture—in total contentment just to be—not missing the beauty or sacredness of the moment due to worries—but breathing through the movement or stillness and taking it all in…

Prayer of the Year

Each year at the beginning of the school year, I write a prayer to place on my desk for the year. As I was setting up my room today, I saw last year’s prayer still on my desk. For the first time, I decided to leave my prayer the same two years in a row. It may be simple, but I think it says all that I need to say. Maybe it says what you need to say, too, dear friend:

Dear God,
Help.
Help me be who you want me to be and to do what you want me to do.
And help me remember that I am exactly where I need to be because it is where I am.
I love you.
So much.
Amen.

Show Up For Your People

In joy and sorrow;
heartache and grief;
celebration and transition;
beginnings and endings;
life and death—
Sometimes the only thing we can do is show up.
Show up for your people, friends.
And let them show up for you.
Watch and wait.
Pray.
Place your feet firmly on the ground and
Breathe deep.
For being together on this journey is what Love is all about.

And So I Keep Writing

8.12.19—And So I Keep Writing

I have the privilege of being friends with quite a few of my former students. I love seeing how they’ve grown and what they’re doing with their lives. I have students in the military, students who are teachers, students who are parents, students who are artists. One of the latter posted a picture last week that really spoke to me. It said: “Artists are people driven by the tension between the desire to communicate and the desire to hide.”

I get that. There are times when I feel like I have so much to say—and I want to say it. But there are other times when I feel as if I’ve got nothing to say (or maybe I’ve got too much to say)—and I want to hide. Lately, I’ve been in a place of hiding, and writing has been hard.

Evenso, I know that I need to write. I know that I need to keep up this discipline even though it is hard.

Romans 5 says: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

And so I keep writing…hoping that somehow I will find and offer hope…because hope does not put us to shame…even when the world seems dark and there don’t seem to be enough words to say.

Litany of Thanksgiving

It’s easy to be discouraged these days. Turn on the news. Read the newspaper or glance at the headlines online. There is a lot of darkness. A lot of anger and pain. A lot of division and hurt. A lot of doubt and uncertainty. A lot of wondering where God is and what God is doing. And yet. There is much for which to be grateful.

I spent last week in the mountains leading worship for a children’s camp. In preparation for worship, God laid upon my heart to lead a service of thankfulness. I updated the following litany from a book of worship from the 1950s. Thankfulness and praise are timeless and necessary…especially in times like these. Will you join me in this praying this litany tonight?

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For the rains of spring, the sunshine summer, the falling leaves of autumn, and the quiet snows of winter,
We lift up thankful hearts.
For all the workers in mines and fields, factories and offices, hospitals and schools, churches and battle fields, houses and shops, whose work has given us all that we truly need,
We lift up thankful hearts.
For all the dreamers in every land and age, whose creativity has given us music, poetry, and art to connect us to one another and this world,
We lift up thankful hearts.
For the love of our friends and family members, whose presence brings peace and assures us that our lives have value for others,
We lift up thankful hearts.
For the privilege of school, where we have the opportunity learn and grow,
We lift up thankful hearts.
For the gift of life in this world, where we have the honor of loving You more and more each day,
We lift up thankful hearts.
Amen.

The Love Of God

Two nights ago, my mom and I finished a puzzle that a friend brought us from Disney World. We all started the puzzle together, worked on it individually, worked on it with kids, didn’t work on it for awhile, and finally finished it after a week’s worth of diligent work. It’s a double-sided puzzle with images from the movie “Up” on each side. The love that Carl and Ellie share is clear in each image…

Sara Groves is my favorite. Her latest full-length album, “Abide With Me,” is a compilation of hymns, and for the past week or more I have one particular hymn stuck in my head: “The Love of God.” She didn’t write the hymn, but her arrangement has made the song accessible to me, and I absolutely adore the second verse. It reads:

“Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made
Were every tree on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky”

Did you catch that? If every tree in the world were a pen and every person in the world a scribe and every ocean in the world ink and all the sky a scroll…there still wouldn’t be enough people, paper, pens, or ink to capture and contain the love of God!

In other words…
The love of God is bigger than the Carl and Ellie’s of the world,
The young couples in love and the old couples married for 50 years.
It’s bigger than
friends and family,
puzzles and laughter,
work and play,
music and poetry,
politics and religion,
sin and judgment,
gay and straight,
black and white,
race and culture,
rich and poor,
The love of God—
“How rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.”

I don’t know about you…but I’m so thankful for the Love of God.

Amen?
And Amen.

Help Me To Love

One thing I learned on my trip to Romania: Foreign mission trips can easily serve as a pressure cooker for a person to face all of her issues. In just one week, I found myself looking in the eye my fear of failure. I struggled with my need to feel wanted, my ugly desire to be important, my equally ugly desire to be the best, and my frustrating insecurities in being liked. I also realized something that slapped me in the face—as much as I try to love, I miss the mark every day.

The devotion book that I took to Romania was Henry Drummond’s “The Greatest Thing In The World.” I’d read the book a few years ago and was profoundly moved by its words. I find myself profoundly moved once again, and this time I am making sure to absorb every ounce of the dense text. It seems as if each paragraph that I read in Romania spoke to an issue that I was struggling with that day. I found myself in tears more than once. And from my tears—from the pressure cooker of Romania—I wrote this prayer. I pray that it will be your prayer, too, if you, too, indeed, fall short of Love.

A slap in the face.
I claim to be a person of love. Yet if
Love is patient and kind;
If it does not envy, boast, or demonstrate pride;
If it does not dishonor others or manifest as self-seeking;
If it is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs;
If Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth and
If it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres;
Then I am not truly a person of love.
God, forgive me for falling short,
For being envious and proud,
Self-centered and skeptical,
Short-tempered and long-remembering,
Condemning and judgmental,
And help me to love in Love’s fullness
From this day forward.
Amen.

Real Mashed Potatoes

It’s easy to take shortcuts.
Isn’t that what half of todays’
products and businesses are for?
Fast food.
Fast cars.
Quick cash.
Quick credit.
Disposable razors.
Disposable relationships.
Instant route recalculation.
Instant mashed potatoes.
But sometimes we want real mashed potatoes.
So sometimes we need to wash away the dirt,
Cut away the bad spots,
Feel the steam and heat, and
Taste and re-taste until we get the salt, butter, and cream just right.
It’s easy to take shortcuts.
But sometimes...
Well,
Sometimes we just need do the work for real mashed potatoes.

Angel Hair Pasta

I gave her a hand-carved antique piano key. My brother and his family gave her a nice handbag and bath salts and hosted a delicious birthday meal. My sister and her family gave her printed family portraits and Amelia made a beautiful birthday cake. But out of all of the gifts she received for her birthday this year, my mom’s favorite birthday present was a box of pot-sized angel hair pasta.

One of the dishes that my mom always makes the grandkids is spaghetti. It’s easy and all of the grandkids like it, so it has become an expected go-to every time the kids come to visit.

While some people leave their spaghetti noodles the length of the box, my mom always breaks the noodles in half so that they fit in the pot. Evidently, Amelia noticed my mom doing this the last time she was here and took note of the struggle that it can be to get the noodles evenly broken and in the pot all at the same time.

So when Amelia and her mom went shopping for birthday cake supplies last week and Amelia saw a box of pot-sized pasta for the first time, she immediately knew that she wanted to buy it for her Nana.

It doesn’t matter that we already have a box of pot-sized pasta in our cupboard. It doesn’t matter that we usually use vermicelli instead of angel hair pasta. It doesn’t matter that the gift cost no more than $2. What matters is that that box of pot-sized pasta was exactly what my mom needed to feel loved. Amelia had seen my mom, recognized her need, and sought to fill it without thinking twice.

Isn’t that we all desire? To be seen, recognized, and loved exactly where and how we are?

I doubt it’s a box of pot-sized angel hair pasta, but what is something that you have received at just the right time recently? Who is someone who has seen you and given you something priceless—whether that gift be something tangible or something we cannot see?

…


Now take that gratefulness, turn it around, and find your own box of pot-sized angel hair pasta to give to someone this week. Do it for Amelia. Do it for Love.

Letting Things Go

6.27.19—Letting Things Go

Some people are good at letting things go. They look an object, assess its importance in their life, decide whether it has served its purpose, hold on to it if it hasn’t, but release it if it has. Other people aren’t so good at letting things go. They look at an object, think about where it came from, connect it to a person or memory, get lost in the story, and then cannot bring themselves to let it go—unless it is quite clearly trash. I am most definitely the latter.

If you come to my house, then you will find yourself surrounded by art, trinkets, practical items, and collectibles that all have meaning to me. Or, if they don’t have a particular meaning, then “they just make me smile” as G-mama once said. While I’ve drastically slowed down my Hallmark and Thrift Store purchases this year, I still have a huge collection of “things” that connect to memories that allow me to think of, celebrate, and pray for people from throughout my life. This is important to me.

So letting go of things is very difficult for me. It is an emotional process that takes time and energy that I don’t often have. But this week I’ve had it. And I’ve been trying something that a dear friend did years ago: She let go of seven items per day. The items didn’t have to be big. Some could be donated; some could be thrown away. But she got rid of seven items per day. And, in time, those seven items added up to many of items that added up to less clutter, more space, and more freedom.

I doubt that I’ll ever be good at letting things go. I don’t let people go very easily either. I know that there is a time and place for everything under the sun—including stuff and relationships. But I still struggle to let go. I care too much. Everything in life is connected in my mind. It’s how I take in information—through intuition and connections—and it’s how I process information as well—through feelings and relationships.

And yet…I don’t want to be weighed down by stuff—by only memories—by things of the past. I want to be free to live now—to move forward—and to make more memories. And so I’m trying. The process is slow. But I’m trying. At least seven items per day…

I used to struggle with fancy coloring books. I’d get overwhelmed by the task of choosing colors for the images. A friend suggested that I limit the colors to 3-5 per page—no matter what the image. In so doing, the task of coloring suddenly became doable…

What is something through which you are slowly making your way? What is something that you struggle to do, and yet you’re doing it anyway? What is something you are breaking into smaller parts so that you can accomplish the whole?

Just seven items per day. Just 3-5 colors. You can do it. I believe that you can.

Gaming

Griffin and Amelia spent a few days with us last week. We played a lot of games and watched a lot of American Ninja Warrior until finally Griffin requested Super Mario Brothers on Nintendo.

Growing up, I spent many hours playing Nintendo (and before that, Atari). We even had a special green couch called the Atari Couch because of the countless hours of butt time we logged playing video games.

My favorite Atari game was Megamania. My favorite Nintendo game was Metroid. But that doesn’t mean that I didn’t like Super Mario Brothers or that I hesitated to hook up the Nintendo per Griffin’s request.

Here’s the funny thing. I was the first person to play a round of Mario…and I’m still playing games long after Griffin and Amelia’s departure last week! I’ve ever gotten out Metroid and I’m determined to try to beat it again…if I can remember how. Metroid is very intricate. It even has passwords to start you back close to where you left off. And the super cool thing? The hero is a girl!

Games are important. They can teach patience, perseverance, cooperation, taking turns, thinking skills, and the difference between fantasy and reality…as long as there is a balance between fantasy and reality and the game does not take over a person’s real, tangible life.

So what about you? Did you have a gaming system growing up? What was it and what were your favorite games? If not, what games did you play outside or sitting around the table with your family? Some of the other games that we played last week were Dixit, Five Second Rule, Racko, Pictionary, and Don’t Say It. Have you ever heard of those? What are some games that you like to play with your family these days? I’d love to hear.

Newly Cleaned Shoes

A few weeks ago, I made a post about my shoes. Since making that post, I have had more people than I thought possible actually care about my footwear! The downfall to this interest is that more people than ever notice when my legs aren’t shaved—which is most of the time—and when my shoes are dirty—which was evidently the case until today.

Because they’re on their second season, my yellow shoes had taken some hits. They were starting to look really rough, so I decided to try out something that I’d heard—that you can wash them in the dishwasher. Sure enough, I threw them in the dishwasher with this morning’s load of dishes and they came out looking practically brand new!

As I look at the before and after pictures of my yellow shoes, I am reminded that sometimes we need to take the time to wash ourselves as well. Literally? Yes. Sometimes we are actually dirty. But figuratively is more of what I was thinking. Sometimes we need to take the time to specifically work on cleaning up the dirt and grime of bitterness, jealousy, envy, grudges, clutter, heartache, and negative thinking. No. This figurative clean-up isn’t always as easy as jumping into the dishwasher, but it IS as easy as admitting that we need help, asking God—and maybe even our friends and family—to help us, and then trying to do something different than we’ve done before.

I will think about this figurative clean when I look at my newly cleaned yellow shoes. I’ve got some things that I need to clean up in my own life. What about you?

Interview with G-mama

G-mama, age 97, today!
Dee, age 41 11/12
Stanley, age 10 5/6

In honor of G-mama’s birthday today, I conducted a brief interview. Here are some of the highlights.

What is your favorite color? Pink

What is your all-time favorite book? The Bible.

What is your all-time favorite movie? Gone with the Wind.

What was your most memorable family vacation? We had a lot of those. But probably the one at the beach when Dana told us that they were expecting Amelia.

What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in your 97 years? Electricity. Transportation. Plumbing. I’ll never forget being with mama one time when there was snow on the ground and everything outside was frozen. We flushed the commode and all of that stuff came back up into the tub. I cried and cried and Mama looked at me and said, “Nina don’t cry, not everyone even has plumbing to back up.”

What activities and music were popular when you were a teenager? That’s so long ago that I don’t remember! I do remember Kay Kyser. He was a big band leader. We didn’t have a radio inside at first, but I’d go sit and listen on daddy’s car radio. And then we got one of those little round top radios.

Do you remember any of your teacher’s names? Oh yes. Mrs. Harrison taught me 1st and 2nd grade. Mrs. Bowen taught me 5th grade. Mrs. Sawyer taught me 3rd grade. And Mrs. McGowen taught me French in high school. She was a little tiny girl from SC, and she was strict! She married a lawyer from Warrenton. I also had a man who taught history—or he pretended. He didn’t teach much at all. All you had to do was write a long paper. He never read it, but he’d give you an A. He was just out of college. Mr. Cooper was the principal.

What else do you remember about school? We had 11th grade graduation. That’s the time when they were consolidating and putting in a 12th grade. So I graduated from 11th grade and then went back and took college classes. I took typing and business arithmetic. A whole heavy load. And then I graduated 12th grade. And then I took the rest of my college courses when I went to Campbell to even it out. I got the 2-year certificate from Campbell but I only went one year.

What is something you remember about going to Campbell? Going to chapel one week and learning about etiquette! I remember it vividly. They taught us how to fold a napkin, how to sit down and stand up, how boys should hold the door, how to pass to the right—not left. It was full etiquette talk, right in the middle of chapel!

What was your first job? They had something for all the poor country folks. The WPA—Works Progress Administration. That’s what the men did. They made all the roads and such. The summer after I finished at Campbell, I was the secretary to the lady in charge of Warren and Halifax counties.

What drew you to G-daddy? I don’t know how you answer that. We were in class together and he picked up pencils that rolled off of my desk. He was the TA. And I don’t know how to describe it. But it just happened. I reckon it was the way the Lord made us.

What is one of your most vivid memories with G-daddy? On the last day of school at Campbell, Mr. and Mrs. Kidd drove up to get June. He had picked out a bracelet for me but didn’t have enough money to pay for it so they bought it for him. Then we rode down the road to a little church in Angier and he gave me the bracelet. That was goodbye for the summer. I didn’t know if I’d see him again. When do you ever know if you’ll see someone again? But then he came to visit on July 4th of that summer. And then again after I’d gotten a job in Angier. And then we got married.
What is something about you that most people don’t know? I couldn’t sing. I tried to sing. I wasn’t good enough for Glee club.
What advice do you have for young people today? Try to go to church and follow the Bible teachings. And take care of yourself by eating, sleeping, exercising.

Fruit Of The Spirit--Baccalaureate Sermon

I went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch today. As I paid at the drive-thru window, the cashier said, “I think you spoke at my Baccalaureate service last night. You did a good job.” I smiled and thanked her for the compliment and then drove away amazed. A teenager had just freely and willingly complimented me!

I did, indeed, speak at a Baccalaureate service last night. I was asked last Thursday. The message that God laid on my heart during Saturday night’s rainstorm (which is when this picture was made) was non-traditional for a Baccalaureate service, but I hope that it will stick with the students and families that were there last night—and with you right now if you choose to read to the bottom of this post. It is long. But here is my message, “Fruit That Will Last.”

~~~~~

Around the time that you all entered this world, I was involved in a scripture memorization project with a friend. One week, she would choose a verse or passage of scripture to memorize. The next week, I would do the same. We continued this for an entire year.

One of the passages that I chose for us to memorize was the passage that you just heard, John 15:9-17. Now, I'd be lying if I told you that I could still quote the passage word-for-word. I cannot! But I can still quote phrases from the passage and I know that it is one of the passages of scripture that I fall back on time and time again.

Let’s listen to the passage again.

9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit-fruit that will last-and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17This is my command: Love each other…

I can’t be sure, but I imagine that the past few weeks have been full of activity and emotion as you have finally accomplished a goal that you’ve held for 13 years. Last week, at Kindergarten graduation, one of my Kindergarten students announced that his favorite part of Kindergarten was that everyone in his family had attended Kindergarten and that he had been able to carry on the family tradition 😊. In completing high school, some of you have carried on a family tradition while others of you have created a new family tradition. Either way, you have accomplished a huge goal, and for that you should be proud.

Yet accomplishments bring change…and change can be scary. At the time that Jesus delivered these words of scripture, he and his disciples were preparing for a huge change. Jesus knew that the end of his life was near and he wanted to teach his disciples everything that he could to prepare them for his absence. Together, they had accomplished a lot, yet the time had come for Jesus to leave them. So what did he tell them to do in his absence? What were some of his final words of teaching on this earth? Love one another.

And what’s more. What did he call them? He called them friends. Jesus calls us friends!

I think it’s safe to say that we all know the importance of having friends. Friends love and support us. Friends laugh and cry with us. Friends give us rides and show up for us when we need them. Friends stick with us despite our shortcomings. Friends help make life bearable when things are at their darkest.

Sometimes friends come and friends go. That is one of the hardest things I’ve had to learn. Sometimes friendships are temporary—for a reason or for a season. And that’s okay. Yet some friendships are forever. Your friendship with Christ is for forever. It’s important that you don’t forget that, students…because as life changes over the next few months and years, you will need your friends…and you will need Jesus.

What’s more, you will need to remember what Jesus said about laying down your life for your friends. There will be so many times in your future that you feel helpless to help those you love. Whether you plan to go to college, to serve in the military, or to go directly into the workforce, you will find yourself surrounded by people you call friends. You will need each other, yet sometimes the only thing you will be able to do for each other is to lay down your life in prayer.

I cannot tell you how many times I remind myself of these words—greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. When your hands are tied. When your heart is breaking. When you are watching someone fail for the first time. When you feel as if you can do nothing else. Lay down your life in prayer for your friends, students. Jesus has laid down his life for you…and he has sent the Holy Spirit to intercede for you when you cannot find the words to pray…for your friends…for your family....for yourself.

Speaking of yourself…did you notice what else Jesus said about you? Not only has Jesus called you friend, but he has chosen you—he has appointed you—to bear fruit—fruit that will last. No. Jesus does not necessarily expect you plant fruit trees that will produce a yearly harvest—although some of you will become farmers that provide the crops that help sustain us, and I thank you for that.

Jesus expects us to bear spiritual fruit—characteristics of the Spirit—that influence people’s lives from season to season. In Galatians 5, we read that the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Can you image what this world would look like if we all strived to live our lives according to those virtues?!

Listen to the list again—the list of fruit that Jesus has appointed us to bear—(insert motions with the words here)—Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control.

Now. I could go into what each of these words means and how you can apply them to your lives. But I’m not going to. Instead, I’m going to teach you a song that will teach you the Fruits of the Spirit that will get stuck in your head and allow you to ponder what each fruit means in your life. For instance, self-control for me might mean not eating too many Cheet-ohs when someone offers them 😊. For you, it will probably mean something else. So here we go. It’s time to learn The Fruits of the Spirit.

***TEACH FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT SONG***

Banana
Granny Smith Apple
Kiwi
Coconut
Georgia Peace
Mango

You’re welcome, everyone. May you never forget that little earworm…because…seriously, it summarizes what Jesus has called you to do with your life—regardless of accomplishment, award, vocation, or socio-economic status—Jesus has called you to bear fruit that will last…and that fruit is—say it with me one more time—Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. And self-control.

So…do you see why I chose to memorize John 15:9-17 all those years ago?

Jesus calls us friend.

Jesus tells us that when can do nothing else, we can lay down our lives for our friends.

Jesus challenges us to bear virtues that not only change the world but change us.

And, finally, Jesus commands us, above all else, to love each other.

He didn’t say to separate ourselves from one another because of differences. He said to love each other despite our differences because that is what He came to do.

Students: As you begin the next chapter of your life, I pray that you will remember that you are loved and called by a God who has chosen you—yes, YOU—to do great things in this world—the greatest of which is love.

There will be times when you are on a roll and cannot seem to do anything wrong. Then there will be other times when you run into wall after wall and feel as if you will never do anything right again.

Yet though it all, your call remains the same: Go and bear fruit, my friends, fruit that will last. For this is God’s command: Love each other.