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.
Monday, November 25, 2019
Thursday, November 21, 2019
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.
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.
Monday, November 18, 2019
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 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.
Friday, November 15, 2019
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?
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?
Monday, November 11, 2019
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.
Friday, November 8, 2019
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*)
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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.
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.
Monday, November 4, 2019
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.
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.
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