"On Being Schooled By A Child"

A general, common consensus is held that children are in need of being taught, that the adults are the ones with the knowledge, experience, and understanding, and the poor helpless little things know nothing.  There is no question our children need examples and role models, guidance and support.  However, as adults, we can learn a great deal from them.

Picking up the grandgirls from school, we had headed straight to a dental appointment, and I was catching up on the lives of a 4th- and a 6th-grader as we drove.  The conversations always have a lot of giggles interspersed, and the radio wasn't allowed to be turned on, as I wanted to visit with them. 

They took their homework into the office to work on while waiting.  "Do you know how to do exponents, Gram Gram?"  asked the older one.  I gulped, feigning bravado.

 “Well, let's look," I said.  Fortunately, enough math from long ago had remained, and we were able to work on it together.  Assignment completed.

"I'm going to need some help, Gram Gram.  Will you help me?" questioned the little one. 

"Of course."  She began working, and it was quickly apparent she really needed no help at all.  Legs propped up on an ottoman, notebook in her lap, she tackled the assignment, that of renaming numbers in a variety of ways. 

As she got to the bottom of the page, she peered up at me.  Very quietly, as though she was telling me a secret, she said, "We had a test, and we had to do this same kind of work.  When I finished, I wrote a little note to my teacher--'Thank you for teaching me these strategies.'  There was some space left on the page so I just wrote it."

To say I was dumbfounded, speechless would be an understatement.  What 9-year-old child even thinks that way?  This one does, and the beauty of it is that she has no idea how atypical her approach to people and to life is.  She's simply being herself.  This is who and what she is.   

The little pit bull took me to school yesterday. This time it was on the value of expressing appreciation and thanks.  But then she schools me often on other aspects of living a virtuous life as well.  

Some of life's greatest lessons are learned at the hands of, or from the mouths of, children.  Listen, pay attention, give them time and respect, and we are all enriched. 


"...and a little child shall lead them."  Isaiah 11:6
"I tell you the truth.  Unless you turn around and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 18:3









       

  

  

"On Grievances and Healing"

The thorn finally came to the surface, so it could readily be removed.  It was minute, not even the size of an eyelash, but it had been plaguing me for several weeks, and I had been unable to remove it.  I had probably got it when I was either cutting back roses or transferring the branches to my truck to haul away.  It was, however, firmly planted in a part of my thumb where I was aware of it daily, whenever pressure was applied.  The thing of it, though—the recovery mechanism of my body had healed over it, and it wasn’t even visible.  Felt, but unseen.

grievance:  something which causes grief; a wrong or hardship suffered, which is the ground of a complaint

Unresolved grievances are like thorns, slivers, stickers hidden within our beings.  They can’t be seen by looking at a person, as they are covered up, buried, invisible to the eye; however,  slight contact, a bit of pressure, and a reaction comes forth.  “Where did that come from?” an observer may wonder.

There are two categories of grievances:  those wrongs which are perceived and those which are valid. 

Perceived wrongs are exactly that—personal injury or hurt based on my perception, how I saw a situation or experience, not necessarily reality.  For example, the "rude" clerk or waitress who was abrupt, but had just received news of a terminal illness in her family; the vehicle which just cut traffic off, the driver going at breakneck speed, on his way to the emergency room.  None of these are personal. 

Those which are valid are exactly that—personal injury, damage, or hurt, physical or otherwise, at the hand of another.

But it does not matter a whit which of those we carry within.  Valid or perceived, if they are not dealt with, they fester and grow.

I daresay we have all had personal grievances we have carried, some for a lifetime.  They begin early in infancy, a baby expressing protest over the fact of being placed in bed against its will.  “It’s not fair,” is an often-heard outcry in a family, whether it’s due to a sibling being given favored treatment or being told “No.” 

Fast forward to adulthood, and things really don’t change.  Labor unions and employers have a detailed, intricate system to deal with issues of wrongdoing.  Business relationships, marriages, friendships--someone is always being hurt, or so it seems. 

In comparing one’s life with another, inequality in treatment, one's lot in life, is often an unspoken assessment. 

Have you heard the comment, “I may forgive, but I don’t forget?”  This is what I’m talking about--grievances which are held against another, be it a family member, a friend, employer, the government, a spouse, minister—the list is endless.  They stack up within, tainting one’s life.

There is another point to this discussion, though, and it is that of holding a grievance against God.  I maintain the crux of what we deem as personal is, in truth, directed toward Him.  It is not always an easy truth to see, and it means digging deep, but mankind is very angry with Him over the state of the world and everything in it.  "Why????" is the outcry. "Why is there so much hardship, tragedy, loss, poverty, war?"  There is a lack of understanding, and it becomes personal and  blame is cast on Him, not to be forgiven nor forgotten. 

How does one deal with grievance and experience healing, living free of the venom it produces and creates within a person?  How is one even aware?  Seek truth, seek light, seek life.  In that and that alone can healing take place and freedom be found. 

My thumb is healed.  I’m always pleasantly surprised at the difference removal of a finite object makes.  The same goes for the inner.     

     

 

"On Science vs. God"

In typical fashion, mankind has pitted God against science, science against God.  Man has a way of doing that, turning things into a competition, a war fought between two opposing sides.  It has to be "I'm right, you're wrong," with the church as guilty as those who are repulsed by all things religious.  Any quest for truth is put to the side as skirmishes take place, the "winner" reveling in a perceived victory.  

In a virtual standoff, the two contradicting sides stand with their weapons drawn--ready, willing and able to go to verbal battle for their cause--those espousing data and studies, education, and science with their sheepskin diplomas facing those with their faith and Bibles in hand.  The cacophony is deafening.

As creator of life and all that exists God is, indeed, the father of science; likewise, He is more than just written words to be lobbed through the air like cannonballs with no real direction or force. It would be wise, and only makes sense, for those in both positions to become acquainted with the author of all things before taking up arms and going to war.  Knowing Him vs. knowing about Him; what is vs. what I think. There is a difference.  

It's that truth thing.



     

"An Oxymoron"

oxymoron:  a contradiction in terms.

It is the nature of man to want to fix things, including himself.  Self-help, how-to books abound.   

“Always, ever—growing, changing.”  This was the thought as I headed out to begin my workday. 

Not all aspire to--or desire--change within themselves.  I’m not quite sure why that is.  Perhaps it is the “old shoe” or “old sweater” syndrome.  Living in the status quo can become very, very comfortable.  It is also very stagnant, dull, and boring.  Where there is life within, there is change; change is the evidence of life. 

How can it be that I have changed so, but I am the same?  That was the question under consideration as I plodded through weeds.  And then, I saw the truth of that.

Three years ago, I purchased a lovely birch tree with maroon-colored leaves.  It complements several other shrubs in my front yard, and I am able to see it from where I sit at my computer.  It was quite small when I got it, but it has grown to at least triple its original size.  That tree has changed dramatically, but it hasn’t changed at all.  The essence of it, the fact that it is a birch tree, is still there.  Its growth bears out that it is alive and thriving, visible for all to see. 

And so it is with me. In reality, my life has been a journey, one in which I have only begun to discover who I am.  I am not the same person I used to be; and yet I am.

I am still the little girl who loves Dairy Queen ice cream, who laughs too loudly and finds the volume of my voice increases when I am excited; one who loves creating things with my hands, who loves sunsets and the smell of babies.  I am that person who is competitive; one who delights in helping grandchildren learn.

As I live my life, the change is dramatic.  I am far removed from the person I used to be. Patience, where once I was impatient; flexibility replacing rigidity; being slow to anger where once there was a "short fuse."  I have learned to listen, to talk less,  to laugh at myself rather than at others, and to restrain from judging others. 

True change happens only at the Hand of our Creator.  I am grateful.    

"Forgive"

You took my broken heart, made it whole; took my shattered life, touched my soul.

You gave me hope, You gave me strength so I could carry on.

You wrapped me up into your arms, held me close, free from harm.

You filled a void in me, gave me eyes to see and peace within.

I was so all alone, no place to call my home.

I placed my life into Your hands, not knowing what You had planned.

You spoke into my ear, so soft I could barely hear:

“Forgive, my child; forgive and be healed.”

My heart sings out to thee eternally, the pain, the hurt a fading memory.

You spoke into my ear, so soft I could barely hear:

“Forgive, my child; forgive and be healed.”




"Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."  

"On 'The Summer of My Discontent'"

discontent:  dissatisfaction, a longing for better times or circumstances

It was one of those hands-and-knees kind of jobs.  The garden is quite large, with three levels, and I have not been diligent in maintaining it.  My clients are having a party in a few days, so it is “crunch time” to bring it back to its former glory.  Going deep in thought it came to me--Summer, 2015 has, so far, been "The Summer of My Discontent."  While “The Winter of Our Discontent,” a novel written by John Steinbeck, referenced the political climate of a country, this is personal.

In thinking about it, I would have to say it began in the Spring, this pervasive feeling, this sense of unease, and I have carried it with me into what is now mid-Summer.  Isn’t it interesting that these inner states become a companion, an old friend?  Where I go, it goes.

It isn’t depression; nor is it unhappiness.  It is an underlying feeling of being unsettled, of not being “at home,” that all is not well.

When life feels out of balance, man often needs to find a reason, a cause for such and then to “fix” it.  I know better than that. 

I could say that it is the heat which is causing the discontent, but our 2 ½-week-long heat wave of 90 degree plus temperatures has passed.  I could say it is the reality of my age, that of being a 70-something, of living life alone, my financial state, or the lack of time to pursue personal interests.  But I know better than that.

Several days ago, I experienced a great deal of pain in the arch of my foot.  It seemed to have come out of nowhere, and I was unable to identify a point in time when I could have injured it.  Placing any kind of pressure on it was difficult, and I walked with an obvious limp.  I knew a potentially serious situation was developing when I calculated how close I could park to the grocery store entrance and how many steps it would take to get there. 

Awakening in the middle of the night, I faced the truth of being unable to garden, which is my livelihood, if I am unable to walk.  It is that simple.  “Help me,” was the extent of my prayer. 

At some point during the night, I unconsciously massaged my upper leg.  The next morning, imagine my surprise to find the pain in my foot had alleviated.  Rubbing the foot had not helped; the base source of the problem was further up the leg.  It’s that “foot bone connected to the ankle bone, and the ankle bone connected to the leg bone” thing. 

The source of a situation or state, be it physical, emotional, or spiritual, is often far removed from what we would speculate, guess, or assume.

The world is in an upheaval.  Weather is changing, power is shifting, the rule of money and lawlessness has never been more evident.  Narcissism abounds with mankind concerned only about “me."  God is being rejected at every level from personal up and through government and is being replaced with self-service and self-glory.  Peace is absent in the land, and discontent permeates and is manifest everywhere.
  

I would like to say I have made it through this state of discontent, this malaise, that I received enlightenment and understanding as to what is going on within, that I experienced a moment of epiphany, but it isn’t so.  I would like to state that what I am sensing is the state and condition of the larger whole, the ominous cloud of despair covering the land, but I don't know if that is so either. 

What I do know is that I will "Just keep going," one basic precept by which I live my life.   When what I really want to do is to curl up in a ball and plant myself, it is one of my least favorite things to do.  But I shall, because, for me, it is the only way--I shall "Just keep going."

      

"Precept Upon Precept"

Living life with God.  Just how does one live life with One who is all knowing, all powerful, the Creator of all things?  First and foremost is the need for honesty, coming before Him with no pretense or excuses, no expectations or demands--simply coming to Him as I am.

He wants us to have a rich life, and He wants to be a part of that.  It is our choice to include Him or exclude Him.  As teacher, He shows us how to live and how to have a full, satisfying life.

The first step is the foundation, which is God.  In order to build on top of that foundation, He has given me these precepts, these building blocks.  I share them with you along with the challenge to seek for yourself and find the truth of them with Him.

precept:  a guiding principle or rule, esp. one that guides personal conduct

Precept #1:  ALL things are spiritual.

Precept #2:  Things are not as they seem to be.

Precept #3:  First things first--the inner first, then the outer.  The outer without the inner is worthless. 
"....do not worry saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?'  Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
But strive first for the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Precept #4:  If you don't make a decision, the decision is made for you.
"Whoever is not with me is against me."

Precept #5:  If you wait to see, you've waited too long.
"We walk by faith, not by sight."

Precept #6:  There is a better way.

Precept #7:  There are no skipped steps; there are no shortcuts.

Precept #8:  Just keep going.

Precept #9:  Not a moment too soon, not a moment too late.

Precept #10:  Stay in your own yard.

Precept #11:  Do not add to; do not take away from.

Precept #12:  In order to become a teacher, you must be willing to be taught.


"Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the wind blew upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."