SCHOOL DAZE

Sarah got a call from her neighbor. "My child's school just called. He's not feeling well. I'm too far away. Would you mind picking him up and keeping him at your house until I can get across town?" 

Sarah was happy to oblige her neighbor, besides, the little boy was very well-mannered and respectful. 

She arrived at the school and he was waiting in the office. The office manager was very pleasant, and said she'd made sure he had everything he needed to go home. Sarah was an empty nester, but had enough experience having to go back to pick up things her own children had forgotten at school. She thought she'd better go down the list. "Do you have your homework? Backpack? Notebook? Any toys? Coat? Sweater? Hat? Did you have Band class today? Where's your instrument?" The child exclaimed, "Oops! I forgot my flute!" Before she could say a word, he had hurried out of the office headed to his classroom. 

She was about 2 feet behind him as they walked down the corridor. As he approached his classroom, his classmates were lined up to go outside. They all greeted him. A few even told him, "I hope you feel better!" A rather disheveled woman was standing in the doorway with her back to Sarah and the child. The woman seemed annoyed that the children were talking and began pointing toward the open door that led to the playground. She looked down and saw the child as he entered the room, glared, and snapped, "What are YOU doing back in here!?" The child, without stopping replied, "I left my flute". He didn't seem to be deterred or offended by the woman's demeanor. Sarah remembered what Joyce Meyer said: "Children have an ability to rebound. I mean, they get over things quickly, but we seem to get stuck." Sarah was momentarily dazed. She startled the woman as she stepped from behind and faced her. She was offended, and didn't like the tone the woman used with the child at all. Not seeing any other adults around, she asked "Are you his teacher?" The woman managed to stutter a "Yes". Sarah extended her hand, introduced herself as the child's neighbor, and said she would be taking him home. The teacher seemed angry and flustered at first, but was unsuccessfully trying to adjust her face to a more pleasant expression. It was too late. The damage had already been done. Sarah wasn't smiling, either. She hated judging the teacher, but she wondered when teachers stopped bothering to dress professionally. The teacher looked as if she'd just rolled out of bed, raked leaves, and jogged to work. 

The child, flute in hand, joined Sarah and they headed back down the corridor. Sarah was concerned. She was there to pick up a sick child, and the teacher's demeanor was unsympathetic and abrasive. She wondered if she was just having a bad day, or if what she witnessed was a pattern of behavior. Sarah sensed that the teacher didn't like the child. Sarah wondered if she should share her thoughts with her neighbor--or even the principal. She didn't want to make a big deal out of nothing. Maybe her startling the teacher was a wake up call for her to mind how she spoke not only to her little neighbor but to all of the children. 

As they headed back down the corridor, Sarah felt compelled to ask him, "Is your teacher a nice lady?" "Sometimes", the child replied. Once they got outside, Sarah noted that the child didn't seem the least bit ill.

Sarah was concerned that such a good student was so anxious to leave school. When they got to her house, she served him lunch. He did his homework with such enthusiasm that she was amazed. When she asked him how he felt, he said that whatever had been served in the cafeteria had nauseated him. "It just smelled really bad and all of a sudden my stomach was hurting. I told my teacher and she sent me to the principal's office. That's when I called my mom--and then you came. Can I have some more french fries?"

He didn't seem to want to talk about school anymore. She decided she'd tell her neighbor about the encounter with the teacher. Maybe it was nothing, but she couldn't get the tone of the teacher's voice out of her head. She thought about her own teachers, and her children's teachers. For the most part they'd been endearing, kind, and professional, but never hostile. 

"When a child likes school as much as he does, it's a shame if he's being discouraged from wanting to be there", she thought."Why would anyone, let alone a teacher, want to break the spirit of a child?"

WEDNESDAY THOUGHTS: THINK FOR YOURSELF

There are a lot of things to stay "woke" about.

Loneliness, alienation, jealousy, insecurity, ignorance, and the need to control, or be the center of attention, will motivate some to pit the people in their lives against each other. 

Ask yourself who is at odds with you, and why. If it's not because of anything either of you have done, there's probably someone with a big mouth, and an even bigger agenda, who's been feeding the both of you. It may sadden and surprise you when you find out who it is. 

If you're going to have enemies, at least let it be your idea.

Some people tend to immediately act on what they've been told by those who they believe are credible, sane, and honest. They act without exercising discernment. They thoughtlessly take on the fights of others as if they were their own. They waste a lot of good shade that could be thrown where it belongs. There's an alliance they want to keep. Doing so means abandoning the ability to think for themselves. There is a fear of disagreement. A dissenting opinion may sever the relationship. When there is some payoff, many people will fiercely defend what they know is neither right, nor fair.

Many act on what they want to believe about those they don't even know. They become appalled by what they hear from a single, trusted source, and abandon the issues in their own lives that require--no-- DEMAND all of their attention. They become indignant; angry, and go barrelling into the lives and affairs of others. They've got a piece of their minds to give, that they will soon wish they'd kept for themselves.

Armed with what they are sure is the truth, they boldly confront others. Without any real authorization, they've been empowered to correct, mediate, interrogate, manage, reprimand, fix, and save the day. They think they have a right to do so. 

They are in for such a rude awakening.

People do what you allow. When you invite strife-loving people into your life; when you lie, gossip, and sow seeds of discord, you amass a small army founded on error. That army takes its marching orders from YOU, and when you demonize others, that army doesn't even think. They follow your lead. They defend you. They mistreat others on your behalf. What they don't bank on, is you not being the bastion of integrity they imagined. They don't really want to hear that the tales you tell, and ideas you espouse have no basis in truth. 

The potential to wreck your personal and professional relationships is tremendous when you lie--especially when the people who know the truth are still breathing...and capable of speaking...and have proof of your aversion to peace and harmony. 

You can't be shocked and bewildered when the trouble you started (because you couldn't or wouldn't keep your mouth shut) finds its way back to your doorstep, and the people you thought were your allies begin to distance themselves.

It is wise to obtain all angles of an issue before forming an opinion, taking a side, or charging in with your two cents. It's not always necessary to do or say something about what you hear. You can really get your feelings hurt, damage your own reputation, and tarnish your credibility by hopping onto the wrong bandwagon for all the wrong reasons. 

Liking and loving people doesn't mean you will always agree. Failing to speak truth to power--or even your family, friends, neighbors, etc., can backfire.

Think for yourself, search your own heart for error, and make sure your motives are pure. 

Where, and to what and to whom you pledge your allegiance, matters. 

Stand on the side of right--even of no one else joins you.

FRIDAY THOUGHTS: AUNT BEE, TOO?

I was a little weary of watching the news tonight...a motorcycle chase...riots...endless pundits arguing, in shock about, and trying to explain the election results...stories of anxious, fearful children worried whether their parents will be deported...reminders of the murders in Paris...It was too much.

 

I love classic television shows. 

I suppose it's for their innocence, subtlety, and ability to still inspire laughter. 

I changed the channel to TV Land for some comic relief, but there was usually pleasant Aunt Bee and her Mayberry lady friends furiously screaming at Andy about injustice, insensitivity and greed, and for not trying to save Mr. Frisbee's property from being condemned. 

They were waving picket signs, protesting, and loudly chanting "Stand your ground!"; " Move us, too!" 

When the bulldozer arrived, they were determined not to budge. When Barney tried to calm them by suggesting a song, they chanted, "We will not sing! We will NOT sing!"

So much for that...whew. 

#EvenAuntBeeIsMad  

#channelsurfing 

#random  

#relaxrelaterelease

THURSDAY THOUGHTS: DREAM JOURNAL: MOMMY

In my dream last night, my mother was so fit! She even seemed taller and younger. Her hair was pulled up in a bun, and her skin was radiant. 

She was wearing a silky maxi dress, and carrying a bundle of white laundry as she quickly walked through the family room of the basement. 

I don't know if they were towels or sheets, but they were gleaming. (They reminded me of the immaculate way she'd always kept our home.) 

As she headed up the stairs, I could see the "V" neckline of the back of her dress, and wondered if she'd made it herself. 

The seams were perfectly straight and evenly spaced.

She was so beautiful!

Then she said, without stopping, "So. Where are the brown shoes you were going to give me?" 

I answered, "Brown shoes?" 

Then I remembered the sandals I bought online this summer. I've only worn them once. (They really do look like the style of shoe she would have worn. They're kind of narrow, too. I have to remind myself to let my cousin Frannie try them on the next time she stops by.) 

I removed the shoes out of the pockets of the shoe bag, then rushed to the bottom of the stairs to catch her, but she seemed determined to get the bundle where it belonged. I couldn’t catch her!

I started to say something as I extended one shoe, but I couldn't get the words out. I thought she would turn around, but she reached the top of the stairs, and headed down the hallway.
Then I woke up...

I really miss my Mom. 

IN MY DREAMS

In every dream, she’s graceful and smiling

She’s always busying herself with one thing or another

But she’s free and happy

She moves as if nothing is hindering her

There is no sign of stress

No worry

No fear or pain

She is radiant and strong

Her voice is cheerful

She is healed and whole

She is flawless

She never stays for long

But it is always wonderful to see her

In my dreams

CAREGIVER DIARIES: THURSDAY THOUGHTS: BE ENCOURAGED

I love the beginning of Philippians 4. 

"Be anxious for nothing..."
Nothing.
No thing.
Not anything.
Naught.
Zip.
Zero.

Then, the passage goes on to tell you how to have peace. Read it. It'll change your life.

Oh, sure. There are things that get on your nerves; make you fret, and want to throw up your hands. 

As a caregiver, I have stories. People can be a trip sometimes, but a very wise woman told me, "You can't let people get you all upset. Just do what you know is right; make sure your heart is in the right place, and keep it moving."
 
God's sovereignty, mode of operation, and principles have not changed since Tuesday. 

His expectations of those who say they know and love Him, haven't either. He has not taken a direct or fatal hit. Read His word. The results of the election didn't rattle Him a bit. Don't let them rattle you, either. 
Whether your preferred candidate won or lost, don't let it motivate you into being or doing anything that would not please the one in whose hands you have always been.

Read the back of the book. 
Love wins. 
Keep doin' what you've been doing.
 

WEDNESDAY THOUGHTS: POETRY PROMPT---DECISIONS

Some are celebrating now

Some are contemplating, “How?”

Some, are not surprised

Some are not the least bit sad; alarmed

Though some do ponder why

Either opposing side

Would make a choice

That has potential for great harm

There’s a silent need

That with desperate speed

Has been moving, longing, 

Waiting to be heard

When things change, I’ve found

Those who’ve been kicked around

Start to fear that what they’ve known

May not return

So they hear, but they

Put all listening away

Scenes of yesterday revive them

And they’re off!

Anything that seems

To give life to their dreams

Is a blow to others--

Be it hard, or soft

It’s about control

Survival is the goal

A longing for a time when

For them, all was great

Problem is, that they

Wore blinders; closed their ears

When others suffered

As they cherished a full plate

Perhaps it would be wise

To consider all sides

Of an issue

Even if some sides are flawed

And not give power to

What will discourage you

And still have hope

When there seems little to applaud

 vrw©2016

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