Cure for the Common Life

I was privileged to attend an unusual birthday celebration last week. The birthday girl is a single mom, and her life was hard even before she became a paraplegic about eighteen months ago. She is on our church's outreach list, but only a few people in our group knew her. We discussed what we might do to get better acquainted, and hit on a plan to visit her for a cook-out. Christy gave us her enthusiastic permission, and last Friday evening we loaded up a grill, ice chest, tables, chairs, food, and birthday gifts and carpooled to her home.

It wasn't a typical way for the young adults in our class to spend a Friday evening, but they participated whole-heartedly. Maybe it's because we've been working our way through Max Lucado's book Cure for the Common Life, but what I took away from that evening was how beautifully each individual's gifts and talents sparkled in their ministry to Christy. Each person made a unique and indispensable contribution to the evening. Christy said it was the best birthday she'd ever had.

That is how the body of Christ is supposed to work. It was a moving thing to witness.

New Kid on the Block

This week marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I moved from a job as special education teacher at Zwolle Elementary to 4th grade teacher at Many Junior High. I must be getting old, because it seems like a BIG change. When I get everything together, I think it will make life simpler, but right now things are a little hectic. In the midst of it all, there's a lot to be thankful for.

My new co-workers have been so warm and helpful. Many of them are Christians, and that makes all the difference. Our family is saving time and money on the daily commute, and I get to be with the kids both before and after school. Brooke walks over from the high school, and we can catch up on her day while Brayden is at football practice. (Brooke also is willing to grade papers and help out -- all it costs me is snack money! :o)

Right now I have 22 students: a few with special needs, some with challenging home situations, and several who are very bright. All of them will stretch me in different ways, and I pray I will make a positive impact on their lives.

The night before school began, I was in pain from a root canal gone bad and definitely not psyched for the first day of school! It meant a lot to have several people remind me that they were praying for me. As I opened my Bible late that night, it fell open to Psalm 37. I read those familiar words in the old King James version, and they spoke to me with freshness and promise. The next day I realized I was experiencing God's strength in my weakness.

I'm also new on the "Facebook" block. (Blake would be ashamed of me, I'm sure, and Brooke thinks I'm hopelessly age-inappropriate.) To my children/critics, I will explain in my defense that it appears to be a great way to touch base with friends scattered all over the country. It's been good to hear from several old friends in the past few days. I just have to be sure that I don't get carried away in my pursuit of connecting, especially since I live in the sticks where dial-up is ever so slow.

There's something rejuvenating about being "new" at my age. God's mercies are new every morning!

Happy Birthday, Brayden!

In LSU country, Brayden is BSU's biggest fan,

and lover of all things blue and orange!

Happy 12th birthday, Brayden. And pardon me for feeling a little sentimental today. In many cultures there are special ceremonies for boys your age, and I can understand why. Somehow in the past year, you've become a young man instead of a child.

You're taller and your shoulders are broader, but you've grown in so many other ways as well. You are more responsible, more thoughtful, more caring. You are fun to be with. (Oh, and of course, you're a better ball player and are well on your way to becoming a great trumpet player!) There is never a dull moment when you are around! Best of all, you are spending time in God's Word, and it is changing you from the inside out. I see in you today the promise of the man I pray you will become.

Many years ago, before I even dreamed of you, I discovered a prayer written by General Douglas McArthur. I claimed it for your older brothers, and I claim it especially today for you. Here is an adapted version:

"Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid. One who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.

"Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know that to know You is the foundation stone of knowledge.

"When you lead him to face the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge, may he learn to stand up in the storm. Here may he learn compassion for those who fail.

"Build me a son whose heart will be clear and whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to cry; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

"And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously.

"Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength through the power of Jesus working in and through him. Amen."

I am proud to be your mom, and I love you more than you can know. Have a wonderful birthday. Just stop growing up so fast!