Pens, check. Notebook paper, check. That’s it for me. If my children show up at school with something to write with and on, my job is done. Back-to-school and Christmas are my favorite seasons for minimalism. As things are, forging through WalMart in August has come to resemble December’s mania. When did back-to-school shopping become a blood sport? When did a school supply list become a two page downloadable document? Holy cow, when did I start longing for the “good old days”?
This season brings to mind the gratitude I feel for those who teach, especially those who homeschool. When my youngest started kindergarten, I was dancing in the street as the school bus pulled away with my precious cargo. The patience required to teach children is a trait I only hope to have in heaven. For now, I praise God for others with the gift of leading children through the maze of becoming educated. To nurture the heart and mind of a child is a pearl of greatest price in my book.
As America’s youth relinquish the remote(s), get their heads out of the fridge and head back to school, I thank God for the men and women who teach them. I will think of them as my grocery bills shrink back to their pre-summer baseline. With each afternoon of uninterrupted work time, I will sing, "Hosanna!" on their behalf. For those who are homeschooling, please know there’s a nurse in Virginia who would empty a dozen bedpans to sidestep the tasks before you this week. How great is our God who has gifted each of us for the many and varied tasks required to build His Kingdom!
May you feel His grace today,
Gail W.
The last Word:
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.
Romans 12: 4-6, NIV.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
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3 comments:
These entries are just awesome!! I particularly like this part. It also made me laugh out loud! "As things are, forging through WalMart in August has come to resemble December’s mania. When did back-to-school shopping become a blood sport? When did a school supply list become a two page downloadable document? Holy cow, when did I start longing for the “good old days”? I love the blog too about God using me up, and although I was sad to hear about Steve Chapman's daughter, I never would have known about the CNN interview without your blog. Thanks so much!! Karen M.
Love the bedpans! That's hilarious!!!
Gail...I would be right there along with you "emptying"...Even though it has been YEARS since I had the young ones to send off to school...I can well remember those days! I have my grandsons over and think to myself..."whew! Those teachers need to be paid DOUBLE!
You always have the neatest things here! I love just reading and resting here on your "bloggity porch"!
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