Teaching

My passion is encouragement and teaching others how to tell their stories.  Such power is tapped when someone reads a piece of literature and learns something about themselves, or develops their philosophies of life further from reading, analyzing, and understanding the story.  Students won't necessarily do that on their own, especially lower level students who are  struggling with the basic comprehension of what they are reading, so I find that class discussion and journal writings are one viable way to inspire that kind of authentic learning.  

Recently, as we were beginning to read "Flowers for Algernon" in my regular level 8th grade English class, I had the students respond to the journal prompt, "Which is more important - relationships with people or accomplishments?"  After this initial journal prompt, we spent several days reading aloud and discussing the journal entries of Charlie Gordon, the main character in the story.  Charlie, who was mentally disabled, is chosen for an experimental surgery to increase his IQ.  Charlie expressed, through his own journal entries, the strong desire to be like others and to be liked by others. Despite his disability, Charlie decided that the best route to meaningful relationship was to become smarter. 

As my students read and discussed Charlie's journey, they experienced first-hand the sad discovery that Charlie himself made.  While Charlie's intelligence increased, his relationships changed and eventually decreased.  Charlie was happier before he underwent the surgery and, though he accomplished academic achievements that surpassed even the scientists who had  transformed him, he lost all ability to relate to others.  In the the end, he found himself completely alone.

In the midst of the class discussion one day, one of my student's eyes widened and she gasped!  "Oh, that's why you had us write about that prompt the other day!"  She had made a connection on her own between the writing assignment and the story, and it took her completely by surprise!  The prompt had primed my student for opening her mind to a new discovery about what she believed.  My fervent desire is that she will now view literature in a different light when she is reading on her own.  Hopefully, her educational journey has forever shifted from doing what she is told, waiting for someone to fill her with a bit of knowledge, and skimming through texts to simply fill in the blanks, to a genuine desire to learn.  Oh, what a joy it will be if a switch has flipped deep within her that has turned on a passion and created an itch for more discovery.

And isn't this true of each one of us?  We go through life, skimming the surface of all that it has to offer.  We wade through the shallow waters along the shore of a deep and coursing river of culture and faith and relationship. We feel like we are experiencing life because our ankles are wet and we occasionally feel the ripples of the water lapping at our shins, but we are reluctant to jump in and submerge our souls in the teeming, tumultuous waters of the adventure of life.  Every once in while, someone asks us a question, someone pushes us to participate in a discussion that forces us to come to a conclusion.  Someone invites us to wade out beyond the comfort levels of our own meager measure of the real meaning of life.  While we are there, struggling to maintain our footing, suddenly the current sweeps us off our figurative feet and we are whisked into deeper level of understanding!  That "aha" moment carries us to a new place, a new understanding, a new adventure, and our life will never again be the same!

This is life!  How wonderful to be the one who is whisked away!  But it is infinitely more amazing to be the one who invites an observer into the adventure.  To watch another who was idling, apathetic and unaware, come alive, awakening to the true journey, only urges the encourager to encourage all the more.  This is teaching!  

Everything I Need

It has been a hard week.  Truthfully, it has been a hard year.  Even more truthfully, I can't really remember when life wasn't hard - at least a little.  But as hard as things have been, I have to say, "I have everything I need!"  

I could mean this from a worldly and material perspective.  There isn't anything that I really need at this point that I don't have, but we have been in the position - and not so long ago - where we had to rely on help from others to meet some of our needs.  It can be frightening and ever so humbling to have to depend upon the good will of other people, but it teaches so much.  Without a time of being needy myself, I am not sure that I would be so generous.  Had I not experienced a bit of desparation, I wonder if I would be as compassionate.  Because I have personally suffered and benefited from the encouragement of godly people, I am quick to encourage others who are discouraged.

I could also mean this from a spiritual perspective.  Paul said, in Philippians 4:12-13, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength."  I have everything I need because all I really need is Him.  Just a few short verses later, Paul said, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19). How He will supply them is up to Him and I am certain that is part of the plan.

If I think I have a physical need, but God knows that what I really need is to learn to trust, He will meet that physical need in such a way that meets the Spiritual need even more.  We may think we need something material right now, but if God knows we need to learn to depend on Him more, He may have us wait on the physical need to help us learn to depend.  Sometimes He will met a need through other godly people simply so that we will learn a lesson about love and encouragement.

Life is hard!  It is full of trouble - and why are we surprised about this?  Jesus said, ""I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) I believe Him!  I know He has overcome the world because I have that peace that He describes.  I can have a hard week - a hard month - a hard year - and more, because I have learned the secret to being content and at peace!  I have everything I need.

The Rescue Mission

A different neighbor called today.  Different neighbor - similar question.  "Do you have turkeys?"  If you read my post from last week, you know that our turkeys were lost and a neighbor found them in her yard.  The funny part is that she, like the neighbor that called today, assumed that they must be ours!  As it turned out, these turkeys were not ours but we rescued them anyway and put them in one of our coops to keep them safe.  Later in the day we met a new neighbor while he was out canvassing the neighborhood looking for his missing turkeys.  We enjoyed talking with him as we helped him walk his turkeys home.  It was the second "turkey trot" in Kents Store this week.

I love that our neighbors think of us first whenever there are lost animals in the area.  We have the reputation for collecting animals and also for rescuing those that are lost.  Though we have only been raising farm animals for seven years, we seem to be known as the local experts.  We are far from experts, but we have gained quite a bit of experience and we are always willing to try to help.

As much as I enjoy our status of the rescuers of lost animals, I would much rather be known as someone who helps lost people.  Whether we are helping them find their way to God or just guiding them through a tough time, providing shelter during a physical storm or an emotional one, I want my home and my family to be a place of refuge for others.

When people remember me, I won't mind if they remember our funny farm on the corner for all its animals and the tire swing in the back yard, but I hope they will also remember that we were available in their time of need.  While we are, at Cornercopia, collectors of animals, we are also collectors of people.  We enjoy relationship and we love to welcome others as part of our family.

I didn't mind that early morning call today.  We are used to the phone calls that invite us out on a rescue mission.  It is what we do and it is what we love.  I guess you could say that, at Cornercopia, rescue is our mission.

The Lost Flock

You would have seen a very funny sight this evening if you were traveling near our house in Kents Store.  A parade of sorts was marching up our road in the rain, and I am certain it drew some rather curious glances.  It all began with the disappearance of our young turkeys and guineas.  After two days with no sign of the fowl, we had all but counted them gone for good, but in the grand tradition of our funny farm, the story was not quite over.

Just before dinner, our neighbor stopped by to ask if we were missing any birds.  It just so happened that our turkeys and guineas, no longer enamored with the security of our yard, had wandered several farms away.  Observing that these animals were not wildlife, she rightly assumed that they belonged to us!  Anxious to bring our lost flock home, Jerry and the boys jumped in the truck and drove down to the neighbors house.

After considering several ways of capturing the birds that would require a lot of chasing, our neighbor suggested that they simply walk the poultry back to our farm.  They slowly corralled the turkeys and guineas by walking behind and beside them.  Not feeling threatened, the birds were easily guided all the way home where they were happy to retreat into the safety of their coop.  Had the guys tried to chase them, the likelihood of retaining all of the birds is slim.

As Jerry described these hilarious events to me this evening, I couldn't help but think of my brothers and sisters in Christ who have wandered from the flock.  The security of living safely within the guidelines of God's law has worn off and suddenly, other fields look better than their own.  We often want to run after them in order to capture them and bring them back home, but our techniques sometimes do little more than push them further away.

My neighbors suggestion holds merit with more than wandering animals, it works with the people we love as well.  People are much more likely to allow themselves to be guided by someone they trust than with someone hurling insults and pointing fingers.  Simply surrounding our wayward loved ones with love, comfort, and wise direction will most often bring them safely back to the nest.

James 5:19-20 says, "My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover a multitude of sins."

I am happy to say that my wandering flock is safe and sound in their house on this rainy night.  They will enjoy the shelter of their coop for awhile before they get the chance to taste freedom again.  Hopefully by that time they will understand that our farm has all they need for a happy, healthy life.  

Whether you turn to the right or to the left your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

Snapshots

Sometimes I see my day as a long video with each scene blending into the next, while other days are more like a series of snapshots.  Today was a day of snapshots; vivid images set against a beautiful backdrop of family and friends, commitment and love.

The day began with an email from my friend, Melissa.  She was expressing how my son, Trevor, was a blessing to her yesterday.  Her affirmation and gratitude for his helpfulness was the encouragement I needed to begin my day.

The second image of my day is one of me standing next to my husband in worship service this morning.  I tilted my head to listen as he sang praises to God.  It gives me such pleasure to hear his voice, but knowing that he loves and worships Him together with me causes me to thank God even more.  This morning it brought back memories of me as a little girl standing next to my Grandaddy in church while he sang hymns.  

Another click of the lens reveals two precious children, Hailey and Dylan, professing their faith and rising out of the waters of baptism.  Though I already consider them as a part of my family, watching them become a part of my spiritual family is incredible.

This afternoon, on top of a hill on a beautiful farm, we watched as a couple that we love made vows of commitment to one another.  A beautiful picture was etched in my mind as Briton held the end of a unity cord while Jess braided the ends together.  They were purposeful about their task and all eyes seemed to be upon them - until I noticed their children.  The older two understood what was happening, at least on some level, but the little ones were completely oblivious.  It hit hit me suddenly that this was a beautiful picture of marriage and family building.  As parents, we must be purposeful and diligent in creating a loving, stable, committed relationship between the two of us.  While sometimes our children will witness us doing the work, for the most part, the work itself should be done in such a way that the children can sit at our feet carefree and confident that they are growing up in a family that is full of love.  

It was a special treat this weekend to spend time with my whole family together.  I am increasingly aware that those times are numbered for us.  It wasn't all fun and we weren't all happy and loving the whole weekend, but we were all there - together, and the snapshots that I will take away will be those of us laughing together.  

The State of My Soul

Tonight I uttered words that spoke the truth about the state of my soul.  As soon as they left my heart they were returned to me by a voice that whispered of their fault.  Suddenly, I knew that all of the wondering - all of the wandering - all was the impact of my own doubt.

The words I spoke became a confession; one that would be taken lightly by many, but not by Him.  In an unassuming way, I simply stated, "I am a worrier."  While that may not seem like a confession worthy of such drama, it was highlighted by the months of questions and conversations, the sleepless nights, the tortured passing of time since I last trusted fully.

As I struggled through my crisis of faith, though never doubting His love or salvation, I stepped out of the comfort of His power and strength and into the pit of my own frailty.  I wrestled with my sin, pains of the past, concerns for the future, self-pity, and more, and He watched over me and waited - waited until I found peace that would overcome it all.  He tended to my needs but, in His great love, let me learn from my suffering.

Using the words of others, observations of life, and guidance from His gentle hand, He prepared me for the truth.  He hadn't changed.  All was as it always had been.  By the grace of God I had changed, but only by returning to the truth I had always known.  He is sovereign. He is eternal. He is all that I need.

The revelation that came from His whisper was a tiny transformation of the characters in my own pronouncement.  "I am a warrior," He corrected.  After all of the uncertainty, all of the inquiry, all of the dispute, He simply reminded me of who I am in Him.

Oh that I had never forgotten.  Time wasted, energy exhausted, precious opportunities lost.  My anxiety solved no problems, protected nothing.  Instead, it only served to rob me of my trust in Him.  Countless moments, meant for waging war against the enemy of my soul, were squandered in exchange for the empty pleasure of wallowing in worry.

Worry sapped my strength - trust restores it.  Worry staled my hope - faith renews it.  Worry stole my joy - He redeems it!  I am a warrior!  I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Fuge Day 1

After an early start and a long, somewhat uneventful, ride, we made it to North Greenville University just before the end of check-in.  

We were quickly shooed over to the field where we got t-shirts, a group picture, and a run through our church sign.

The M-Fuge campers went to a meeting while the Center-Fugers played some games.

Later, we unpacked the vans, ate dinner, and moved between all kinds of meetings and activities, including filling out track forms, worship, Bible Study groups, etc.

We finished out the evening with a meeting for our church group where we shared our track assignments and highs and lows of the day.  Most lows included surprising track choices and camp food, while many of the highs were about meeting new people.  We did a fun group activity and then headed off to air conditioned dorms for a quick night's sleep.