W.I.S.E. Bible Study

 This morning, I was greeted by a brilliant large moon that lit my way. A travel companion and light. Jesus told his followers to follow him. It is hard following anyone. I once took a group on a mission trip. We had one leader we followed. That didn’t work well. I find it hard to follow. I am a leader, strong independent woman after all. Yet, my Jesus says to follow. I don’t presume to be his equal. No, but he is my friend and companion. This morning, I was reminded that I am called to follow, not lead, not strangle behind, but follow. I study scripture so I know the foot steps I am to walk in. This Lent reminds me I must follow, not take charge, not get lost or sit down, but follow. In order to follow I need to trust the leader, and know his path. So here I am, this morning resigned to follow on the path…

  The Lenten journey is a reminder to me that I need to look at those who perhaps have done me harm or treated me poorly. I think of Luke: “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” (Luke 6:35) The hardest thing to do is to treat everyone who is sacred. I watched a movie starring Woody Harrelson entitled “Champions.” In the movie, Woody’s character learns that one of the characters will not play basketball for him because he was in an accident where he sustained a traumatic brain injury. Woody has to coach as a community service sentence for drunken driving. The boy “hates" drunken drivers. The boy's mother encouraged the boy to forgive. Learning to forgive hurt is difficult, yet I think that is part of the Lenten process. Who is your “enemy”? Who do you need to forgive, and see the person created by God on the path…

 As I journey through this life, I am reminded to pick my companionship carefully. “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20 Jobs come and go. Events come and go, but true companionship sticks with you through “thick and thin.” At work, I have people I hope I can stay in contact with after I retire. I enjoy their company. They provide wisdom when I ask. The other day, I said to a fellow teacher, I am having a teaching moment. I need advice.  Another teacher, whom I find wise, had walked in, and we discussed my “teacher moment.” They were able to provide wisdom, so when I went home, I was de-stressed. Thank you. My point today is surrounding yourself with wise companions; heck, I even married one. Wisdom is something to strive for, and especially finding it in companionship on the path…

 Today was one of those long days. I was trying to listen for the whisper, yet today was a straight eight. Our normal days are a "block" schedule, (82 min.) but some Fridays we have all eight classes, plus a 20-minute homeroom. One of our duties is that we can be called on to substitute during a period. I was assigned to sub for a physics class. That is where I heard God. Students were engaged in the lab; they had to do. Some kind students explained what they were doing, which I greatly appreciated. A change of pace. Seeing engaged students...wanting to learn, talking together about torque and things I knew nothing about. Yet, they explained it to me. I smiled, just enjoying their enthusiasm. Yes, God spoke to me in a physics class, telling me to step outside my world, get out of my head. During the day, someone asked if I was a big baseball fan because I asked for a jersey day for opening day...My reply: I like the science behind the sports; for me, sports are physics in mot...

  Today I am talking about the Sermon on the Mount with my students. Blessed are…I love the first words: “Blessed are…” they remind me why I do what I do. Why do you help others? Blessed are. Why do seek forgiveness when you have stumbled? Blessed are… The list goes on and on. Yet, it is important that I realize that my call to action and living a life of grace starts with Blessed. Today, think about your call to action. Does it start with “Blessed are”? On the path…

  “My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.” Job 23:11 Today as I was driving to work, I was struck by the fact I like my familiar path. In storms, I can judge where I am going. However, I was reminded of the Wizard of Oz. It was a movie I never liked as a kid. Yet, today I was reminded of the yellow brick road. I wondered I I was on the right road to heaven. I hoped my bricks were paved in love. Love of God, father, son and spirit. Love of family. Love to help others. Love of nature and God creations. I don’t need gold bricks to pave my way, but that of God. Will I know my way to heaven? Will I recognize Christ/God? I pray I do. I know them through scripture, I know them through others I meet, situations and God’s beautiful world. Today, think about your road and what it is paved with on the path…