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The proper gate

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  Sometimes I am amazed at how much energy people use to get around the rules. Students spend more time thinking of ways to get out of something, around something, or finding an easy way to copy. John 10:1-2 states: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.” John presents two kinds of spiritual leadership. Jesus is the shepherd because he enters through the proper gate. A gate makes walking through easy to get to the sheep. Yet there is another kind of leader. One who tries to jump the fence or get in without using a proper gate. You can’t just spout scripture as a way to enter through the gate. You need to have a deep and abiding personal relationship with God. The gate makes getting into a sheep pen easy, but getting to the gate and opening it is not as easy for some. Today, stand at the gate, open it, and walk through to gather...
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Service

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  “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” Hebrews 10:24 Today is a service day at school. My students dusted, washed, and polished the chapel and are now making prayer cards for people. I think going into a service day, mentally is difficult. One more thing on a teacher's plate. Yet, I know I must do this with a joyful heart, not a check list mind. I find when doing service picking something I enjoy helpful, yet I know God calls us to go outside our comfort zone. Good deeds come in all shapes an sizes. Today think about one thing you can do for someone else or a group of people. Life is about community, and community means we stand together reaching out with a helping hand on the path….  
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Gentleness

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  A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1. Gentleness. It is true that a response that is gentle turns away wrath. But what is a gentle response? It isn’t about being quiet, or submissive. It is about showing respect to the other person or persons that we need to provide an answer for. It is about accepting both parts in a situation. I know that many times I am part of the problem. I reacted, or said something that angers someone. Or someone does something to me or does something that makes me angry. I need to stop, take a deep breath. Pause before movement to ensure gentleness. For me gentleness isn’t about getting my way, but understanding the other person’s response or actions. It truly is about walking in their shoes. I still might not like something, but by doing this compassion and empathy may lead my answering. Today this is my whisper as we are coming to the end of the school year and students are getting bold, and results. Alas, t...
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"Stand a Little Rain"

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 After all the storms, now cooler weather (yes, possible snow flurries), I think about moving forward. “You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.” Psalm 16:11. I see lots of flowers that seem to have grown inches in the last week. Spring is a time of hope and new growth. It is also a time of allergies and storms. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band had a song, "Stand a Little Rain," that I think speaks to me as I think about how we need to remember that those plants that all of a sudden grew by inches did so because of the rain. It turns my stomach when I hear politicians and others quote scripture all for their own purposes. I quote scripture for you to know God, and be assured that you can stand a little rain and grow through it. Today, know that the Psalm, not me, speaks of truth. God will walk with you, today, tomorrow, and through any storm on the path…
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Sharing

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  Today as I drove to the work in the fog, the psalm was “The Lord is my light…” I thought how reassuring it was to hear that. The priest on the online mass I listen to, talked about being a ministry of Matthew 25:42-43. We are called to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, invite strangers in, clothe those without, and help the sick and the prisoner. The gospel today was on the multiplication of loaves and fishes. If each person brought food and shared…that in and of itself is a true miracle. We tend to hang on to our stuff. What if, like the loaves and fishes we ask Jesus to multiply our gifts and talents to give us strength to do His work like Matthew 25 in our encounters during the day, sharing…our loaves and our fishes on the path…
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Storms

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As I sat in my “safe tornado shelter” twice this week, I was reminded of Mark 439-40 “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves,”Quiet! Be still!” then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no Faith?” Storms come and go, but when we are in the midst of them, we need to hear God ‘s whisper to us: “Quiet, be still!” For God is there and can calm our nerves. My autistic granddaughter yesterday morning, told me “praying.” Her word of the day. She was up early and as my husband and her drove me to work, she repeated multiple times: praying. A reminder that it is through prayer storms are told to be quiet and still on the path…
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Mount Up with Wings like Eagles

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As we were traveling and in Minnesota, we saw several eagles. No matter how often I see them, it still excites me. My husband is good at pointing out the various wildlife and especially eagles. Eagles remind me of many scripture passages. Like this one: “But they who wait for the Lod shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) Everyday is a good time to grab that favorite drink and sit for several minutes asking the Lord to be with you in your day. Of course, conversing with the Lord through out the day is also helpful. Easter break is over, and I will have good memories of places and conversations with loved ones that will carry me through the next six weeks of school. I will think often of the eagles and be reminded to wait for the Lord and not to go it alone on the path…
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