Movie Madness

Shortly after entering the theater with "George and Martha" tonight to see a movie, I realized why I enjoy afternoon shows more than evening shows.  First, the cost!  The cost of an evening movie has just gotten ridiculous!  The second reason - the audience!  Since when did the 7:00 movies become the baby sitters of our pre-teens and young teens?!  It was ridiculous!  I love kids!  I teach 6th grade for pity sake!  However, from the time we entered the theater the 12, 13 and 14 year olds were being loud and obnoxious, running the aisles, going in and out of the theater, jumping from seat to seat as well as from the back to the front and from theater to theater.  Did I mention they were loud?  Where were the parents?  I thought they were supposed to be with a parent to see a PG-13 movie...  At any rate, the movie started and while I was praying they'd calm down when the movie started, they didn't.  So, I got up to get the manager.  As I got to the end of the steps I heard a voice over everyone firmly telling the young people in the front and in the back of the theater to shut-up and sit down and watch the show.  Wow!  It was about time!  What guts!  What boldness!  Who in the world?!  Wait a second, I suddenly realized - IT WAS ME!  Ok people - as a teacher you know you're at your limit when you find yourself at a movie theater correcting the youngsters all around you!  What in the world?  I don't even normally tell my students to shut up!  I think it's inappropriate!  But there I was - giving these rowdy youth "what for."  At any rate, I went ahead and got the manager, but for some reason, when I returned the climate was a little different...  We were able to enjoy the show.  While I'm not sure if "George and Martha" will ever want to go to another movie with me, I know those kids won't! 

 

Carry me, Daddy!

“Listen, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth.  Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you.”  Isaiah 46:3-4

Recently, my dear friend “Martha” announced the wonderful news that she is expecting.  Her ornery but fabulous husband, “George,” sent me a text this morning.  After congratulating him and rushing off to work, I got to looking at the Scriptures on my desk.  Someone at church gave me one of those sets that has a Scripture or passage on a card for each day of the year.  At any rate, I’d sent my students to their art class and was flipping through the cards.  I know, you are supposed to read one a day.  Sometimes that’s like trying to eat only one Pringle.  Anyways – the second one I read was Isaiah 46:3-4.  I didn’t get any farther in the stack.  There are so many things in this small passage that astound me!  First, God Himself is speaking to us.  God – the creator of the universe – all mighty, ever present, all powerful, God, speaks to us.  Even more amazing, that He would speak to me.  As the Psalmist said, “Who am I that He would consider me?”  Me and all my faults, quirks, questions, etc. etc.  Us…  All of us!  He wants to speak to me, to you, to us all!  No matter where we are, where we’ve been, what we’ve done.  He loves us and longs to have a relationship with each of us.  He goes on to tell us He has upheld us since we were conceived, carried us since birth.  Again, WOW!  Again, I think of a Psalms – 139 that speaks of us being “fearfully and wonderfully made.” 

Last night I was captivated as I watched an interview with Nick Vujicic.  This man was born without arms or legs.  He does have one foot with two little toes on it.  After the interview he spoke to a group of 7^th and 8^th grade students.  He has written a couple of books and has shared his life’s story with thousands.  He kept referring to the fact that God had made him with a plan and that God makes each of us with a plan.  I was amazed at this man’s faith, the peace of God that flowed from him, and Nick’s positive outlook on life.  Sure, he has struggled mentally, emotionally and spiritually at times in his life.  However, he really seemed to have a better understanding of the fact that God has a plan for himself and each of us than most.  Just this week, from sheer exhaustion, I found myself telling the Lord, “Remember your promise – ‘as your days, so will your strength be?’”  Nick Vujicic seems to live in the fact that God has carried us since birth…  AND HE WILL CONTINUE TO SUSTAIN US.

That’s the other part of this passage of Scripture that is so mind blowing!  He wants to continue to sustain us and even carry us through this life.  So, I think back to dear “George and Martha” and the new life growing inside of her.  God is knitting that precious life together.  He already has a plan for that dear child!  He will uphold and carry them throughout life…  If they let Him.  I pray he or she does!  I pray little “Martha” or “George” (help us all if that’s the case!  HA!  JK, George!) will allow God to carry him or her throughout their life!  As adults, that really is the challenge sometimes.  We try to carry ourselves.  We depend on ourselves and sometimes others more than we do the very one who formed us in our mother’s womb.  We don’t have to!  Life can be overwhelming – definitely draining sometimes.  God wants to sustain us.  He wants to speak to us, to love us, to work and move in our lives, to carry us through the dark times and rejoice with us in the victories.  So, if you are tired, weary, or just going through a really awful time in life – take heart!  Let God carry, you!  Jesus said “come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”      

BENCHMARK BLUES

Well students and educators, it's that time of year again!  It's time for the annual BENCHMARK EXAMS!  Here in good ol' Arkansas, the testing has started!  Just a few days ago we were talking about the test and the idea our government has that we should have all of our students - 100% of them - scoring proficient by the year 2014.  While I assure you, I (and other teachers I know and work with) work 100% and above to make sure every student is equiped to pass not only this test, but more importantly the tests of life, there are some students who have disabilities, disadvantages, and other things that hinder them.  One morning while getting ready for school I was thinking about all of this.  It occurred to me where this "mandate" is coming from...  Our government.  While I am in many ways proud to be an American, loving and praying for my country, I must admit I am often disappointed and even disqusted at times with some things our government does or does not do.  As I began to think about the budget, immigration, and several other issues that our government wrestles with constantly, I began to laugh.  I mean, think about it!  Our government is not 100% proficient!!!  Who are they to tell teachers we should be able to get 100% of our students to score proficient or above on these tests?!  Ironic?  Absolutley!  Hello...  We almost had to have another "government shut down" just this weekend because of the budget.  As much as I want every child I ever teach to be proficient or advanced on the benchmark or any other test...  As much as I want every student I ever have to be successful in life...  As much as I strive to do "whatever it takes" to help young people reach their potential...  I am not the only factor in their success.  I've told my students the last two weeks not to stress over this test!  We have covered every standard required and then some.  We have worked dilligently all year.  They can do this if they will relax, focus and do their best.  However, for the government or anyone else to demand teachers to have every student of every class score proficient or advanced by 2014, is almost funny.  It's not realistic.  Furthermore, it's a double standard.  No institution is perfect.  None.  They are all made of people.  There's not one person who is perfect.  It's kind of like that old saying, "People who live in glass houses should not throw stones..."