I didn't go to work today. The Roosters had their annual well-check and I didn't want to worry about my sub arriving on time so that I could get them out of school and make it across town to the pediatrician's office.
I spent my morning cleaning the house that has been neglected due to my illness last week and then I decided to complete the homework for my Wednesday night Bible study. This week's homework was focusing on God commissioning Gideon. It got me thinking, but doesn't God's word always do that to us. I was thinking about Gideon--the farmer. The scared farmer hiding in a winepress in order to thresh his wheat. If we were in the military and asked to follow a general that was found afraid, under an oak tree hiding in order to do his job, would we join his ranks? I bet not. But that got me asking the question that I try to teach my children to ask and that Grandmother taught me to ask myself, "Who are we to judge?"
I had the misfortune, or maybe it was fortunate, to work in a school where teachers were judged not by their performance but more so by their appearance and wealth. The parents were also judged by their wealth and positions and received "favors" based on their social class. It was sickening. The longer I stayed there the dirtier I felt. I never got the feeling that I was to do more than I tried to do to change things. I think now I was there for God to show me where I was to serve Him in teaching. I thought I would be happier at this particular school but soon learned that God didn't want or need me there--at least not any longer than I stayed. I think about the people that this principal found "worthy" of her tasks, of the parents and children who were "worthy" of being listened to and taken seriously and then I look at whom God called to do His work in the Bible. Let's see some of the people God has used: There was Jacob, a deceiver, who was used to "father" the Israelite nation. Then there was Joseph, a slave, that was to save his family. What about Moses? A shepherd in exile because he was a murderer. God chose him to lead Israel out of bondage and to the promise land. Then Gideon, the fearful farmer hiding in a winepress in order to do his job. He used Gideon to deliver Israel from Midian. What about Jephthah? His mother was a prostitute!! However, God used him to deliver Israel from the Ammonites. Hannah was "just a housewife" but was chosen to be the mother of Samuel. David? You know David--the shepherd boy and last-born in his family. As the Ray Boltz song goes, "Where others see a shepherd boy; God may see a king." Yep, David was Israel's greatest king. Ezra was a scribe but lead the return to Judah and wrote some of the Bible!! Esther was a slave girl but saved her people from massacre. Oh, and then there was Mary. Mary, the peasant girl, who became the mother of our Savior Jesus Christ. Matthew was a tax collector but called to be an apostle and Gospel writer. Luke was a Greek physician but was a companion of Paul and also a Gospel writer. And Peter. Peter the fisherman. Peter the disciple who denied Christ. He was an apostle, a leader of the early church, and a writer of two New testament letters. He was the rock. "Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it" Matthew 16:18. And how many more "ordinary" people has God used? Who am I to judge? It is my prayer that things have changed in that particular school, and that everyone is considered worthy of a "seat at the table," especially the students that grace those doors each day and the teachers that do what they know is right.
On a lighter note, the twins did great at their well-check. They are healthy and doing well. Nicholas has to go for a more extensive eye exam because he showed some signs of having trouble seeing the eye chart. We'll be doing that soon. Other than that, all was great today. Here are a few pictures of my captivity in a room with two wild roosters.
John Ryan waiting with me while Nick got his hearing and eyes checked.
With Blake, I used to bring a Thomas train and draw a track on the paper exam table cover. He would play with his train on my homemade track until the doctor arrived. The twins use it to make a mural until Dr. Greenhouse comes to the room.
John Ryan drew a picture of his teacher.
This is the dinosaur from "Toy Story" that was the theme of the room the Roosters were in today.
When the nurse walked in to do their finger pricks for their hemoglobin check, she asked who was going first and John Ryan immediately said, "Nick! I always let him go first." (NOT!) I love the way John Ryan is checking out his own finger before it is his turn. I think Nick even has a smile on his face. Both Roosters did great. I was very proud of them.
I hope you have a great week and can find many things that put a smile on your face as big as the one on this turtle.
No comments:
Post a Comment