Acts 20:35

I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

Last spring, when I was given my new assignment for this school year, I was quite upset and worried. Mostly because of my lack of knowledge in the medical field regarding the needs of the student I would be working with this fall. I have definitely been challenged while caring for this five year old who is in a wheel chair, visually impaired, cannot speak, and has a feeding tube. However, after four weeks of working with her, Acts 20:35 has taken on a whole new meaning to me. She is a doll and such a joy to work with each day. By her giggles, smiles, and the patting of my arm for reassurance of my presence, I am so blessed.

Ecclesiastes 7:10

Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. Ecclesiastes 7:10

We often hear older people wishing for the days gone by. But over the weekend, I found myself sort of doing the same thing. I was perusing some of my favorite blogs and was reminded of our home schooling years. Reflecting back, I remembered how good we had it, with quality simple family time during the day before spending the evenings running around to all of the kids’ activities. But things changed, the kids are older and loving where they are regarding their schooling. I now need to ponder this passage in Ecclesiastes. If I were to ask the question, “Why were the former days better than these?” then I’d really be struggling with discontentment of the present time, and really, that’s not the case at all. Looking back can be done with fondness, without yearning, but my focus should be on the blessings I have right now and enjoy them.

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:6

School has started, so I’m back to pushing my four children to strive to do well on their homework assignments and tests. Nagging them all evening and weekends makes for an unhealthy relationship with my kids. I’ve memorized this verse, saying it to myself each morning to keep it engraved on my heart so that my words to them may be with grace, encouraging them in love.
During the day, I work in an elementary school building with over five hundred K, 1st, and 2nd graders. On a regular basis, I am encouraging students to make better choices regarding their behavior. I have a lot of opportunity to practice this verse! I pray that my admonishments are always with grace.
However, this verse doesn’t just mean the words from my lips. It also applies to what comes from my fingertips. Oh, how easy it is to quickly type out an email and send it, only to regret seconds later what I said. I’ve slowly been training myself to read and reread emails that I’ve written before hitting the send button.