The dawn of a new school year arrives with sharpened pencils and the smell of new crayons. Pre-K students wear backpacks that outsize them, and seniors celebrate the beginning of their last year. Children and teenagers enjoy rekindling friendships, but dread homework. Learner expectations are high. One kindergartener said to his mom at the end of his first day, “Mommy, you said I’d learn to read at school, but I didn’t.” Learning requires time, effort, and patience. Students need help as they navigate new friends and teachers in a world of steeper academic requirements. Students need prayer. Teacher expectations are…
Tag: prayer
How to Embrace a New Season of the Heart: Take Steps and Rest
In Georgia, we moved from early Spring to, as we say around here, pollen season. Although the heavy coat of mustard-colored powder required me to clean my deck and car, pollen serves a purpose. It signals a time of bees, butterflies, and more flowers. Like Spring, every season is beautiful, a creation of God—in nature and in our hearts. I needed to repeat the wash-off-nature’s-pollen chore several times, and the freshness led me to the next step—replacing the deck pillows, potting colorful annuals, and moving my quiet time moments from inside to outdoors. Now, in late Spring, I’m wondering…
Three Ways to Navigate Difficult Days
My leg muscles screamed in protest as I gasped for breath and pulled myself upward to the next rest bench on the mountain trail. I promised myself, “Girlfriend, you WILL be in better shape next year!” Can you identify? For several years, our family of four participated in a volksmarch, a German term for people’s walk. Beginning at the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail near Helen, Georgia, we walked only five kilometers, but with steep inclines, the distance seemed much further. At the finish line, with relief and perspiration, we accepted our medals as family tradition mementos.…
Remember to Pray
What an honor to share my site today with my friend and author, Carla G. Pollard. I know her story and wise words about remembering prayer requests will brighten your day and encourage you. You’ll find her photo, bio, and links to her website and social media below. Please check out the beautiful writing on her site. Here’s Carla. She had a joyful expression as she navigated towards me through the crowded foyer of our church. As women’s ministry leader, I had a responsibility to learn the needs of others, and I had spent time with Jenny discussing hers. “I…
Incorporate Four P’s into a New Season of Learning with God
Although I chuckled at my kindergarten students’ responses, I counted their eagerness to listen as a predictor of learner success. Years ago, I’d designed a lesson on evaporation. The five-year-olds noticed the water level in our uncovered classroom aquarium was lower than usual. I asked, “What do you think happened to the water?” Stacey guessed I’d scooped some out, and Adrian asked if the aquarium had leaked. Then Brian bounced up and down and yelled, “I know, I know. The fish drank it.” Stephanie folded her arms and said, “No, they didn’t, Brian. Mrs. Waters, tell us what really happened…