In eighth grade, I was too cool for my own good. So cool, I had to learn a lesson. While standing on a designated corner surrounding my school, I strapped on the orange safety belt that lead to my new attitude. I was a street-crossing safety guard.
My job was a necessity for keeping the children enrolled in the school every day. When I saw the plastic lunchboxes and little school bags approaching with the sunrise, I knew to stick my arms out to halt their next step while they knew to stop so I could take charge of their fate. After looking left, right, left and right one more time, I made sure the morning rush of cars were out of the way. I dropped my arms to my sides and the foot travelers would cross safely to the other side of the street and continue on their way to school.
The excitement of wearing the orange safety belt was felt every time I put it on except for the at the southwest corner of the school. This particular corner was on the safety rotation, even though I had protested. Plastic lunchboxes and little school bags did not travel by foot from this direction. After two rotations, I learned the definition of boredom and I took it upon myself not to stand guard on this corner. I convinced myself that eighth graders had more important things to do in the morning other than stand guard for nobody.
The school year passed quickly. Mr. Murphy was the teacher in charge of the orange-belted, street-crossing safety guards. At the end of the school year, he took the volunteers on a special field trip to the bowling alley to reward a job well done. As all teachers do, he tacked a sheet up on the wall to define the carpool and bowling team breakdowns. When I finally made it through the huddle of kids to view the list on the wall, I could not find my name listed. Could a teacher make a mistake?
“Mr. Murphy?” I called out in a questioning voice. “My name does not appear on the list. There must be a mistake.” Mr. Murphy, father by nature, teacher by choice, sat me down and told me there was no mistake. He pulled out a chart and pointed out all the times I was not at the southwest corner standing guard. Because of my neglect of duty, I was not allowed to attend the special field trip to the bowling alley.
In eighth grade I was too cool for my own good. The lesson plan for the year was the orange belt. Only when I removed the belt did I learn what responsibility and attendance meant. My attitude was adjusted from that day forward.
John 17:15
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
Today is January 1, 2017 and yesterday was so last year. I stayed awake to ring in the new year with my husband. Normally I get sleepy by 9:30pm and find myself crawling in bed by 10:00pm. Because I stayed awake, I, along with millions of other people, either in New York Times Square or sitting comfortably in our homes in front of a television or other electronic device, were witness to Mariah Carey’s train-wreck of a show minutes before the ball drop. Much to her chagrin, her reputation needs repair. I can only guess what her New Year’s Resolution is for 2017. However, a big round of applause goes to her backup dancers as they did a great job!
On February 12 my husband, and I, said good-bye to our little girl, Bean. She was the sweetest Grey Tiger-striped kitty who we adopted from a local no-kill cat shelter years ago. My husband picked her out and the first day in our house, she owned it. She sat up on the couch and took a nap, all while our other cats were sniffing her acquaintance. On December 5, my niece passed away. She was an awesome mom to her children and had a huge heart for helping people. We are blessed to know how many lives she touched in her short 31 years of life. My summation for 2016 is that the good die young.
This past year was heart-breaking, to say the least, but knowing that God is close to the broken-hearted brings me peace. That means He is near to me, my husband, my family, and Jill’s friends, holding us close as we mourn.
Isaiah 43:18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” But our minds hit replay on many episodes of days gone by, conversations that happened or didn’t happen, loved ones who were called home to eternity, or the voice of the doctor delivering news of a grave illness just discovered. God is close to the broken-hearted and he offers His outstretched hand for us to walk into 2017 with Him. Yes, God can even help restore Mariah Carey’s reputation if she reaches out to Him.
Isaiah 41:10 So Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
May God Bless you in 2017.
