Jesus Is Never Too Late

 It's a typical start to the morning in my classroom, and we are settling down for "Jesus time."  We make our beginning in the name of the Father who made us, the Son who died for us, and the Holy Spirit who lives in us. We sing our opening songs, "My best friend is Jesus" and "Jesus Loves the Little Ones." My kiddos can do this all by heart. They can do it with their eyes closed, upside down, and while picking their noses...and sometimes they do! 

We begin our bible story, and I'm expecting the usual: 

-wiggly bodies

-stopping the story to ask someone to keep their pants out of their mouth

-children raising hands (or not!) to tell me arbitrary things like, "my dog threw up last night" or "I just tooted two times."

You know...the usual! 

I begin reading the story of Jairus, and how he came to plea for Jesus' help to heal his very sick daughter. I take props out of our story box: a thermometer, a bandaid, and medicine. We talk about how none of these things had worked for the little girl. Jairus went to Jesus because he knew Jesus could heal her, and he had FAITH. (I write this in capital letters because THIS is the main point I was trying to make with this lesson. But God has very different plans than me!!)

I continue the story, and we learn that when Jesus arrived at Jairus' house, people ran out and told them they were too late.  His daughter had already died. But Jesus told them to have FAITH, and he went into the house and brought the little girl back to life. 

I'm now ready to explain all about the word FAITH, when a little boy raises his hand and tells me, 

"Jesus is never too late."

And in a flash, the whole thing changes. I am vividly reminded that Jesus is present, alive, and abounding in our classroom and in the hearts of these littles! Wow! I am taken aback and stunned by the truth and clarity in the statement from this 5 year old child. 

So many things hit me all at once: 

Jesus is working in the smallest of hearts and minds.

He can speak His message through anyone!

His truth is simple, and simplicity is sometimes the best medicine.

I may have plans, but God has better plans.

The truth in this child's statement has echoed in my heart all week. When I'm anxious about a situation, when I am concerned about the state of our world, when I worry about my own children...Jesus and his perfect timing are in control. He will work all things for good, he has each one of us in the palm of his hand, and he is never too late! I thank God for the gift of our classroom, and how he is giving us exactly what we need, exactly when we need it. God will never cease to amaze me with His timing!

Now each day when we close in prayer at the end of our Jesus time, we thank Jesus for always being on time, and NEVER being too late. 

Amen!

On the Graduation of my 8th Grade Son (and God's Guiding Hand Through It All)

I have called Immanuel my home for all of my adult life. I came here as a 23 year old, brand-spankin' new teacher: hopeful, excited, starry eyed, and slightly terrified. Little did I know what God had in store for me at this newfound home. The next five years were a gift that was given to me, an experience to teach at the most wonderful Lutheran school I have ever called home. When my husband and I were expecting our first child, I knew that he or she would someday call Immanuel their home also.

As I wrapped up my final days of teaching second grade, Charlie was born. Thoughts of him being a student at Immanuel seemed like something far off in the distance. Every parent who stares adoringly at their newborn baby finds it hard to imagine that he will someday be a schoolboy. Amazingly, it seemed, those days quickly arrived. He was soon ready to be a "great big preschooler" at Immanuel. He seemingly raced his way through preschool, kindergarten, and the primary grades. Before I knew it, he was old enough to join the basketball team and take up the saxophone in the school band. In the next breath, he was in middle school enjoying outdoor education at Walcamp. Even by the time he was 11 years old, those eighth graders still seemed so big to me! Surely my little boy would never be that big!

And in the blink of an eye, it all happened. A few weeks ago, he was preparing for confirmation, writing his statement of faith, and I've been forced to visualize his 8th grade graduation. How did this happen? When did this happen? As the weather warms up, and I see buds on the trees and my tulips sprouting up through the grass, I feel the clock racing and I can't stop it. May is going to end before I know it, and his time at Immanuel Lutheran School will be over. 

I am overwhelmed with this bittersweet situation. I'm so thankful, happy, and overjoyed that he has had this experience at Immanuel. It has made him such a wonderful, brilliant, and strong Christian young man. I can't wait to see the man he will become, and I'm so excited for his future, but every fiber in my being does not want his Immanuel days to end!

Our God never ceases to amaze me, and once again I saw His guidance in my life and Charlie's as well. About a month ago, we were talking about his upcoming confirmation, and I asked him what verse he chose to be his confirmation verse. He told me he chose Matthew 28:20, "and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Surprised, I asked him if he knew that was my confirmation verse as well. He had unknowingly chosen the same verse that was given to me at my confirmation so many years ago. I immediately saw a "God moment," as we call them at Immanuel. I don't think it's a coincidence, I don't believe in luck. I believe in God's guiding hand, and I believe that He knows my heart just like he knows my son's. That verse means a lot to us, because it's a promise that we will never have to begin new adventures alone. We will never have to face new situations without God by our side. There is nothing that will keep Him from us, nothing that can separate us from Him. 

Thank you God, for the past 12 years at Immanuel, for blessing Charlie as a student here at our school, for the promise of never leaving his side for the rest of his life, and for the blessings I am confident you have planned for his future!

Reformation: The Word of the Lord Endures Forever

The Word of the Lord Endures Forever...Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum.  Based on 1 Peter 1:24, this was the motto of the Lutheran Reformation. And let me tell you...the early Lutheran church was SERIOUS about this. So serious, in fact, that in 1522 Frederick the Wise had is sewn into the sleeve of his court's clothing (lest they forget!). Through his successors, it was stamped on coins, sewn on flags, and carved into church architecture. Why was (and is) this such a big deal?

In the early years following the Reformation, it took a great amount of courage to confess Lutheran beliefs. Why? Because early Roman Catholic rulers hoped to rid Europe of Protestants. To boldly disagree with the Roman Catholic Church, and to preach and adhere to beliefs that differed with the church was perilous. How perilous? Many early Lutherans died for their beliefs. The Thirty Year's War was fought between Catholics and Protestants, killing nearly 20 percent of Germany's population...through battle, disease and famine.

What is it about the Lutheran Church that would make men and women take such a courageous stance? What would make them willing to die for their beliefs?

Look to the Motto of the Reformation: The Word of the Lord Endures Forever. The Lutheran Church believes that the bible is the LIVING WORD OF GOD. It is infallible, it is never changing, it will endure forever. We will not change it, we will not let history re-write it, we will not believe parts and not the whole.

Martin Luther believed in grace alone, faith alone, and scripture alone.  He believed it was "by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8  He loudly proclaimed these truths, in hopes to bring back to scripture a church that had traveled far from God's word. The early Lutheran Church followed in his example, and it was so important to them that they were not only willing to die an earthly death for this belief...they were convicted to stand in front of the throne of God with these beliefs:

This declaration … is our faith, doctrine, and confession.

By God’s grace, with intrepid hearts, we are willing to appear before the judgment seat of Christ with this confession.

—Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, XII 40

This is a BIG DEAL!!  It was no small matter back in the day, and is it any different today? Is this why Lutherans so greatly enjoy the celebration of Reformation? You bet it is. We don't face persecution and death when we worship in our Lutheran pews on Sunday morning, or when we say Luther's Evening Prayer before bed. We rest peacefully in the church that our forefathers fought and died to protect. 

With the celebration of Reformation, we faithfully confess our Lutheran beliefs. We stand with our forefathers and say, "We (too) are willing to appear before the judgement seat of Christ with this confession." 

I am blessed and humbled to be a Lutheran. Amen, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

Gloria in Excelsis Deo

My "hang-ups" get the better of me.  Small things, important things, but small things: forgotten violin practice, squabbles over green scissors, anger over missing shoes. One after another, these frustrations eat away at my peace. The mom needs to calm all squabbles. The mom needs to find the missing shoes.  The mom needs to remind the virtuoso to practice. The mom needs to be a better mom. 

My wordless prayer sent up to heaven was simply a need for the Spirit to fill me. The hang ups are not filling me in such a great way.  I would rather have the Holy Spirit filling me. He would rather fill me. 

My God delivers.  Every time.  I pray, and He answers. In His time, in His way. He knows how to speak to my unique soul. My ears and heart were open to seeing Him in my morning drive.

John Rutter's Gloria streamed into my car as I mundanely pulled through the bank ATM line. "Gloria in Excelsis Deo! Amen!" My heart was immediately filled with the knowledge that my hangups do not really matter.  Nothing else matters.  I could feel the heavenly angels singing "Glory to God in the Highest! Amen!" He is what matters. Someday I will be there, singing in chorus.  My human heart would burst with the glory; my human heart aches when I think of this homecoming. My heavenly heart will be complete and perfect. The glory of God, visible by my own eyes! My own voice singing praises to Him in His presence! These italics cannot convey how my heart leaps at the thought!

This human life and these hang ups will pass away, but our God will never pass away! To be the best mom is to pass along this hunger.  This yearning. This longing to be in our God's presence. It is a longing that will be fulfilled. Our God has promised, and He keeps His promises. What blessed assurance my children have, through their Redeemer, that they will sing with Him in glory. 

Gratias agimus tibi. Thank you for Your great Glory. 

Once Upon a Pyrex...

Once upon a time, there was a girl who fell in love with a dish.  A Pyrex dish, to be specific.  This love affair was a long time coming, since she had owned said dish since 1997. It was a beautiful yellow mixing bowl, that once belonged to her grandmother. She used it sporadically for popcorn. It had a few sisters: a similar but smaller green mixing bowl, and an identical orange bowl.

It sat in her cupboard. And there it stayed for 18 years.

Until one day, and she can't remember exactly why (but thinks Pinterest may be to blame), she got it out. She looked at it carefully.  She laid its little green sister inside, nestled close. Her mind began to roam to to her grandmother's hands as they mixed cake batter inside her bowl, as they snacked on potato chips filling her bowl.  She began to realize that it was missing its two littlest sisters: small red and blue bowls that were made to perfectly nestle inside the green bowl.

The Pyrex Primary set. Le sigh.

And this was the beginning. The beginning of her love affair with Pyrex. It became a treasure hunt to find the missing bowls to complete her grandmother's lonely set. Through flea markets and antique shops she hunted, looking for the perfect bowl to make its way into her little primary family.

And find them she did!! As she displayed them on her counter and fondly took pictures of them, she began to realize that there were so many more beautiful dishes to be found!! The hunt was on!!

As she collected more pieces, she would place them on her counter, not wanting to put them away. They were too fabulous to place in a cabinet! Too rich in history to hide behind a closed door! As her collection grew, she knew what was needed.

A display cabinet.

But not just any display cabinet, it needed to be a vintage piece of furniture. A display cabinet worthy of her prized dishware. So the hunt continued! She found a lovely, retro cabinet that she considered worthy to support the integrity of her vintage dishes. She arranged and arranged. It was glorious. She was happy.

Then she discovered Fire King.

Oh the beauty of Jade-ite!! The delicate lovely hues of Azurite! The intricate brush strokes of the Peach Blossom! The golden sheen of Peach Luster! These pieces began to find their way into her arms and into her home, and the lovely cabinet was becoming quite crowded. So it was decided: another cabinet was needed. Would she be able to find another vintage-dish-worthy cabinet? She would!!  A beautiful curved-glass-fronted cabinet was discovered at the flea market, and it would lovingly frame her treasures.

So there they stood, proudly displaying her vintage dishware collection. Her kitchen slowly began to transform into a vintage kitchen. She began to discover new antique and vintage shops, and flea markets where unique dishware and retro items could be found. A retro toaster sits on the counter, feeling so happy to be useful again. A Westclox clock sits on the window ledge, ticking away in contentedness. Milk glass salt and pepper shakers sit on the stove, anxiously awaiting meal time.

Milk Glass, did you say? Lovely white, opaque, and opalescent as the sun streams through its facets? Yes, milk glass, her newest love!  Never to compete with the her first loves of Pyrex and Fire King, but a love all of its own. And could it be, could it just be so! That she would have a perfect blue display bookshelf that belonged to her grandmother?? Yes it could!  Oh how the gleaming, white glass  stands out as if to say, "I am beautiful! I have stood the test of time! I belong on this shelf!"

And do you want to know a secret? This love can be shared!  It just so happens that this love is contagious! Her antiquing girlfriends have caught the vintage-dishware bug, and pieces are finding their way into their homes! Glory BE!!

Long ago, a yellow Pyrex mixing bowl belonged to my grandmother. Her memory, and the knowledge of countless other hands that have mixed, kneaded, stirred and baked, lives on in my kitchen.

The Voice

The Voice...a popular TV show, where hopeful new singers compete in front a panel of "coaches" (who are famous musicians) to win a record deal and potentially become famous. The series showcases new talent, and these coaches give advice and they help the new young singers shape and craft their voices. 

Let me shift gears a bit here...

I was struck with a thought during preschool circle time a few days ago.  Our wise teacher has begun saying, "Sign him up for the Jesus Team!!" It has really resonated with our students, and they say it all the time.  It is music to our ears, because they are so excited about being on His team!  I started thinking about how these children are THE VOICE of Christ. How, when we are "on his team," we are all the voice of Christ. 

I thought about that phrase, "The Voice of Christ."  I let it run around in my head for a few days, and jotted down a few thoughts. What actions do I portray that reflect Christ? What actions surely do not reflect Him? I began to look around our classroom, our school and our home for actions that are "the voice of Christ." Here are some things I saw:

...my youngest hugging his sister and saying "I love you"

...our track coaches encouraging and praising our young runners

...our preschool teacher lovingly leading our students in song

...the pastor of our church baptizing one of the newest "disciples of Christ"

...our choir director leading the choir during church

...5th grade students thanking the museum docents on our field trip

...4th grade students making birthday cards for our hot lunch worker

...my husband, despite being tired, playing games with our children

...my family pulling together to pray for my nephew who was having surgery

I realized that I was seeing examples everywhere.  To be the voice of Christ, you don't have to "preach" all the time.  To be His voice is to show his love, compassion, kindness, generosity and forgiveness.  There is a key element to these examples that was present as well: these people were knowingly doing their best to honor Him through their actions. These adults and children love their Savior, and they surely know this bible verse by heart:

"whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, 

you did for me." Matthew 25:40

All of this made me really stop and examine my own actions and thoughts. Do I show the voice of Christ? I want to be His voice! I want to honor him by helping others! I want my love for my brothers and sisters in Christ to show the way to the Savior! Because that is what this life is all about...honoring my Savior and loving others to Christ. 

Now back to that TV show...Its fun.  Its entertaining. Its lovely to watch the amazing talents God gives to His children. But it is also a good reminder of what kind of Voice I want to have. One that puts me on the music charts and gets me a record deal? Nice, I would have to admit, but ultimately not the true voice I want to have. 

May our voices be the Voice of Christ: caring, forgiving, helping, and loving others to Christ. 

Why I Became a Lutheran School Teacher

Once upon a time, long, long ago, there lived a little girl. She was a happy, carefree and well-loved child. As she grew, her parents told her of her Savior and how much He loved her. She was happy because she had the joy of the Holy Spirit growing inside her.  She was carefree because she was enveloped in the blanket of His care. She was well-loved, by her family and her Creator.

As she grew, she attended Trinity Lutheran School.  She was happy because she had the daily joy of sharing the knowledge of her Savior and seeing teachers who lived their lives for Christ.  She was carefree because she spent her days under that blanket of her Savior's care.  She was well-loved by her teachers.

When she was in high school, a life changing comment was made to her.  A teacher mentioned to her that she would make a good teacher one day. That single comment started the wheels of thought to begin turning. She thought about it for a long while. When the time came to choose a career after high school, there was one clear choice in her mind: teaching.

Early Childhood Teaching, specifically.  And there was one clear choice as to where to receive the best education: Concordia University. You see, she wanted to become a Lutheran School Teacher.

After four years of work and preparation, God made His plan known to her.  She would be placed at Immanuel Lutheran School, teaching second grade.  This was exciting!! And scary and overwhelming, but she jumped right in...knowing that she was under that amazing blanket of God's grace and care.  She could do all things through Him.

Now, jump 18 years to the present time. This is me, writing the story of how I became a Lutheran School Teacher. So much has happened since that first day of teaching second grade at Immanuel. My wedding, buying our first house, and three children. Endings and new beginnings, but they have all happened under the same blanket of grace that has covered my family and I from the beginning.

Now I am blessed again to teach little children, along with their parents as we Sing and Play and learn about God's love for us. I am blessed to help in the classroom one of the most amazing teachers I have ever met, who literally is effervescent with the love of Christ.

Why do I love being a Lutheran School teacher? Why is it amazing to teach a classroom full of disciples-in-training? Because the gift of a Christian education that was given to me by my parents and my teachers is too amazing to keep inside.

Yes, it is amazing and humbling to open the eyes of a child to new things...to letters and numbers, to helping the light bulb flicker and then shine, to see the spark of learning fan into a flame. But it is a greater joy to see the love of their Savior grow and grow, to mature every day, to become a faith that is sure and strong. I see this happening with my own children, and I see it happening with the children I get to teach. In my eyes, there is nothing more amazing than this.

Reading, writing and arithmetic? Are they important? Of course! But these things are nothing without the the care of Christ to nurture them. I became a Lutheran School teacher so that my students could learn all of these things under that blanket of care and grace of their Savior. There is no better place to be!