Pencil sharpening LEADS to many things...

I was sorting through papers at my desk today and Monet, complete with her missig two front teeth and new glasses, walked up and mentioned to me that her pencil was not "writing very well". I looked at the dull tip and smiled as I asked her "Well, would you like me to sharpen it for you?". She smiled, thinking that I had played into her little game.

The pencil sharpener is literally called "The Turbo", and its name is no overexaggeration. I believe it to be the king of all pencil sharpeners, the Benny "the Jet" Rodriguez, if you follow. In seconds it will transform the most lifeless tip into a lean-mean-wriing-machine. The kids in my class love it and know that it is not to be used all day long. Only by a professional (Mrs. Gillett and I), and only when they are lucky.

I knew Monet was hoping that I would offer to take care of her pencil for her. I did not expect the line of six-year-olds that followed soon after. I think I sharpened just about everyone's pencil this morning. Only about half were actually dull : ) but I would look at the already sharp ones, smile at my excited student, and give it a whirl anyway. They get so giddy, and it makes me feel lucky to bring them a little bit of joy. Even if it only consists of them watching the lighting speed sharpener.

My favorite part of the day was this: the smile and look Monet gave me as the kids continued to line up. Complete with her missing two front teeth and new glasses, she smirked and giggled...quite proud that she had started a movement in the classroom.

And so, being analytical, the wheels in my brain began to turn. Monet knew that I might have referred her to the small, manual sharpener on the shelf. However, she saw that the sharpener was out on my desk and took the opportunity. Even if she was trying to manipulate me with her cuteness, she took a risk. She encourged others to do the same, and many followed.

A leader is not so hard to find. It is not always that they are appointed or above everyone else, it is sometimes that they are simply willing. They take action, they physically move and walk across the room. Sometimes they walk across the world. Sometimes others follow, and they change the world.

Thanks for getting up today Monet. Thank you for moving and for taking a risk. I am daily taught lessons by my students and reminded of things that I will never forget.

Homeless

About an hour ago I answered the phone to hear Sammi on the other end of the line...in tears. She moved to San Marcos this year and her parents moved to Coranado. She was sitting in front of her old house just crying. "That is emotional suicide," I warned her as I got in my car and headed over to join her. I was greatful that she didn't want to go to my old house to give me an opportunity to fall apart too.

I don't feel like I have a home. I avoid driving up my old street because that house means nothing to me without my parents and beautiful sisters inside of it. Washington is where they are but still not home to me. My house is wonderful, alive, and full of roomies that I deeply love. But it is still not home.

I know there is a lesson in this. This is not a "transition period" or an "odd time" of life. This is my life. Where my feet are is where the Lord has me. I know His heart is my home and I desire to abide there constantly. I do not need the tangible. I need the truth.

I am a stranger here. I will never be at home on this earth. I am a citizen of Heaven and temporarily here where I have to opportunity to further His kingdom. Thank you Lord for the current circumstances that remind me of this! You overwhelm me with your timing!

"I've always known this wasn't home." -Bethany Dillon, in the song "Aimless"...listen to it!

For Sofia (She is leaving my classroom and leaving quite a void.)

You smile at me as if you have a great secret.
And I, in all my years, might be too wise to see it.

You're pure potenial while I have expired.
While you seize the day, I fear I've grown tired.

You're love is fearless, you're courage is bold.
I know I have cowered and let things grow cold.

Yet you look at me as if my knowledge is deep.
Though I am concinved you have lessons to teach.

You find me lovely, when you're the golden child.
I'm humbled and privleged you're warmed by my smile.

Sidenote (Expanded)

Only the valiant will understand this...

I would like to paint a picture and put all of me into every stroke.
I would like to play a symphany and put beauty into every note.
Because you see the art in me.
And I hear music when you speak.

Updated December 1st


These are the lyrics to a song that I was writing. It was intended to be two-fold. The more obvious intention (if you know my heart) is that it is a small part of a love song between the Lord and I. It was also meant for someone in my life who has been wonderfully encouraging and inspiring lately.

I decided that although the lines are simple and the stanza is short...that is all I am going to write. I said what I wanted to and am not going to go any further, except to explain a bit about what I mean.

When we feel recognized, cherished, and beautiful...it is amazing how our outlook on things changes. We feel more emboldened and capable. When someone believes in us, the results of our ambitions are often wonderful. When I started thinking upon this a bit more I came up with a question. When we are treasured and praised, do you think we produce greater things or is it that we fabricated great things all along but were not noticed?

This is too broad an idea to decide upon a difinitive answer. Also, I know that each individual situation is unique. So, I will be a little more transparent than usual and let you into my own life. I met someone who sees the art in me. Words are such an affirming thing to me and encouragement has always seemed to be a powerful modivation to my heart. Through the words and affirming actions of this individual, I have been so greatly uplifted. I feel valued and cared for. It's not that I did not have those things present in my life before; the Lord is more than enough to sustain those desires. It is simply this: sometimes the Lord provides people the ability to see us as He does. And when this happens...we are beautifully and marvelously free to be as extrordinary as He designed for us to be. It's like He gives us a little boost : ).

I have been studying verses and passages on "encouragement" and "glory" this week. I know that the Lord uses us as tools to spur one another on towards greatness. But it is now that I have seen this so gracisouly in my own life that I desire to know and understand it more deeply. I will keep updating this blog on what I discover. We will call this a preface, if you will.

P.S. Thank you for seeing the beauty in me. It enables me to show it to others.