Still Waters
"...He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul…" (Psalm 23:2-3 ESV).
Photo/Karen Jordan
Happy Birthday, Bro!
My BIG bro turns 59 today! Happy Birthday, Tommy!
"Come follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men" (Mark 1:17).
Tommy knows, "If you catch 'em, He'll clean 'em!"
Photo/T. Barnes
E-Zine: Walk On
Read my latest e-zine article, "Walk On ."
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. ‘Make level paths for your feet,’ so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed” (Hebrews 12:11-12).
Photo/Karen Jordan
"The Road Ahead" at Sunrise
"...Selah
His glory covered the heavens
and his praise filled the earth.
His splendor was like the sunrise;
rays flashed from his hand,
where his power was hidden"
(Habakkuk 3:3-4 NIV).
Photo/Dan Jordan
What the Bible is All About for Moms: God's Loving Promises for You and Your Family by Kathy Pride (Regal)
Renowned Bible teacher Henrietta Mears had a dream: to make the Bible accessible to everyone. What the Bible Is All About realizes her dream, and that book has become an essential companion for students of the Bible for more than 50 years.
What the Bible Is All About for Moms is the second devotional based on Dr. Mears classic study guide. These 66 readings, one for each book of the Bible, will bring God's Word into the homes and hearts of moms of all ages. Each chapter includes mom-specific excerpts from Henrietta's original text, suggested Scripture reading for daily or weekly study, a devotional reading to connect the days verses to the everyday lives of mothers, a few ideas about applying God's Word to the reader's life and a suggested thought or question for further reflection. Moms are in the Bible from beginning to end, and now the Bible can be in the hearts and minds of moms!
About Kathy Pride
First, a little bit about me and how this book came to be…
So, let’s chat. I love chatting! And meeting new people, especially moms.
I am a mom, I have a mom, and I have worked with moms for years as a childbirth educator. And my writing style is much like my teaching style, telling things like they are with truth, humor and transparency.
I hated it when the instructor told me in Lamaze class that the contractions wouldn’t hurt. That was simply not true. And I vowed then and there that everything I did in life had to be truthful, but that sometimes the truth hurts so humor tempers lots.
Anyway, I have four kids, two adult sons, 28 and 25, and two younger daughters, eleven and thirteen, and for those who wonder about the gap, our third child was actually the only one truly, truly planned for the time she arrived, as she was adopted and brought home from Vietnam at five months of age.
My husband and I have been married for almost thirty years and met in college and have hung in and on ever since. We live in a small town in Central PA where he is a physician and I spend most of my time after three p.m. in the car.
The opportunity to write this book came to be as a result of a totally divine happenstance conversation I had with editor extraordinaire and grace dispenser Kim Bangs who invited me to submit a concept sheet and then proposal for this book.
Well, what about that soft spot for moms?
Moms have a tough job, don’t you think?
We do have the Bible, and not to minimize that as an instruction manual in right living by any stretch of the imagination, but it tends to come in after friends and family and all their free advice, that can be pretty costly…
So the question arose, how can we take Biblical wisdom and stories, role models and examples, and weave them into relevant (and funny) stories to encourage moms? I know I need encouragement! Everyone else’s kids may be perfect, but mine are NOT. And, shocker, neither am I. But guess what? Neither were many of the moms, ok, all of the moms in the Bible. Remember, Jesus has the corner on the market in the perfection department, so God has provided lots of examples of moms and how they dealt with different situations, similar to what current day moms deal with. Truly, there is nothing new under the sun. But, the story of the Bible is one of redemption, and moms need to remember that.
About the Book
So, the opening story for Genesis, is titled, “E is for Eve and Epidurals.”
So, tell us a little bit about how the book is laid out, and who is Henrietta Mears?
The book is inspired by the writing of Henrietta Mears, renowned Bible Teacher from Hollywood Presbyterian Church in the 1940’s and on. She believed in making the Bible accessible to everyone, and wrote her hallmark publication, What the Bible is All About, and was the founder of Gospel Light Publishing, Regal’s (the publisher of this book) parent company. So Regal has now published two devotionals inspired by her writing.
The book is comprised of 66 chapters, one for each book of the Bible, each one bit sized for busy moms.
Each chapter starts off with a brief section entitled “Snapshot from Henrietta” which serves as a basic overview for that particular book of the Bible. It is then followed by selected Scriptures, also inspired by the writing of Miss Mears, with one specific Scripture from among her selections highlighted. This Scripture is one that has particular relevance to moms.
A short one sentence synopsis precedes each story under the heading, “Momento” and then is followed by the story under the heading, “Mama Mia” which focuses on a mom or mom theme.
Each story is followed by an encouragement, “Lightening the Mother Load” and then closes with questions for reflection under “Musings for Moms.”
Tell us a little about the stories; some of these titles make me laugh.
I am so glad they make you laugh. Every mom who has gone through labor can relate to labor pain. Well, it says there right in the Bible, women will experience pain in childbirth, so E is for Eve (the grande dame mama) and epidurals…
Then there are others, like, “Bath—Is That for Bathing or Bathsheba?" (Being noticed and admired…); “White Teeth and Plastic Surgery” (paying attention to appearances); “Mean Girls 101” (raising great daughters); and “Too Much Idling Will Ruin Your Engine” (Gossiping).
But the stories are relevant, honest, and will result in many nods of recognition. I am simply the scribe (oh, and experiencer of most of the stories, which are all true, although some names have been changed….)
But aren’t Moms too busy to read?
I will be the first mom to admit that we are busy…and I often fall asleep at night, sometimes drooling, while trying to read. But these chapters are bite sized, uplifting and include lots of Scripture, and can be read on the go. They are great for the car or purse. Plus, with the Bible overview, if you have friends who don’t think the Bible is particularly relevant, or not for them, this is perfect to introduce them to the Bible as the real deal!
Is this for all moms, or just young moms?
The challenges that moms face are really universal throughout their lifetime. It may be a different story, but ultimately it is the same script. It may be sleepless nights with a colicky baby, but problems and not understanding what is wrong continues with your kids through a lifetime (sorry, if you have young kids you probably didn’t just want to read this…)
It includes single moms, young moms, older moms, and moms who aren’t yet moms. There are struggles in yearning to be a mom and God’s answers and timing that are also written about with bittersweet honesty.
Have you had experience with tough times in parenting?
Absolutely. But because God is in the grand business of redemption, while it doesn’t condone wrongs, He will use mistakes to help us reach out to others. I have experienced crisis pregnancy, pregnancy loss, infertility, adoption and motherhood as a young fool, and older fogie…remember, we have seventeen years between number one and four. Our adult sons have had struggles (one son’s struggle with substance abuse is what paved the way to my relationship with Christ) and just real life issues, which would make it into my annual Christmas letter, and is why I no longer write one (no, I write a book instead…)
How has this book been redemptive to you?
That’s a great question, because the first draft of this manuscript was, well, a little let’s just say, sharp (ok, downright caustic in some places) and that showed me, through the eyes of another, that I still had significant healing to go through in my relationship with my own mother. And it is amazing how God has accomplished that, through allowing me to write, re write and then learn from Him through the writing of this book.
What kind of feedback have you had so far?
You know, it’s been really encouraging. Moms are relieved that they are not alone, that there is someone else who will acknowledge that they don’t have it all together (and don’t drive a clean car, either…) I have had so many women remark that they felt like I was just chatting with them over coffee, that the stories are so real to life. And that’s what we need isn’t it? Encouragement from others that we journey through life together, God loves us, will redeem our mistakes, and then enable us to share with the next sojourner on the journey of life.
What else would you like to share?
I would love for people to join the conversation, come stop by for a visit at my web site: www.kathypride.com, also known as The Mennonite Diva. Friend me on Facebook , although there I listed my “full” name for some unknown reason, Katherine Pride (so formal) follow my blog on the home page of my website , and just hang out.
Wait just one minute…did you say Mennonite Diva? Tell me about that.
Sure. First of all, my message of encouragement to women is that they all need to release their Inner Diva’s. They are Divinely Chosen, Inspiring, Valued and Amazing. I worship at a Mennonite Church where I also serve as the Outreach and Missions Director, and I love pink and having fun. So please drop by!
Follow Kathy Pride on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/Kathy.Pride.Mennonite.Diva
Follow Kathy Pride on Twitter:
A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me as a blog tour host by the author in exchange for posting this interview on my blog. Please visit Christian Speaker Services at www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com for more information about blog tour management services.
Remembering Mother (on her birthday, July 22)
When I arrived at Mother’s doorstep, I heard loud wails and intense sobbing inside. I recognized my mother’s voice, so I opened the door and rushed in without knocking. Mother sat on the edge of her rocking chair with her hands covering her face.
My sister, Cathy, frowned and shrugged her shoulders as our eyes met. She sat next to Mother on a stool, tissues in hand, ready to provide whatever comfort she would accept.
“Mother?” I hurried across the room and embraced her.
“She’s been like this all day,” Cathy explained as she fought back the tears.
Some undiagnosed disease was destroying my mother’s mind. Confusion and darkness ruled her thoughts. And as I knelt down to hug her, she melted into my arms.
“Mother, are you afraid of dying?” I felt her fear surrounding us.
“No…of living!” she cried.
Mother had faced death before and survived. But a few years earlier, when her heart failed during surgery, Mother caught a glimpse of the horror of dying without any assurance of Heaven. Mother said that the darkness and horrific ordeal terrified her and forced her to face the emptiness of her faith. Afterward, she discovered the missing link in her spiritual life—Jesus Christ.
As Mother faced her terminal illness, fear and doubts flooded her consciousness again. Would Jesus provide an answer to alleviate her fear this time? Could she really trust Him to be with her as she walked through the valley of her impending death?
I couldn’t save Mother from her disease, but I could choose to trust the Lord to walk with us all through it. As God reminded me of His promises, I recalled God's faithfulness through the years. And as we walked though Mother’s last days, God once again provided all that we needed.
Sitting with my mother on her sofa one day near the end of her journey, I noticed her eyes fixed on the high ceiling in her townhouse.
“What do you see, Mother?”
“Heaven,” she responded without changing her expression.
Shocked by her answer, I asked, “What does it look like?”
“Huge,” she sighed.
What a perfect description of Heaven, I thought.
Mother remained silent after sharing her vision of Heaven with me, until she whispered with her final breath, "I'm home."
© 2008 Karen Jordan All Rights Reserved
Photo/Burnelle Allen Barnes Baize
Letting Go
"Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?" (Psalm 42:11)
When was the last time you reached the "end of your rope"? What did you do? Recently, I released my grip, and I let go of things very important to me because of the stress of "change."
I haven’t been on-line in awhile. Yes, I’ve checked e-mail occasionally, twittered a bit, and even prowled around on Facebook. But my "real" work as a freelance writer came to a halt unexpectedly last month.
Yoke. Why? Life just seemed too difficult. We sold our home of twenty years, and we relocated to a beautiful, retirement community in Central Arkansas. Yet I still did not experience "true" rest, in spite of my new environment.
Neither my husband nor I retired. Dan still drives to work in Little Rock five days a week. And I still have tons of freelance opportunities piled up in my office, staring me in the face. But for some strange reason, I could not face my tasks these past few weeks. Writing became a burden too heavy for me to bear.
Call it “depression,” “burn-out,” "brokenness," or "whatever"—but my circumstances got the best of me. And I could not pull myself out of the pit I'd fallen into. So, I just “let go,” and I fell even deeper into a period of doubt and (yes) unbelief.
Cave. I wrote a little about my "cave" experience a few months ago on BLESSED. And even though I had hopes of climbing out of my cave back then, I continued to succomb to negative, destructive thoughts.
Even as I recorded what I was learning about rest, I found no peace of mind or rest. I couldn't seem to put into practice what I was learning. When I spoke to anyone about my discoveries about rest, I'd fall prey to thoughts of guilt, hopelessness, and failure. And I could hear echos of the "Twilight Zone" theme. I imagined people rolling their eyes, judging me as a "Jesus freak" or worse—spiritual heretic.
I wondered, How can I possibly write anything of value about rest, when I’m still one of the most anxious people I know?
Thankfully, now I'm crawling out of that slump again. Hopefully, I'm on the road to true rest. And I plan to write more about my "cave" experience and rest soon. But for now, I'm inching slowly on the road to rest, taking life one day at a time.
Journey. I know that my journey to find rest is not over; I'm right in the middle of it. I identify with this confession, found in God's Word: "...I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on..." (Philippians 3:13-14).
I hope to share my spiritual discoveries in future blogs. But before I get over my head again and make more commitments than I can keep, I wanted to give my BLESSED readers a hint about where I've been on my journey.
Hope you’ll check in on me at BLESSED, so you can catch the rest of my story.
BLESSED,
Karen
Photos/Karen Jordan
QUESTIONS: Have you ever felt like you had reached the "end of your rope"? What did you do?
Your comments and stories continue to encourage me and others. We look forward to hearing from you.
Blog Tour: Ready to Win Over Depression by Thelma Wells (Harvest House Publishers)
Every year depression strikes more than 35 million in the United States alone. Popular speaker and author Thelma Wells knows firsthand how difficult depression can be. She provides powerful tools readers can use to successfully battle depression. With her trademark action-based, faith living, Thelma offers powerful real-life stories, medical facts, and biblical truths. She helps readers evaluate where they are (clinical depression, situational depression, “the blues”) and implement four steps to counter life’s negatives:
ORDER NOW
- change the way they talk
- share their feelings with someone
- take care of their health—physical and mental
- get outside themselves by helping others
Using interactive self-evaluations, readers tackle depression at the source by applying God’s promises and principles. Thelma says, “Most of all, they’ll see how they can become winners over the effects of depression. Don’t give in—God wants you to win in every situation!”
About the Author
From times of singing in a dark closet to the founding of a national women’s mentoring ministry, Thelma Wells' life has been a courageous journey of faith. The name on her birth certificate read simply: Baby Girl Morris. Thelma’s mother was a severely deformed teenager with no husband and no place to go, since her own abusive mother insisted that she take the baby and leave the house. So when the baby was born, her unwed teenage mother found work as a maid cleaning “the big house” while living with her baby daughter in servants’ quarters. Eventually, the baby went to live with her great-grandparents, who called her Thelma Louise Smith and loved her dearly. They took little Thelma to church, where she learned to love the hymns and praise songs.
On those occasions when Thelma was taken to her grandparents’ home, her grandmother abused her, just as she had tormented Thelma’s mother. She was locked in a dark, smelly, insect-infested closet until just before her grandfather came home when her grandmother would bring her out of the closet, clean her up, and act as if all was well. In spite of her deep fear, little Thelma spent her time in the closet singing every hymn and praise song she could remember. She would sing herself to sleep in that closet, and the Lord received this little girl’s innocent praise and rewarded it with an abundant life of joy, protecting her from feelings of anger or bitterness.
Thelma grew up to become a trailblazer for black women, a prominent international speaker and author, and a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. As a student at North Texas State University in Denton, Texas (now the University of North Texas), she was a member of the first group of girls to integrate the school’s dormitories. She earned her Bachelor’s degree there and eventually received a Master’s of Ministry from Master’s International School of Divinity in Evansville, Indiana. In 2002 she became the school’s first black female professor.
In 1980 Thelma became the first black woman in the South to organize her own international speaking and consulting corporation. Her natural talent for public speaking and storytelling attracted the attention of the Women of Faith Tour, and in 1996 she became the first black core speaker for the organization. She has authored several books, including her latest God Is Not Through With Me Yet, an inspiring examination of her own life experiences in which she encourages readers to “sing in the closets of their lives.” She serves as the president of The Daughters of Zion Leadership Mentoring Program, an organization she founded in 2000 (another first for a black woman). Through this ministry, “Mama T,” as she is affectionately called, has mentored over 100 spiritual daughters, received an honorary doctorate degree and was ordained into the Christian Ministry on December 16, 2008, from St. Thomas Christian College and Theological Seminary and the Association of Christian Churches in Jacksonville, Florida. She was also was named Extraordinary Woman of the Year 2008 by Mrs. Julie Clinton, Host of the Extraordinary Women Conferences an affiliate of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Thelma has been married to George Wells, her best friend, supporter, and encourager, for over 45 years. The couple lives in Dallas, Texas, and has three children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Find out how to have Thelma speak for your group's event
CLICK HERE
In your introduction, you state that you’ve been there – you’ve been depressed. Tell us about that.
Yes, I have. This story is told in detail in the book, however, I had surgery several years ago and within a few days the incision split open and my intestines were exposed. This was probably by far the worst pain I’ve ever experienced. After a quick trip back to the hospital to repair the damage, I spent over a year bed-ridden, disabled, and recovering. I’m not the kind of person to lie down and take things slow, especially when it’s forced on me. Yet, in this situation I had no choice but to stop and heal. It wasn’t easy and I faced a lot of fears and I experienced situational depressed during this time.
How do you define depression?
Some of us are more prone to depression than others. The influences that bring us down in our spirits can come from many sources and directions. Depression can be a complex picture. But let’s face it. The main reason we get despondent is simply because life happens. And nobody’s life is a constant procession of uplifting, rejuvenating, invigorating experiences. Everybody’s life has downers. We easily get off-balance in so many ways, and this hurts. The TV commercial that says, "Depression hurts" is true.
Does your book focus on one type of depression?
For most of us, the depression we typically encounter isn’t the severe or clinical category, medically speaking. The typical depression is situational. This doesn’t mean they’re painless or less important or harmless.
Dr. Archibald D. Hart, a leading Christian psychologist and dean emeritus of the School of Psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary writes, "While these depressions are not usually as serious as the biological ones, they can be much more difficult to cope with."
In your first Chapter, you talk about "Who get’s depressed?" Does depression affect certain groups of people more than others?
Every year depression strikes more than 35 million in the United States alone. We’re seeing depression with frightening regularity in ourselves, our relatives, and our friends. Dr. Harts states, "There is hardly a family today that is not touched by depression’s tentacles." Depression affects people of all social classes, all races, and all cultures, but there’s one group that’s especially hard hit…women. Also there is an alarming increase in children and the elderly.
What are the triggers and causes of depression?
Psychology Information Online, which includes content provided by the National Institute on Mental Health, notes that "a depressive episode" can be triggered by "a serious loss, chronic illness, relationship problems, work stress, family crisis, financial setback, or any unwelcome life change." Sometimes depression is brought on by an underlying disease or biochemical disorder. Whatever the cause of our depression, it needs to be faced and understood realistically—and then accepted for what it truly is.
Does the Bible speak about depression?
It does in several places and we see it in the lives of David, Jeremiah, and Paul. Psalms 42 and 43 together represent the cry of a downcast soul—someone who is hurting and thirsting for God. Paul describes our loving Father as "God, who comforts the downcast" (2 Corinthians 7:6).
Christians do get depressed, but it’s a temporary state. God allows us to experience it as a means to attaining something better. Our hope and contentment are based on seeing our past and present difficulties as gifts from God to prepare us and enable us to do more for Him by sharing Christ, finding delight in God and what He ordains.
What are the steps you outline for "Doing something about it." And why are these important?
- Take Care of Yourself Physically – How healthy we are physically always impacts our mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
- Don’t be Deceived – Your emotions can fool you into questioning or not knowing what’s real or not real. Depression can cause some strange symptoms.
- You’re Your Own Captive Audience – People talk to themselves. We all do it. When we talk to ourselves, we need to watch what we’re saying. You see, when we talk to ourselves, we invoke our consciousness. And in our conscious awareness, we truly hear what we say. Our subconscious hearts it—and believes it! Then our creative self-conscious gets busy working it out…whether or not it’s true, real, positive, negative, or healthy.
Hope is a key word used throughout the book, but especially in the last chapter. What does the mystery of hope mean?
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick..." (Proverbs 13:12). Hope and prayer always go together. In fact, prayer is the voice of hope. When there’s hopelessness, prayer dries up and blows ways. Real hope is huge! To have a biblical hope found in Ephesians 4:1-16 is to possess "living hope."
From page 99 to page 109, I discuss the facets of hope that we can attain when we refocus our attention from us to God. Our living hope is not in things, people’s opinions, positions, status, or any tangible findings of life. No, it rests upon the spiritual and emotional stability of our minds on the only wise God, our Father, who can help us in our depressed states every day. This living hope is in Jesus, the Anointed One, whose job it is to redeem us for all things that oppress us. The only hope for the world is Jesus. The only help for the world is a touch from God.
You spend a whole chapter on "Looking Outward." Why is this important?
At the risk of bursting someone’s bubble…the world doesn’t revolve around you. I know you might have thought it did. I used to think the same thing about me. One of the best ways to deal with depression is to do something for somebody without expecting anything in return.
Search for a volunteer organization, mentor a child or young person, or find someone who needs help with something and help them. Do something. That’s the key.
I have several activities available via my ministry that offer opportunities to people to connect with others. Join me on excursions across the country and to Israel studying the Word, relaxing, rejuvenating and enjoying the life God has given us. We are also launching the Ready to Win Web Cast University with a variety of experts to offer you the best in Christian instruction, study, and education. I have hand selected several outstanding speakers that will enable you to be READY TO WIN in every situation. Both of these and more are available on my web site at www.ThelmaWell.com.
How is the book different from others? People have a handy reference at their fingertips for calling their attention to what they are facing in terms of situational depression. People have at their fingertips information that they can share with others who may be experienced the same kind of depression. There are reminders in the book that are encouraging and inspiring that can be used as a devotional. There are stories that people can relate to and realize that they are not alone and there is always help. How do you see individuals, small groups and even churches using this book? Not only is the book appropriate for individuals, it is designed for group work for small and large study sessions. Because it is a simple lay-out and intentionally open-ended, it can be used as a guide for therapists with their clients, ladies groups of any kind, church groups, Sunday School classes, Bible studies, or references for children’s groups that are concerned about situational depression in our children. Where connect with you further on this topic? Or, purchase a copy of this book?
I would love for them to visit my web site at
This book is different from others because it gives the reader a non-threatening opportunity to ask themselves questions and answer those questions in the book as they are reading it. It is not a course of study; it is a means of helping them "get it out." It allows them to analyze their state of being and work through it alone so that it is there personal and confidential analysis and directives for healing.
What results do you see that can come from reading this book?
The results I see from reading this book are:
www.ThelmaWells.com, browse through the various events and other resources available, as well as sign up for my mailing list. I would also like to connect with people on the new Facebook page we set up specifically for this topic at
READY TO WIN OVER DEPRESSION is also available online and at local bookstores such as, Family Christian Stores, Lifeway Christian Stores, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble Book Stores, Mardel’s, Anchor Distributors, Christianbook.com, and many other stores and vendors throughout American and the United Kingdom.
www.facebook.com/readytowinoverdepression. Or they can find me on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/Thelmaw. ************************************************
Again, let me say…if you or someone you know is dealing with depression, you are not crazy. God knows you’re not crazy. And He also has a perfect antidote for your depression. Nothing escapes Him, and he knows you far better than you know yourself. Isn’t that a relief and comfort?
A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me as a blog tour host by the author in exchange for posting this interview on my blog. Please visit Christian Speaker Services at www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com
for more information about blog tour management services.
Photos/Christian Speaker Services
Remembering Sergio
When I studied in Spain a few years ago, a five-year-old boy named Sergio, the grandson of my hostess, Beni, served as one of my best language teachers. Sergio would sit with me at the kitchen table, after everyone else had left the room after a meal, and pretend to be my teacher. Child Teacher. As Sergio picked up each piece of fruit, one-by-one, in the ceramic bowl on the kitchen table, he would offer it to me and wait for me to tell him the name of the fruit in Spanish. If I didn’t respond quickly enough, he would look me straight in the eyes and teach me the appropriate word.
“Me-lo-co-tón,” Sergio said slowly, as he held up a peach and waited for me to repeat after him. And after I responded, he would flash his bright smile, clap his hands, and applaud, “¡Qué bien!” [Great!]
Then, Sergio would grab another piece of fruit and continue to quiz me, until he thought I had mastered each Spanish word. As he grabbed a banana, I would always laugh as I responded, “Ba-na-na.” [Sergio didn’t know we used some of the same words in English.]
I bought Sergio candy and toys when I went shopping to express my gratitude to him. One day, I gave him the mini-flashlight that I carried in my purse from home. As he ran to show his mother, he danced around the apartment snapping the light off and on.
Sergio also reminded me of my own grandson, Miles, who was just a few years older than him. And he helped me not feel quite as homesick as I interacted with him. Adult Student. In studying Spanish as an adult, I experienced both humiliation and judgment. Since I was somewhat shy, my host family often became very impatient that I had not mastered their language. The looks they exchanged when I tried to speak in their tongue were downright de-humanizing and embarrassing at times. They would sigh heavily and roll their eyes. Then, they would speak slowly with raised voices, as they repeated phrases toward me.
I felt so ignorant when I couldn’t find the words to express what I wanted to say. But Sergio always responded to me with patience and kindness. He helped me because he wanted to be with me, and we always enjoyed our time together.
Life-long Learner. I suppose I was too stubborn to give up on the goal of becoming bilingual during my studies in Spain, even with all the difficulty I faced. I now appreciate the Hispanic population in my own community, and the struggles they must encounter to survive in a country where most people do not speak their native language.
I discovered some surprises about myself in my efforts to learn another language. My husband, Dan, became more aware of my weaknesses than anyone. I’m sure he’ll never forget the night he walked into our family room at midnight and found me on our carpeted floor in a fetal position—crying because I had received a “B” in a conversational Spanish class.
I laugh when I think of that particular moment now. But at the time, I didn’t see the humor in the situation. Learning a new language proved to be one of the most humbling and difficult experiences of my life. But in spite of the hardships and disappointments, I enjoyed some of my most memorable and effective teachable moments with my young friend, Sergio.
© 2009 Karen Jordan All Rights Reserved [Re-post from BLESSED Journal]
Photo/Grant Harrison (grandkids 2008)
Photo/Dan Jordan (Miles)
Can you think of a time when a child taught you a valuable life lesson? I look forward to your comments.
Baited Obedience
The Search. Ethan’s silence prompts Tara once again to begin a search for her two year old.
“Mommy, I think he’s in the bathroom,” four-year-old Aidan beams, his hands on his hips, and his head tilted to one side.
Tara stumbles over a dozen Hot Wheels as she hurries down the hall. Stopping at the closed bathroom door, she listens for evidence of mischief.
“Ethan, open the door please.”
The Sneak. Muffled giggles echo in the newly tiled bathroom as the faucet begins to flow freely. Tara turns the knob while leaning to push the door open, only to find it blocked. Ethan takes cover—barricaded by an open drawer, securing him from all outside intruders. “Ethan!” Tara demands.
Again, Ethan refuses to respond to his mother’s request. Safe behind his fortress and proud of his temporary victory, he chuckles.
The Snack. After hearing her young prankster, Tara pauses to plot how to extricate him from his makeshift hideout. Then, she smiles and announces to her other preschooler, “Aidan, thank you for not playing in the bathroom. Let’s go pick something for you from our treat box.”
Listening for Ethan’s predictable reaction to her bait, Tara leads Aidan toward his coveted reward.
“I’m coming—wait!” As Ethan struggles to open the door, he slams the cabinet drawer and drops a handful of toothbrushes. Then, he bolts to the kitchen leaving the bathroom faucet running.
When Ethan turns the corner into the kitchen, he witnesses his older brother choosing a snack. And Ethan whines, “Can I have some candy, Mommy?”
“I’m sorry, Ethan. You chose not to obey me, so you won’t get your special treat today.”
The Sorrow. Ethan stops and frowns in disgust as Aidan provokes him with a sly grin. Then, Ethan glares at his older brother, obviously angered by his mother’s response. Suddenly, Ethan turns and stomps into his bedroom.
As Ethan stares out his bedroom window, he crosses his chubby little arms and glances over his shoulder, hoping to earn some sympathy. Even at his tender young age, he learns the high cost of disobedience.
© 2009 Karen Jordan All Rights Reserved [Repost from BLESSED Journal]
Karen Jordan
Karen Jordan addresses topics about her faith, family, and writing. Find Karen’s website at www.karenjordan.net.
