School Days
11They won't go to school to learn about me,
or buy a book called God in Five Easy Lessons.
They'll all get to know me firsthand,
the little and the big, the small and the great.
Hebrews 8:11 (The Message)
There they were, at Valparaiso Elementary's graduation day - all those 5th graders we met 5 years ago when we first came to New Hope. As we walked into the cafeteria, their voices rang out "Miss Bunny", "Brother David", and we grinned and waved back. How they have grown! As the program began, each of the kids was called for one award or another, and it was hard to keep from cheering out of turn.
I watched them as they accepted the awards, and I looked carefully at the teachers as they presented them. Bunny and I don't really know who the best teachers are, not by any statistics at any rate. But as I looked at their eyes and saw the way they interacted with their kids, I formed some opinions. When we were talking afterwards with a parent, it turned out I was right. The teachers that I saw loving the kids and that the kids loved back by visibly trying to make sure they made their teacher proud were the ones every parent wanted their kids to have.
"Some families drive 30 miles just so they can have Mr. ____ as their child's teacher", one parent told me. That's a pretty amazing testimony of the influence one person can have with a child. Teaching really can be a place to serve God and society. What a difference they can make!
But now, fifth grade has ended, and that teacher is forever part of the child's past. Their influence may last a long time, but they will never be with "their kids" again. It was bittersweet realizing that one period was ending in the kid's lives, and they move into 6th grade next year - the great unknown - without the teachers and staff of Valparaiso Elementary that have known them most of their lives.
There is always some apprehension when changing schools, meeting new teachers, leaning new routines. We love these kids, and prayed that they'd go on and have a great time next year. Still, I was leaving with a little sadness. We'll just have to trust God, I told myself.
Then this verse in Hebrews popped into my mind, "They'll all get to know me firsthand, the little and the big, the small and the great."
Not only will this teacher never be left behind, but He'll also make sure every single "student" has His full attention. I thank God for that. For after the books and FCATs are long past, the relationship those kids have with Jesus will continue. They'll never be out of His care.
Nor will you!
Grace!
David
A Glimpse of New Hope is my attempt to share the hope I have found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Should you no longer wish to receive it, or find that you have received it in error, please write me at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I will immediately remove you. Past "Glimpses" are archived at www.newhopevalp.org Thanks and God bless, David Wilson
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Monday, May 16, 2005
I Saw Jesus At the Zoo
Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?" 3Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.
John 9:1-3 The Message
I saw a lot of God's work Saturday at the Zoo.
Yes, there were lions and tigers and bears a plenty, but oh my, I saw Jesus too. We had 30 New Hope folks out to see the wonders of God's creation at the Zoo at Gulf Breeze. Young and old, we had come to have a great time together. And we did. One of the things I love about New Hope is that we have fun! Sometimes it might be hard to tell we are Baptists. :)
Our friend Allan was with us. He's high maintenance to be sure, since though he has the body of a 23 year old man, he has the mind and heart of a child, with the energy to match. Allan can be very insistent, frequently interrupts, and has all the fears and insecurities of a child as well. He's a joy, and he's a handful. But he's ours - we love Allan. At first, I had responsibility for him. We rode out in the same car and began our adventure at the zoo together.
But not for long, because Diane Weech became Allan's fast friend Saturday. (note to self - check on sainthood for Baptists for Diane)
Diane made sure Allan had a great time, and I watched as she helped him explore the wonders of the zoo. He loved some parts and didn't like others - no bat cave for Allan, and he got scared even in the restroom. Yet I heard him laughing and chattering as he took it all in. But it was at the end of the train ride that I saw something amazing. The train held about 40 people, and was driven by a young man who also served as our guide to what we saw. It was a hot and humid day, and sitting behind an engine inside a metal enclosure can't be the best way to keep cool. But the young man did a great job the whole way. It was a great way to see hippos, gorillas, a rhino, and herds of other African animals.
We made the circuit, and all too soon the train returned to the station. We all began to disembark and started gathering to leave the park. Allan had gotten on the train hesitantly, but getting off, he was scared to step down. So the attendant got a set of stairs and helped Allan down. He was very kind, and turned to leave, thinking nothing of it. That was his job.
Allan stopped him, and after first trying to shake his hand and finding that they were both full, he put his hand on the man's arm, and told him thank you - three times. The young man seemed to really appreciate the gesture.
It is at times like that that I get a glimpse of what God sees in Allan and those like him. They practice the truth of "the greatest is love" every day. Sometimes we need to be reminded of just how God can use us to touch others with Jesus' love.
When Allan did that Saturday, he looked a lot like Jesus to me.
Grace!
David
A Glimpse of New Hope is my attempt to share the hope I have found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Should you no longer wish to receive it, or find that you have received it in error, please write me at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I will immediately remove you. Past "Glimpses" are archived at www.newhopevalp.org
Thanks and God bless, David Wilson
Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?" 3Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.
John 9:1-3 The Message
I saw a lot of God's work Saturday at the Zoo.
Yes, there were lions and tigers and bears a plenty, but oh my, I saw Jesus too. We had 30 New Hope folks out to see the wonders of God's creation at the Zoo at Gulf Breeze. Young and old, we had come to have a great time together. And we did. One of the things I love about New Hope is that we have fun! Sometimes it might be hard to tell we are Baptists. :)
Our friend Allan was with us. He's high maintenance to be sure, since though he has the body of a 23 year old man, he has the mind and heart of a child, with the energy to match. Allan can be very insistent, frequently interrupts, and has all the fears and insecurities of a child as well. He's a joy, and he's a handful. But he's ours - we love Allan. At first, I had responsibility for him. We rode out in the same car and began our adventure at the zoo together.
But not for long, because Diane Weech became Allan's fast friend Saturday. (note to self - check on sainthood for Baptists for Diane)
Diane made sure Allan had a great time, and I watched as she helped him explore the wonders of the zoo. He loved some parts and didn't like others - no bat cave for Allan, and he got scared even in the restroom. Yet I heard him laughing and chattering as he took it all in. But it was at the end of the train ride that I saw something amazing. The train held about 40 people, and was driven by a young man who also served as our guide to what we saw. It was a hot and humid day, and sitting behind an engine inside a metal enclosure can't be the best way to keep cool. But the young man did a great job the whole way. It was a great way to see hippos, gorillas, a rhino, and herds of other African animals.
We made the circuit, and all too soon the train returned to the station. We all began to disembark and started gathering to leave the park. Allan had gotten on the train hesitantly, but getting off, he was scared to step down. So the attendant got a set of stairs and helped Allan down. He was very kind, and turned to leave, thinking nothing of it. That was his job.
Allan stopped him, and after first trying to shake his hand and finding that they were both full, he put his hand on the man's arm, and told him thank you - three times. The young man seemed to really appreciate the gesture.
It is at times like that that I get a glimpse of what God sees in Allan and those like him. They practice the truth of "the greatest is love" every day. Sometimes we need to be reminded of just how God can use us to touch others with Jesus' love.
When Allan did that Saturday, he looked a lot like Jesus to me.
Grace!
David
A Glimpse of New Hope is my attempt to share the hope I have found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Should you no longer wish to receive it, or find that you have received it in error, please write me at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I will immediately remove you. Past "Glimpses" are archived at www.newhopevalp.org
Thanks and God bless, David Wilson
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