BJ

I continue to write about what a young person has said to me. My only wish is that I had kept a journal through all my years of teaching, on what they taught me through their innocent words. This time, I am telling you about BJ.
BJ was my quiet fifth grader. It was my third year to have him, in a low-level class I instructed. He was like a teddy bear, with a sweet face, a bit overweight, a child who never got excited about anything. His temperament was gentle, always speaking in the same, rather monotonous, voice.
He was in a class of eight boys. If you know boys, you are aware of them not being able to sit still for too long. They like to be active, releasing their never-ending energy. But not BJ. He was content, observing his classmates, as they participated with excitement in my planned activities. Because I had had the same eight boys for three years, we were like family, not hesitant to say anything in a dialogue. Sweet BJ would take it all in, but rarely wanted to join us in our discourses. During our fun and stimulating discussions, with the boys calling out answers to my questions, BJ would not say a word. Once, I went over to him, going through some motions as if I was playing charades, and asked him if he could figure out what I was attempting to say. He could not. I had pretended to light a match, placing it under his desk. I said I was trying to light a fire under him to make him become alive. Knowing my sense of humor, he and the other boys gave me a big grin. The fire quickly went out. That was okay, as BJ made me have a grin, being just himself.
To see if my students have retained what I have taught, I throw a beanbag to one of them, asking a question as I toss it. They are to answer the question once they have the beanbag in their hands. This is what I was doing one afternoon, after having an extensive unit on the journey of Lewis and Clark. We had spent weeks learning about their two-year expedition, with many exciting activities completed. The boys had great retention of their travels between 1804 and 1806.
Throwing the beanbag to BJ, I asked him to tell me when Lewis and Clark returned from their journey. For several seconds, he was pondering upon the question, his eyes telling me he was searching for the answer in his mind. Ah, a reply suddenly came to him. He announced, “About eight o’clock!”
Once again, BJ made me grin! What could I say? Maybe they did return at that time. What a precious answer! I did tell him that they might have returned around eight, but it was not quite the answer I was looking for.
What is great is that BJ never tried to be anything else but himself. It is the way God wanted him to be. So often, people try to be like another being, hoping they will fit in better to the norm of society. However, this is not what God wants. He gave each of us a special gift, placing it in our souls at the moment of conception. It is up to us to open this gift and share it with all. BJ did a beautiful job of sharing his gift. He brought smiles to many, using his spirit in the way God planned.

How to Learn From A Butterfly

I happened to catch a show on PBS tonight, on the monarch butterfly. What a magnificent creature! More magnificent was the journey taken, from Canada to Mexico, covering 2,000 miles each fall and spring. The concept of migration has always fascinated me. I had not thought of the tiny butterfly going on such a long expedition. Yet, tens of thousands take the trip each year. It isn't an easy excursion. There is the weather and there is the harm given by man. Little did I know that while resting on a leaf among the crops, the monarch would meet its fate as the crop plane flew by. Spewing a spray among the crops, this beautifully winged being does not have a chance.

The monarchs do not stop. All along the way there will be obstacles. Yet, they carry on. Humans following the journey are amazed how nothing stops them. There is even a monumental range of mountains in Mexico they must encounter before they can reach their resting place.

Nearly two months later, they reach their destination. They do not understand what it means for them to arrive at this village. The people residing there are quite poor. Just as the farmers depend on crops for their livelihood, the villagers depend on this majestic being for theirs. Unbeknown to them, fireworks, food and drink provide a welcoming celebration. From the tiny booths, there are tee shirts and tote bags for sale, with the monarch being the celebrity.

It is interesting to observe God's role in all of this. In his mysterious ways, He tells the butterflies it is time to migrate. He leads them through terrific hardships, yet they keep moving. They don't have the capacity to think, “Should I or shouldn't I?”. They just go for it.
Maybe we can take a lesson from them. We get worried, what we should do next. We need to leave it in God's hands, as the butterflies do. They survive, bringing in the next generation of brilliant monarchs, coming to life all along the way as they return to Canada. We could also survive, if only we would give God the chance.

Being human, we have the tendency to question our actions, deciding what would be best for us. But as the butterfly, we should turn to God, having His will take care of us. It would bring less stress, replaced with joy. Leaving it in God's hands may bring us unexpected
bliss. Next time, think of the mindless butterfly, bringing beauty and joy, just as God can. Pray to Him, helping you let go of your boundaries. Letting go and letting God take over isn't easy, but it may bring unexpected surprises, filled with comfort and delight. May God bless you as you learn to spread your wings!

JOURNEYS

During our lives, we go on many journeys.  Many will be delightful ones, but there will also be ones of sorrow, anger and misery. Each journey we take adds character to our inner spirit. Wisdom will be strengthened as experiences occur. Sometimes, we will be on a beaten path, not yet realizing we can't go that way.  Choices will be made, learning as we go if it was the right decision to make. It won't always be easy. But, God doesn't want us to quit taking the different roads in our lives.  That is why He sent His Spirit to live with us, to help us as venture out to the unknown, always filled with His love.