the grace card.

"I promise to pray for you, ask your forgiveness and grant you the same, and be your friends always."--the grace card

After seeing The Grace Card (twice, might I add), I have learned so much about loving others. In the movie, there is a particular part that tocuhes me. It is convicting more so than anything else I have ever heard. It's about loving others. Not others as in family, friends, people you know. Those people are easy to love. Those are the ones God has given to you. They love you. So, of course, you love them. But the hard part is loving your enemy. The person that hurt your feelings. Truly hurt you. You know the one who was closest to you and knew exactly what would hurt you the most, but still did just that to you. On purpose even. That's the person that you don't love. You can't love. You won't love. But you must love.

Give them "the grace card." Grace is unmerited pardon. Grace is undeservable forgiveness. That person, your co-worker, fellow classmate, ex boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse, family member, or "frenemy" is who you hate (even though you may not want to use that word) the most. Hate is the opposite of love. If you have not given this person grace, you do not love them. We must pray for them. And not pray for vengeance or justice. No, PRAY for them. Pray that God will have His will and way in their life. Pray for them to have a good day. Pray for them to be happy and be joyful. Pray for peace. Give them "the grace card."

And the hardest part is to forgive them and ask them to forgive you. But you didn't do anything wrong? Of course you did, you used your time and heart to hold a grudge against them. You hated them for mistreating you. You hoped karma would get the best of them. That's not what we are supposed to do. So, yes, ask them to forgive you. And when you forgive them, REALLY forgive them. That means forgive and forget. Whatever wrongdoing they have done, forgive it and forget it. That means let it go. Shake it off. That is forgiving to the fullest.

Be there friend ALWAYS. You don't want to be their friend. I understand. Neither do I. They hurt me. Really hurt me. And they hurt you. But God says to be a friend. "A friend loveth at all times." Not sometimes, or the good times, or the fun times. But ALL times. So be there friend. Be there for them when they are in their darkest hour. They need you. It may not seem like it. But you can help them. Be their shoulder to lean on. Comfort them. Be there true friend.

So who is your person? The one that said a hurtful word, used some sort of prejudice slur, the one who broke your heart, stole from you, lied to you. Give that person "The Grace Card."

i'm not just a teacher.

The early childhood teacher holds several roles.
The teacher must love all of her children and treat them as equal but
special individuals, thus she is a mother
The teacher must ask though provoking questions and encourage
exploration and investigation, thus she is a scientist.
The teacher must sing loud and proud, even if she can not carry a tune,
thus she is a musician.
The teacher must run, hop, jump, skip, and tumble with the children,
thus she is a gymnast.
The teacher must share accounts of far away lands and imaginary people,
thus she is a storyteller.
The teacher must bandage scraped knees and kiss "ouchies", thus she is a
nurse.
The teacher must give words of encouragement, louder and stronger than
anyone thought possible, thus she is a cheerleader.
The teacher must listen with open ears and an empathetic heart, thus she
is a friend.
The teacher does not entertain, dictate, police, referee, lecture,
demolish, or judge.
The teacher is a facilitator, enables, questioner, encourager,
organizer, nurturer, backer, advocator, and supporter.
The early childhood teacher holds several roles, each different in
action, but equal in importance.
To teach is to touch a life forever. And that is what the most
important role of the teacher is.

We were talking in class today about being teachers and all the roles we must fulfill. We are more than just teachers. We are every career made into one. I found this poem, and it reminded me of how special and important my future career is. I wanted to share it with my fellow future teachers to be an encouragment to them. Know that you are and will make a difference.

little miss.

Little Miss down on love .
Little Miss I give up.
Little Miss I'll get tough, don't you worry about me anymore.
Little Miss checkered dress.
Little Miss one big mess.
Little Miss I'll take less when I always give so much more.
Little Miss do your best.
Little Miss never rest.
Little Miss be my guest, I'll make more anytime that it runs out.
Little Miss you'll go far.
Little Miss hide your scars.
Little Miss who you are is so much more than you like to talk about.
Little Miss brand new start.
Little Miss do your part.
Little Miss big 'ole heart beats wide open and she's ready now for love.

I feel like this is the story of my life, but I haven't made it to the bottom of the Little Miss Lists. This is a song by sugarland and I love it so much. It seems to be written for that young girl who is a college student and has been hurt and is stressed. It is those (us) girls who must do our best and hide our scars. We feel like we have to always have a smile and always be happy. But that's not true. No, we can be Little Miss I'm so stressed. Or little miss I feel depressed. or little miss I don't want to get dressed, I want to lay in bed all day. However, we must remember there is a light at the end of that tunnel. We are doing this for a reason. We must give thanks in EVERYTHING. Don't give up yet. You have so far to go. Yet, you are so close to the end. This is now. This is the rest of your life.

Coming from Little Miss.