I think that one aspect of decluttering involves decluttering your mind. As a teacher with nearly 40 years experience teaching every grade from preschool through high school in many different settings, my mind is a bit cluttered. The blessing of being able to teach for so long means that I've had many experiences I'd like to share. Just like the stuff in a cluttered house though, the thoughts are scattered and not always easy to express. I decided today to try to recall one of my most favorite experiences while teaching. That's actually hard to do because there are so many. Was it the day I walked with my sixth grade class to the park for the school's field day at the end of the year? Was it the bus ride with junior high (that's what we called middle school in those days) students to attend a talent festival? Was it when my Kindergarteners didn't want to leave school the last day of school because they wouldn't be able to return until the whole summer went by? Or was it the day I taught my three children about clouds as we drove to my son's doctor appointment in a town 25 miles away? These are just a few of my favorites. I hope to tell all of those and more in the coming days.
Today I want to start with a young lady who was in my sixth grade class when I taught in North Platte, NE. She came from a broken home. That wasn't news. Many of my students came from broken homes. I know the family didn't have a lot; that showed by the clothes she wore. She struggled academically, but always tried her best. She was always cheerful though, and got along great with everyone. This girl was my inspiration to look past your problems and keep trying. She also played softball. She was very good at softball which drew the attention of the news. One day the photographer at the local newspaper captured a picture of her throwing the ball. She was looking straight into the camera with a fierce look of determination on her face. I carried her picture with me for years. If I needed to be reminded to get over my own problems and remember the bigger picture, I would pull out her picture and remind myself of what she went through.
I hope, in decluttering my house I will come across her picture again. Even if I don't though, I have it in my mind. I pray that she is doing well today.
Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
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