Life GIvers

I had initially titled this post, Life Savers, but then I had a change of heart.  There are people in this world who add to life and those that subtract from it. Then there are those who neither add, nor subtract, they just...exist.  There really is no way to save life, is there?  We are given 529,600 minutes a year - if we don't die.  (Random documentation:  Osama Bin Laden was killed by US Navy Seals last night.  People rejoicing in the streets).  We can't save our 529,600 minutes; we have to spend them.  It is what we spend them on that determines the value of a life. 

Forgive me, as I process this as a write it... We can chose to spend our minutes stockpiling material wealth, but the wisest and richest man who every lived (King Solomon) said that it's all meaningless.  He would know, right?  We can spend those minutes "investing" in others and sharing the love of Christ with them.  But all that happens AFTER we lose our life in surrender to Christ.  In Matthew 16:25 Jesus states, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."  Kinda crazy, losing what we never had to begin with in order to find what we tried to save, but couldn't.  In light of today's experiences, it is starting to make sense to me.  Scary, no?

Jesus Himself said, "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal (Matthew 6:20)."  God is teaching me by humbling me.  He is making sure that my life is completely dependent on Him.  I do not want to disappoint Him, but I do.  Sadly, I do.  I feel like Paul felt when he wrote the words,  "¹⁸ I know there is nothing good in my sinful nature. I want to do what is good, but I can't. ¹⁹ I don't do the good things I want to do. I keep on doing the evil things I don't want to do. ²⁰ I do what I don't want to do. But I am not really the one who is doing it. It is sin living in me.(Romans 7: 18-20)."  Kind of sounds like something I'd say... a little rambling, kinda confusing, but if you hang in there with it, it starts to makes sense.

Today was a field trip day for the Champions.  Out of my 14 students, only 6 were permitted to attend the year end Behavior Award Trip to the movies.  We went to see Disney's newest "African Cats."  Incredible piece of cinematography and storytelling.  Several moments were blog-worthy, but one of the most insightful comments was made by a little girl whose father is in prison.  There are many children living in her home and DHS has been called on numerous occasions regarding the physical safety of the children.  At one point in the movie, a young lion was faced with ensuring her survival by staying with the pride, or putting herself in harm's way by staying by the side of her weak and dying mother.  The little girl beside me leaned in close and whispered, "I'd stay with my momma!" Really?  REALLY?  In spite of all she's been through, Momma still wins.

Another heart-breaker moment.  I was leaving school and noticed a little girl holding open the door to the outside, holding her eye and crying.  Another staff member spoke to her, then went through the door.  When I realized she was crying, I had to ask her about it.  I said, "What's the matter, Honey?"  No answer.  "Are you okay?"  Again, no answer.  "Are you hurt?"  I gently pulled her hand away from her eye and noticed a big, red mark on her forehead.  "What happened?"  "My momma hit me..."  "Where's your momma?"  "Over there."  When I looked toward the parking lot, I noticed a large woman with her back to me walking toward her van.  I decided to try to defuse the situation by speaking to her momma in a non-confrontational way.  I made an innocuous comment about the warm weather and headed to the safety of my car, still at a loss for the appropriate action to take.  I'm STILL at a loss... I will pray for this little girl.  If you're reading this, will you pray for her too?  I don't even know her name, but God does.

My "Life Givers" today were Jackie, Mom, Chelcie, LeeAnn, Windy, Desiree, Tee, Summer, and Kelley.  Tomorrow, I will look for moments to give life to those who cross my path!