Monthly Archives: April 2020

Enough- by Karla

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I do not mean to dis the shoe industry, but I was driving to school a month or so ago when I heard a radio personality discussing the new kind of tennis shoes that tie themselves! Really? Yep, they are rechargeable by placing them on a special pad every ten or so days.

When I heard about the self-tying tennis shoes, I thought, “Who is their target audience?” I surmised the interested group might be parents of young kids, athletes, and older people who have a difficult time bending over.

 I truly do understand there are some who would benefit from this shoe, and I mean no disrespect to those individuals, but I thought about the general public and how we do not need those. Are they a need for most? Absolutely not, yet many will purchase. Why? I believe because Americans just can’t seem to understand “enough”.

Very and Really

 As a middle school teacher, I know I have had enough of several things. Why is it that when one person gets permission to go to the restroom, another ten need to go? Another example is the use of the word very. You know you’ve seen it. “I want to get a dog very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very much.” Occasionally, the kid will slot the word very for the word really:”I really, really, really, really, really want a dog.” I am thankful for elementary teachers who have helped kids learn the verys and reallys are a little too much. I guess somewhere along the way some elementary teachers had had enough! I now notice that as kids get older they move away from using very over and over to capitalizing an entire word. Like the example below:

Capitalizing

My poor little dog Lily. I BACKED OVER her one cool, fall morning. I was in a HURRY, and I do NOT think she heard my car crank. She was hurt BADLY, and I thought she was going to DIE! It was a LONG recovery, but for the most part, she is FINE. Because of the accident, she often has bathroom problems. YUCK! When I leave my house almost EVERY morning, I find a BIG SURPRISE on my front porch. UGH! It is kind of GROSS! I LOVE her, but I have certainly seen ENOUGH of DOG POOP on my porch to last me a LIFETIME!

Enough is Enough

Speaking of the word enough…If I had a nickel for every time Mom  said, “Okay, girls! Enough is enough,” I would be quite wealthy. Maybe even ENOUGH to buy some of those shoes! My interpretation of Mom’s familiar saying was “Karla, you had better find your stop button fast!” So, I did in those moments because Mom was serious about the line between playing around and when it was time to stop! Though the limits may be unclear at times, there is much importance in learning when to draw the line. Those words have helped me develop an internal stop.

By the way, the phrase, “I’m not feeling well ENOUGH to…” was a no go with my mom also. She would say, “Well, get up. Wash your face and brush your teeth. Then you’ll feel better. Even if you don’t feel good ENOUGH to do all you need to, you can feel good ENOUGH to do some things.”

More Than Enough

God knows I struggle with the enough button with certain foods. Yes, I am going here…Put some GOOD OLE, garden fresh vegetables and cornbread in front of me, and I can eat until I realize I have had MORE than enough. Perhaps, you know the feeling? It is not just vegetables. I sure LOVE cousin Marlene’s coconut pies, Aunt Anna’s chocolate delight, and my Nana’s—- oatmeal brownies, rice crispy treats, $300 cake, and Ophie pound cake! Sometimes, the ONLY enough button I have with these scrumptious treats is when I arrive late in getting to the dish and it is almost gone.

God’s Enough

I think God has some ENOUGHS also. I am sure He has had enough of our BAD CHOICES. But, He never says, I’ve had enough of YOU!

Because when it comes right down to it: 

GOD never tires of us bringing our PROBLEMS to Him in prayer.  

And WE can NEVER get ENOUGH of HIS WORD, HIS LOVE, and HIS FELLOWSHIP!

(Bold words are another way kids love to show emphasis in their writing.)

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Figurative Language: Hope You Are All Ears- by Donna

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“There is a guy stealing IPhones around town. At some point he’s going to face time.” (pun)

Did you laugh? I did. I absolutely love a play on “words”. In fact, I like the many things you can do with words. Now that may sound strange to you and maybe I stick out like a sore thumb (simile), but words can be fun and interesting.

“Is it crazy how saying sentences backwards…. ….creates backwards sentences saying how crazy it is.” 

Being a reading and writing teacher, I love teaching figurative language: metaphors, hyperboles, alliteration, personification and idioms. The origin of many idioms is fascinating. I have googled a kazillion times (hyperbole) where a phrase or idiom comes from. Take these for example:

I’m all ears!

Idiom Origins

Example: Johnny was a thief his whole life, but decided to turn over a new leaf. 

Turn over a new leaf: In the 16th century the pages of a book were called leaves. The saying refers to turning over to a blank page and starting over. This saying came about centuries ago.

Example: The doctor gave Carrie a clean bill of health.

A clean bill of health: In the 1800’s, a ship from another country could not dock until all the passengers on the ship were cleared from the possibility of carrying a disease. After the ship’s captain was handed the paper, a bill of health, stating that there was no sickness on the ship, he was given permission to dock.

Now you have to admit those were interesting, intriguing, and informative idioms (alliteration).  My computer even enjoyed the repetitive stroke of the letter I (personification). I am sorry if this overload of information makes me a walking textbook (metaphor). Snort, giggle, snort. (onomatopoeia) 

Karla and Donna

Read the paragraphs below about Karla and me. I know that sounds like an assignment, but after all I am a teacher.

Karla and I have never had an argument, but we don’t always see eye to eye. If we have different perspectives on something, we talk it out getting to the root of the matter. We never use each other as a scapegoat or put words in the other’s mouth. Usually, we start laughing and simply wash our hands of the matter and move on. 

We love life and like to eat, drink, and be merry. But, neither one of us has a sense of direction; we are like the blind leading the blind. Sometimes we are at our wits end by the time we make it to our destination. To those who know us, that is nothing new under the sun. Sometimes we even have to go the extra mile –honestly, it might be many extra miles. But what is a mere hour lost, it’s just a drop in the bucket of time.

From the Good Book

The bold phrases/words are ones we use often. Where were they derived from?  The BIBLE! Yep, awesome isn’t it. I hope you enjoyed your lesson for today!

Eye to eye: (Isaiah 52:8)

Root of the matter: (Job 19:28)

Scapegoat (Leviticus 16: 9-10)

Put words in one’s mouth (2 Samuel 14:3)

Wash our hands of the matter (Matthew 27:24)

The blind leading the blind (Matthew 15:13-14)

Wits end (Psalms 107:27)

Nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

Go the extra mile (Matthew 5:41)

A drop in the bucket (Isaiah 40:15)

For alliteration fun, view this video of Johnny Carson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgYbogp1Ha0

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Peace like a River -Karla

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My oldest, adult daughter and I were talking recently about how different our lives are now that we are quarantined. I must be overusing the word crazy to describe everything lately because Lindsey replied to a comment I made with the words, “Mom, I was expecting you to say, ‘Yes, that’s crazy!’”  

I am not sure why I use that word so often; perhaps it is because I stay at such a loss for an adequate word to describe life as we are currently living. This week in addition to the Coronavirus, the storms seemed to swirl over millions sweeping destruction along their paths.

A Different Easter

Easter seemed so different this year, yet it was the same. I was alone all day, yet I wasn’t. Though technology certainly does have its pitfalls, Sunday it served us well. Through Zoom on Sunday, our ladies’ class continued with our Bible study: Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose by Rebekah Lyons. Afterwards, I was able to worship in song online from my church’s prerecorded music. I viewed my pastor’s message from Emmaus Baptist Church, and then I observed the message from the church I attended as a child (First Baptist Church McCaysville / Copperhill).

Finally, my youngest daughter Rachel and I watched Passion City Church online together though we were about 80 miles apart. Later in the afternoon, I was in wonder while watching the production of “Jesus” by the Sight and Sound Theatre. Yes, this Easter was different, but maybe it was what God had in mind for me. A time to repeatedly take in His Good News.

Stormy Weather

As the storms began rolling in that evening, I realized the magnitude of the situation. Perhaps my concern was the storms were predicted to come and go continuously throughout the night. Maybe, my apprehension was caused by being alone. I would have no one to wake me if I was sleeping if the storm became too violent. Possibly, my worries were related to the uncertainty of our current situation with the Coronavirus. I will admit to changing some of my nightly routines a bit Sunday evening as preventive safety measures.

 Monday morning, I woke up having been protected by God and feeling very loved from friends and family who had checked on me during those 24 hours. I pray that those who have lost homes or other possessions can feel His hand on their lives and those who lost loved ones can feel His comfort.

Peace Like a River

A dear friend of mine texted another friend and me to check on us. The three of us exchanged “good here” messages, and then we text-chatted for a while. One of the friends lives on a farm that has a nice-sized creek. They have built a permanent picnic area complete with a playground and gazebo. Over the years, we have enjoyed the area along with their family. The creek is often so low that it does not rise over the rock wall built for a waterfall. However from the storms, it was pouring over producing an incredible sight. After viewing her short video and wrapping up our conversation, I immediately began singing “Peace like a River.”

Peace Like a River

The Bible study by Rebekah Lyons is teaching and reminding us that God is in control of all. In His love for us, He has created rhythms for us to rest and restore. I default back to my apparent overstated word, CRAZY: irrational, wild, bizarre, cracked, idiotic, and out of control. From my view, our world seems to take on these descriptors more than ever. Yet the pattern of the seasons continue, and the sun rises and sets. The sound of the flowing stream produces peace like a river and overwhelms my soul with His love and comfort that He — and only He —- is in control. No matter what craziness is going on around me, if I choose to pause with Him, peace like a river will reassure my mind and my soul.

Love, Joy and Peace

Without adequate rest to find peace within, I will lack the ability to show a God-sized love for others. As I rest in His peace, He will produce love like an ocean, which can flow from me into the hearts and minds of those in need. In the song, the third verse explodes with joy like a fountain. Joy is contagious! The fountain of joy can spew onto others as we share the true meaning of peace, love, and joy.

For as is stated in the book of Ecclesiastes, there is a time and season for everything. Perhaps, God, in his almighty and sovereign power, is demanding a time of rest for His children as we restore from reading His Word. Let us be refreshed and take His peace, love, and joy into the CRAZY and dying world.

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Covid: Life, Interrupted- by Donna

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With very little warning, life has been interrupted. Over the last few weeks, the usual is no more. What was my norm? My norm was teaching school all day, seeing my daddy every weekend,  going to church, having a daughter attend college, meeting Karla every Thursday at Cracker Barrel, having all needed essentials, and not being afraid to be in a crowd. 

Class Dismissed

I never imagined that when I told my second grade students goodbye March 11th, my year would be over. My heart is broken. Now, I am still working, but if you are not a teacher, you may not understand. I saw a comment on Facebook that questioned why teachers were sad saying it was no different than when they are out for summer. But it absolutely is different! When the last “real” day of school arrives, you can say “mission accomplished”. You have loved, taught, encouraged, protected, and have poured your heart, body, and soul into that group of children. But when school abruptly ended this year, my journey with these students did as well. My heart is not ready to “give them to the third-grade teacher.”  

No Entry

Since January, each weekend, I have driven to Blairsville, Georgia. My daddy is currently residing in a nursing home. I never dreamed that my March 7th would be my last chance to see him for a long time. What disturbs me most is he is suffering from Alzheimer’s. So, my heart breaks knowing that when I can return, he may not know who I am.

The Lord’s Supper

Church is also very different now. Rather than getting dressed, driving across town, and sitting in a pew, I am in a recliner with the computer and dog in my lap watching online. Palm Sunday I was watching my childhood pastor. It was communion Sunday, and the pastor, knowing we didn’t have unleavened bread lying around, suggested getting something else to use. So, I partook of the Lord’s supper with orange juice and a single corn pop out of the Kellogg’s cereal box!  Yes, it was different but the symbolism was the same. His blood and body sacrifice for my sins.

So Many Changes

My daughter and her dog have moved in temporarily with her two brothers and me, rather than stay alone at her place during the Corona virus quarantine. She is currently in her junior year as a theatre major. So, days are interesting. While I am on Google Classroom, she is moving furniture, taking pictures off the walls and removing plants to create a make-shift studio, complete with camera and light to film her acting classwork. When she is “Zooming” for her virtual classes, in order to keep the den quiet for her, I have banished myself to the bedroom to do my work while herding both of our dogs.

Karla and I have met for dinner every Thursday night at Cracker Barrel for over a year. I never envisioned a time when restaurants would only be serving drive thru or curbside. I long for my usual turnip greens and cornbread muffins. It’s been way too long. Karla and I make “Bertha and Geneva” videos when we meet. (It’s two Southern ladies on Facebook.) For fear of not being able to video as much, we broke quarantine, and met in the Kroger parking lot recently. We took several changes of clothes and filmed three just to stock up. 

Even the simple things in life have been interrupted. Toilet paper is hard to find. Many shelves sit empty in the stores, and tape marks the floor, so you stay six feet back. People are shopping wearing gloves and masks. Many have lost jobs and have no income. People are sick and some are not recovering. Life is different now.

This entire scenario is a reminder that life can change at any moment. Confusion, skepticism, and fear are lurking, but one thing remains constant, our God.

And if you think this Corona virus has created chaos, I hope you are prepared for the rapture!

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