As I listen to a little English Premier Soccer on my tv I am looking forward to heading down to Wilmore to participate in the current women's walk. As you know, I volunteer in a program called 4KIDS. I help mentor 4th, 5th and 6th graders at Northern Elementary and Southern Middle School. The lesson for the 6th graders this week included how to deal with atrocious attitudes, bad beliefs and crazy concerns. I shared with my students that my atrocious attitude was sometimes caused by watching the news. I like to be informed but there doesn't seem to be much information, that is useful, being shared these days. I made a joke to the classroom leader that my life should include LESS news, MORE golf. He commented that would be a great bumper sticker. I concur.
The agape room for The agape room for walk #151 needed a little help on Friday morning so I offered my services, and I brought a friend (thanks Rod). I can stuff an envelope with the best of them. At times, maybe offer a creative idea. I am not keen on lugging boxes but I wanted to help out. Reinforcements arrived and since the weather was nice an afternoon tee time was still an option. LESS news, MORE golf !!!!! The other option was more appealing: MORE EMMAUS. I spent the day in the agape room watching the leaders create order out of the chaos the agape room appears to be. Taking requests from the ALDs, the clergy, the LD, the prayer room and even from me (throw me a Reese cup may have been an ongoing request). All the requests were met with a smile and each one was met even if it meant driving to the store to buy an item. It was a blessing to spend the day in the agape room in fellowship with the team. A carefree Friday spending time with amazing people who have a heart for serving and a love for Emmaus. Thank you agape team/room.
Now my 4th and 5th graders pose new and not so new issues. I mentor a 4th grader who only speaks Spanish. However, I am blessed to also have at that table a 4th grader who is my link to communicate with the non English speaking student. She is my translator, and I just watch in awe as she communicates in English with me and then in Spanish to the student. She is so amazing, and I do let her know that each week I am there.
In the 5th grade class I mentor a group of all boys. One in particular has caused me some angst. He just chooses to not do what I ask him to do. I do believe that God has put this student in front of me for a purpose. One of these purposes is to teach ME. I “complain” to my reunion group guys about this kid and to my golf buddy. My complaint is this: “It drives me crazy when he can't follow a simple instruction. He just blatantly defies me."
Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Am I a hypocrite? Do I follow God's simple instructions? Do I blatantly defy Him? YES/NOT ALWAYS/AT TIMES. And I thought I was in the classrooms to teach the students.
Then it's time to shower and make the journey to Emmaus for Emmaus Saturday - Agape land, the agape room, the prayer room, the Asbury campus and candlelight. No news, no golf, just Emmaus and experiencing God's grace. I am thankful that He loves this hypocrite. 2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
De Colores / Fly with Christ - WallyDe Colores / Fly with Christ
Rejoice, Rejoice, and again I say Rejoice!