Standing at a Crossroads

   I have heard the phrase, "... standing at a crossroads..." several times throughout my life. During my younger years, I wasn't entirely sure what that meant or why it was so important. The one example that stands out the most from my teenage years  is Robert Frost's poem.....

   As Frost points out, we are often presented with two paths in life. At the crossroads we are faced with  choices - two possible versions of our future mapped out ahead of us. Even though there are choices laid before us that would produce different endings, there are no guarantees of the consequences of those choices. We stand staring in both directions, bewildered. Sometimes even dumbfounded.  But why? Shouldn't it be simple? After all, it's just a choice!

   Well, when I was younger my toughest choices of the day were what to eat for breakfast and what to watch on T.V. However, as I grow older, my choices become more substantial, valuable, and consequential.  This is mainly because my choices now greatly effect others.  Now when I stand at the crossroads, it is a critical junction in not only my life's journey but the life's journey of many others! But, shouldn't it still be simple?

   Sometimes these crossroads are easy to navigate because one choice is obviously the best. However, more times than not, the choices are equally enticing. Sometimes we find ourselves at an unexpected crossroads with more than one good opportunity from which to choose. If only we could see into the future - fast forward life, then rewind it again - the decision would be so much simpler then. But would it? And are these choices really equally beneficial for our life? If so, why do we continue to stand and stare at the paths instead of stepping out in FAITH??? Could it be that one of the choices takes us out of our comfort zone? But again, shouldn't it be simple? After all, it's just a choice!

   Throughout life, this is often where I have needed the most growth. Faith...blind faith...Obedience.....living with abandon! Trusting my life to the one that created me! The very one that breathed life into me! Why would I stand and stare at the two paths? When all I have to do is consult the author of my story! Apart from Him there is no good things! He is our creator. He knows what He made us to be. I stand on the promise that He formed me in my mother's womb(Psalms 139:13) and that we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10)

   I think God wants us to be willing to go out on a limb with Him. I think this excerpt from my current devotion says it best:

          ....If that is where I am leading you, it is the safest
         place to be....Your desire to live close to Me is at odds
         with your attempts to minimize risk. You are
         approaching a CROSSROADS in your journey. In order
        to follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your
        control and tendency to play it safe.......or Doubt
       Me...
       .....God can handle our doubts. He is big enough. But
       we have got to quit pretending FAITH is easy. We fight
       for FAITH and ask God to give it......


   When we continue to stand and stare we are saying to God, "I don't trust you." or "I am doubting you." Life will move on without us. Standing and staring, making no choice equals rejection. Rejection of the Father and his perfect plan for our life. IT IS SIMPLY A CHOICE.... and we have the freedom to choose. God loves us and does not take away our ability to choose for ourselves. I do believe he yearns for us to seek him in our choices.......Jesus himself declares, "I am the way...". Yes, It's simply a choice..... one that should be laid at the Father's feet for a higher perspective view....prayerfully considered while quieting our hearts and listening for that still small voice!

   So, aren't the choices we stand and stare at truly simple? They often become more confusing the longer we gaze upon them. When we immediately seek God and his wisdom, they ARE SIMPLE. We can trust our unknown future to a known God! Good endings come from prayerful beginnings! We just have to be willing to let go and receive what God has for us! Receive our lives instead of trying to Control them!!!
  
   Jeremiah 6:16 says, So now the Lord says, "Stand at the crossroad and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls...." I believe the words "ancient path" refer not to the actual road or old times/traditions but to the FAITH of those times - Faith of Abraham, of Isaac, of Sarah, of Jacob .... I think it's best put as Stanly David James said, " We should pursue in our lives the LIVING FAITH of the dead, not DEAD FAITH of the living!"

   So, in reality we should not stop and stare at the crossroads any longer than it takes us to put our FAITH in God and get in the passenger seat!! I believe the crossroads are times in our life when God wants us to say, ".....Lord, I'll go! Send me." (Isaiah 6:8)
  


  

Home Cooking

     Well it has been some time since my last entry. (..and since it's 3 a.m.  this one may not make any sense!) Rest assure though, I have been constantly ON MY TOES this summer! I'll probably break this up into several entries. I’ve written a few topics in my notebook.  Where to start?

How about…..Home Cooking

     Ok….Summer began with a beach trip to Ft. Morgan!!  So, I will admit, much of that week was spent ON MY BEHIND! However, MY TOES WERE IN THE SAND!!  We enjoyed getting away for a bit and enjoying God’s masterpieces in the waves, sunsets, and sunrises. We could not have asked for more beautiful weather and enjoyed visits from several awesome friends!!

     We made it clear before we left home that this was a beach trip. We would not be doing a lot of eating out or amusement parks and such. Our plan was to spend as much time on the beach as possible.  Well, being the nine and ten year old they are, my boys agreed…AT FIRST! About three days in we were saved by a visit from friends……but after that they kept me ON MY TOES! They talked about how they missed their yard and wanted to play ball in it. (The funny thing is that they would have been talking about how bored they were if they happened to actually be at home!) This got my wheels turning!

     I began to think about how no matter how extravagant the feast that is laid before us, there’s nothing like home cooking!!! I have been to many banquets and receptions….and a few fancy restaurants. However, when finished, it still can’t compare to home cooking! Good old southern home cooking. I think it’s largely due to the fact that home cooking is familiar,  often comes with making memories, and is served up by the one’s that know us, yet still love us the most! . Home cooking involves intimacy…the sharing of your life story with the ones you love! We find comfort in those familiar foods as we sit around the supper table with family and friends!  I also know how much better the meal is made when a long time absent member returns…..their return seems to spice it up a bit for those that never left!! As for the one coming home, it offers comfort, familiarity, and a piece of the past brought back to life….if only for the moment.  

     You know what is always at the base of home cooking…..a loving family member that is willing to selflessly labor for hours in the kitchen to provide the feast for their family and friends.  I can only imagine how these family members eagerly await the opportunity to fill the seats once more at their table…...for the FEEDING OF SOULS not just the filling of tummies!!

     Sometimes I think about how often I pull up to the soul feeding table……and how often I serve a dish on it! I think everyone has a turn at each, the server  and the consumer!  While consuming, I hope I will savor every bite and my soul will soak up all the good offered to me! When it’s my turn to serve I hope I’ve cooked a feast fit for kings……or should I say the kingdom?! We all get a turn …..belly up to those good tables, surrounded by wise and loving family and friends….so that when it’s your turn to serve the meal, it will be a well-balanced soul feeding feast!!!

A Servant's Heart!



  My oldest son was my sidekick at school today. He always keeps me ON MY TOES...usually with his many questions (I have no clue where he would have got that from!) Today however, I think he was on his toes!

  As we went throughout the day, I watched him complete many task. He went to another teacher's room to clean and put away books. He sat and read with my kids, always showing them such care and patience. He sat with my little first graders at lunch. My heart smiled as I watched him help one of my students put ketchup on their hotdog. He also ran many errands for me. He went to P.E. and kept an eye on one student that didn't feel well.

  He couldn't wait (all day long) to play BINGO with my students. He passed out a card and chips to each desk while they were at snack and eagerly awaited their return. He lead the game and was adamant about giving out prizes. He called out each word with great excitement and encouraged the students on every round!

  We also had one of my former first graders come home with us today. He is a special needs student and his mom asked about him staying with us while she took his sister to a school related event. He has visited us before and we always enjoy him! I watched as Mason was kind and patient with him. He played games with him and made sure he was comfortable at every turn.

  The students really enjoyed Mason today! And I enjoyed watching his servant's heart at work! Having a servant's heart is one of the most amazing gifts.....it is one of the most beautiful expressions of love I know! It's showing your love to another human being by simply being who God intended you to be!
  As I reflected on this tonight...I was filled with pride and hope.....hope that Mason will grow even more fond of serving others and always have a heart to help! Some of my best memories from childhood involve helping others! I loved going to the nursing home with my mom and helping as she did the little old women's hair. I had some of the best times just helping them with minor tasks and getting to know them. I pray that God continues to grow a servant's heart in Mason!
   I also thought about how our Heavenly Father's heart must smile and be filled with pride each time we spread his love through helping others! We are our brother's keeper....and we should pay it forward....we have been shown love and kindness and received the ultimate help from God when He gave such a crucial sacrifice for us and our salvation! After all, shouldn't it be easy for us to find and use our  servant's heart!

Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interest of others. ~Philippians 2:4

SIX YEARS LATER....ALREADY!!!

  As this week's events unfold, my thoughts turn to an entire group of kids that truly kept me ON MY TOES six years ago when I started my journey as an educator! I'm not entirely sure who learned more that year. They always had me ON MY TOES with their practical jokes, insights, humor, and even complaints. They were and still are a remarkable group!!!

  I had the honor of attending their Baccalaureate service Sunday night. I had to push back a few tears as I watched these now matured souls express their feelings and share their talents throughout the service. I really enjoyed the slide show of them growing up through the years. For a moment, I was transported back to that final day I taught them six years ago. We basically had a big talk/cry session that day. I still have a box full of nothing but mementos from that year. Precious memories stored safely away.....however, there is no need to pull them out in order to remember how blessed I was to have crossed paths with these special young people.

   I have always expected great things from this class...... When I taught this group in 6th grade, I always started the day with a quote/saying. They were required to write it in their notebook and a sentence or two that explained the meaning of the quote/saying. They were not always excited about this assignment but nearly always very insightful with their explanations. (I find it amusing now that most of their facebook statuses are nothing but quotes and sayings.) I wanted to provoke their thoughts on life and perhaps offer a little motivation/encouragement for life's journey ahead.

  There are many wonderful quotes that would apply to this occasion. One might be, " Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson. Another favorable quote would be, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."-Eleanor Roosevelt. Even Dr. Suess offers a little knowledge on the subject with, "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go."

  There are countless awesome quotes/sayings that would offer encouragement and direction for this new phase in life. If I had to share just one though, I would choose one that was shared with me by my dad when I graduated many years ago.

                                                  * GREAT SUCCESS is carefully planned, small failures just happen. Don't be discouraged, many small failures will be encountered along the road tO GREAT SUCCESS!

  I pray blessings for each graduate as they embark on their new adventures. I hope they are full of dreams and the will to work at accomplishing them. I hope they know they are loved and supported by many. Above all, I hope they realize no one is a failure until they stop trying....and as long as I'm around, they are welcome to keep me ON MY TOES.....I will be willing to help in any way I can in order for them to experience success. These are my first babies.....all grown up!



The Crayons Spoke to Me!!!

  My students kept me ON MY TOES today as I read the book, The Crayon Box That Talked,  to the class. Questions and comments exploded from all corners of the room the entire time I was reading!......"What was the day before today?"......"Saturday"...."no, Sunday"...."nah, it was Saturday"..."you're right Sunday"....."The red one is the meanest!"....."Yep, the red and the orange!"...."That's not nice!"...."She is doing a good job."....."That picture is pretty!"



  Kids don't miss a thing. As I finished reading the book, I reminded them of another book we had read, I Like Myself! We talked about why it is important to be true to who you are and how everyone is unique. Well, it never fails....and especially since I have twins in my class....they point out how twins are the same. I explained that they are similar, just as scarlet and red in the crayon box are similar but not exactly the same. We talked about the twins in our class. One has "sprinkles on her nose" and the other one doesn't. One laughs at everything while the other one has a more serious side. We also talked about how boring it would be if everyone looked and acted the same. The kids loved discussing this topic and these books.
  I attempted to pull them back in to the crayon book and asked how many people liked the picture the girl drew. Most of the class raised their hand. I asked if they thought the picture would have been as pretty drawn all in one color. They replied no.....and one sweet voice said, it takes all the colors to make a beautiful picture ...like the rainbow! I smiled and said, you are exactly right....just like it takes all of our colorful personalities to make this an outstanding class. We all offer something unquie! :)
  As I was thinking back on this tonight, I couldn't help but think to myself that I just really don't care for the dark colors like brown or black when I draw a picture. I like the bright cheery colors. However, I do like to outline with black. It's my guide...my commitment...my point of no return....my dark before the dawn.....and eventhough I'm not fond of those dark colors, they sure do make the bright colors shine and pop when in direct contrast to one another.
  Sometimes I think this is what happens in life. God allows us to have the darker outlines in order for us to appreciate the brighter content within the borders. I think the next time darkness creeps my way I'll break out my crayon box and begin to fill in the brighter content and exam the contrast ......all the while being sure to remain ON MY TOES!.....and wait to see the masterpiece unfold!

Who Knew?

  Who knew the phrase "keep me on my toes" would be the topic of much debate? As I tossed around various names for this new venture, I thought On My Toes would be a good one. (And no, not because I'm a great ballet dancer! ha!) I googled it, as I do most things. The return was unbelievable. There is no sure origin on the coining of this phrase but plenty of opinions as to where it got its start.
  One lady offers her guess would be boxing or perhaps from times when torture would be utilized (a sword beneath the chin) to keep one sharp and aware. Another man had a different take on the origin of this phrase. He said he always thought it was from the beginning of a foot race when you put your toes on the starting line and you are very alert and eager to go.Yet still, some (Word Detective and World Wide Words) think it is nautical, as a reference toa line drawn on a ship's deck or a parade ground which new recruits must "toe" as they assemble in eager formation and anticipation.
  Whatever the true source of the original coining of this phrase, there is NO doubt as to why and how it applies to my life! I wear many hats. With each one I put on, there are many people that keep me ON MY TOES! They all keep me going.... from family, co-workers, students to friends, pets, etc.!  
  However, the main inspiration for this  blog name would have to be credited to my two awesome boys. Mason and Brantson are so full of life and energy. They are nonstop and always entertaining. They definately keep me ON MY TOES!! They are always carrying on and testing my mothering skills (and many times, my nerves ). I never know what each new day will bring with them. Sometimes I may feel as if I am ready to race with toes on the starting line, defeated while standing with sword under chin, or  assembled in formation eagerly anticipating the next attack! :) Whatever the case may be, you can rest assure that at the end of the day I am left feeling extremely blessed! I wouldn't have it any other way....they are my conscious decision to have my heart walk around outside of my body for the rest of my life! ....and I know they will forever keep me ON MY TOES.....no matter how young or old ....I will forever be .....ON MY TOES!!