As I was reflecting on a beautiful weekend yesterday, my thoughts were filled with thankfulness. Andthen,…mediawasmobbedby a slap seen around the world. Meanwhile, a war still rages, families are struggling, and rage is not rare. I’ll keep first thingsfirst and position for peace. 💛
Through the eyes of a child
My Saturday began with a visitto our local Children’s Art Show (thank you Table Rock Art Guild). The children, and their parents, were walkingaroundwith such pride! I found the self-portraits particularly interesting and beautiful. You might notice the same things I did. They were authentic and true. Their eyes see everything. There’s nothing to hide in this http://www.world.com existence. But with it, they also “see” things that they might not otherwise. Kids…the perfect balance of faith and dreams.
Through the reflections of adults
The family table had its day. Thankfully, aunts, uncles, and us “young ones” (all cousins more than middle age now) gathered together. There are always missing chairs, but we manage to keep it crowded. Dad sat at the head of the table, a perfect place. We reflected on life, love, and loss. Hope and faith pulled up chairs. Laughter was a welcomed guest! Looking back…don’t linger, make it meaningful, and if you can, ruminate only on the radical recoveries!
One day my friends we won’t need faith and hope anymore. For if you believe, you’ll only be lavished in love.
Mom and Dad let us name them. Midnight and White Socks fit them like a glove! One pup was solid black and the other had white feet. The yard was fenced with plenty of romping room, but unfortunately, we (my sisters and I) did not take responsibility. I barely recall the specifics other than Dad made sure these two cute black pups went to a better place (I still wonder where those two ended up). As an adult I’ve had more than a several dogs (not as many as you, Martha, if you’re reading). Just like parenting in general I’ve learned great lessons! Did you know that today is National Puppy Day? There’s a day for EVERYTHING! Finn didn’t seem THAT excited when I gave her a special treat and exclaimed, “Happy National Puppy Day!”
Busily I’m making connections with schools and fellow writers. Personal calls, emails, and visits have been an encouragement to me! I have a love/hate relationship with social media. I’m not on FB and I feel like Instagram has been invaded by very long posts, loud videos, ads, and Reels (I thought those were for Tik Tok?). The hair-raising noise from the videos and ads actually jars me! Yep, I found the mute button when scrolling! There are many benefits of technology-BUT the time spent creating a post or reading sometimes hinders my purpose. I’m not obsessed with numbers, just the authentic connections made with others. My purpose here on WP is the same: to encourage others, practice my own writing skills, read others’ writings, AND create new friendships. It’s truly my favorite place to connect (my apologies for not being able to visit and comment regularly). This month has been filled with special moments in Club Jr. and CHANCES, visiting my home school, and stopping by the State Archery Tournament in Branson to visit a former school’s archery team coached by a dear friend who has led them to many victories (I loved coaching with her for a few years-it really gave the kids who didn’t feel confident in other sports the ability to feel successful). Today I succeeded at completing a Power Point for a presentation. Next week it will be my honor to present to area Pre-K and Primary parents at our local school for a “Lunch and Literacy” program. It’s like jumping back in the saddle and getting back on the bike, but in smaller chunks that aren’t as overwhelming. I’m prepared. Admittedly I am nervous and have many notes. I’m practicing each slide and all I can do is give it 100%! Prayers are appreciated!
Aren’t we all a work in progress? Purposefully, by following the correct plan from my last post, I’m listening. I’m taking the pressure off and enjoying peaceful pauses, even in all the preparations! I’m being present. To progress we need to believe we have a purpose. Please don’t think you have to accomplish something huge to be purposeful. You serve a purpose to your family and friends just by being you. You’re a big deal. Especially to our Creator.
“Finley, what’s your purpose?” She just cocks her little head side to side. Her eyes answer, “To love you and others!” What a perfect plan, Finn.
Students aiming for success!
Who doesn’t love a group hug?
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”-Romans 8:28
In the fall of 1992, I learned what it meant to have a back-up plan. It was called a “sub” plan. If my classroom couldn’t be covered due to illness or other reasons a substitute would be called. So much time was spent on this plan. Even more than my own daily lessons as I wanted the sub to have everything that was needed. You could say I was overprepared.
K.L. Hale
My friends and readers: Below are excerpts from a memoir/devotional that may take me a lifetime to complete. I’m putting pieces of these together to create this post, “Backup Plan”. As always, I thank you for your friendship and support.
Most Likely to Succeed
I was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” in my Senior class (don’t be impressed I have awesome friends and there were less than 40 in my class). It makes me giggle. They had faith in me! To be cliché I’ll ask the age-old question, what defines success? To some it’s a life filled with a spouse, child(ren), successful jobs, a two-car garage, maybe a pet, church membership, and a 3 bedroom-2 bath- ranch home. To others the house may need to be larger and display finer décor and perhaps, an expensive car to drive. It seemed my 20’s was predictably paved for me. You’ll need to do “more” Karla to be successful. The pressure took a toll. My psyche lied to me; therefore, I was in denial. Did I have a back-up plan?
Choices
We all make them. Some good, some bad. At a time of a great fall in my life (and literally off two wheels) technology was taking over. I remember worrying about keeping kids “safe” from the internet. I can still hear the AOL dialing in and wondering what secret would this sound hold? How would life be impacted? To keep on succeeding I ignored my bruised self. The backup plan was bumpy and unpredictable. But eventually it seemed smoothly paved. All the while my greatest success was still in two boys. The school was also filled with young minds and bodies seeking both guidance and independence interchangeably. It didn’t seem there needed to be another backup plan.
Technology and time
Technology advanced quicker than others’ judgements. Suddenly, life flipped like a flapjack. Lives were dangerously compared when everything went “on-line.” Students were learning more than I could. Being a techy, I kept up the best I could and succeeded in gaining traction. Time flew–especially motherhood as I knew it. Conformity makes you question every “could have been,” “should have been,” or “must be.”
The paved path seemed plagued with potholes. If you haven’t hit one, it’s a miracle. Health challenges hit and halted the hustle and even my hindsight. What’s my backup plan?
What seemed to define me was gone. Everything I thought about future success (kids and grandkids nearby, traveling, career advancing) was different than reality. My backup plan became a mobile home and an excitement about seeking out loved ones, love, and what seemed like success—the back-up plan?
Health and healing
Healing had to come. I could feel it. It’s NOT that I didn’t want to live. Just NOT in pain. Success and a back up plan would always include somebody else. How could I succeed at a back-up plan by myself?
A friend recently shared that you must put your own oxygen mask on before you can help others. I’ve heard this many times from flight attendants. My back-up plan became HIS PLAN. Through HIS plans I CREATED new possibilities, dreams, pothole repairs, and healing choices.
CHANGE…and more change
We all find comfort in routines–the knowing of what to expect. But change is going to happen. So how do you cling to the things you don’t want to change and still experience growth? What if your routine hurts the ones you love? Maybe you don’t seek growth and are just surviving. Perhaps the routine is the only thing you can control. NOT conforming to the world isn’t an excuse to remain in an unhealthy and hidden pattern. Is it? How do we stay set apart, but still impact others? What change will grow your faith? I love holding on to traditions and memories of the past. However, you can become swallowed in swirling thoughts and never move forward. Particularly if you’re someone like me and after all these years, struggle with the empty seats around a family table. But still, I MUST CHANGE. At times, you must separate yourself to seek comfort in your TODAY. Make a new memory! The Pandemic changed us. It changed me. If your rug feels ripped from under you or you are suddenly faced with something new, what’s your back-up plan? To say God has it all is comforting; but he does expect us to make efforts (and hopefully a lifetime of faith doesn’t disappear when things get the toughest). God isn’t going to change…but will you?
Oh, the power of children! Friends, it’sworth every minute to read this post shared by Beth. It’s amazing what these preciousstudents and teachers are doing to spreadpositivity! I called the number and chose option 2. Hearing theirlittlevoices, and their words of encouragement, is more than just a “Pep Talk”…it’ssoul-lifting! Have a beautiful thankful Thursday!
The kids at West Side Elementary in Healdsburg, Calif., handed out Peptoc hotline cards to help spread the word about the project — Amid a crush of …
