a happier me

I recently read an article about being happier everyday.  There were 5 steps:

1.  Make a list of good things in your life.
2.  Journal for 5 minutes about one positive thing everyday.
3.  Pray
4.  Random Acts of Kindness
5.  Talk to someone you love.

Five simple, short, to the point steps...and you're on the road to a happier life.  Easier said than done my friend, easier said than done.  Today, I'm going to do them because today I want to be happier.

#1) Jesus, smiling kiddos, sunshine, Utah, Prince of Peace, my job, my family, my guy, and coffee

#2) Start - 11:43
Today I was able to play "scoop ball" with one of my students at recess.  This young man is specifically challenged in this sport.  Do you know what scoop ball is?  Each player has a large plastic "net" in which you scoop up a plastic ball.  The "net" makes throwing and catching the ball much easier.  This particular student had a hard time with the game in the first few weeks of school.  Here in the 24th week, I saw so much improvement!  He was throwing AND catching the ball very well.  He even congratulated me on my "skills."  I found myself smiling more and more through out the playtime...and so was he. :) 
Stop - 11:48

#3) Tonight I'm going to pray for three things:  forgiveness, patience, and perseverance.

#4) Today I picked up after 20 children for 7 hours...does that count?

#5) Today I talked to my friend, Katherine, about my wedding...sometimes it makes me feel good knowing someone else is interested in my life.  Today Katherine was that for me.  Thanks Katherine!

Well, that wasn't so hard.  Maybe this won't be such a battle after all.

Good night, Void.

all he asks is, "call me up"

Every Friday morning is Memory Treasure recitation in my classroom.  Essentially it works like this:  I call the grade.  The children in that grade line up at my desk and one-by-one recite the Bible passage they were assigned for that week.  I especially enjoy this time of the day, because it give me just a few seconds of one-on-one with each child studying and learning God's Word together.  In addition, I usually come out of it with something to ponder, or at the least, smile about.  Yesterday I did both.

Yesterday's passage for my first graders was the first part of Psalm 50:15, "Call upon me in the day of trouble."  Eight words with tremendous weight and comfort.  As I sped through listening to each six-year-old voice I was quickly halted at the very last reciter.  Timid and shy, this little boy was pretty unsure, but after two deep breaths, a swallow, and an eyebrow crunch, he murmured, "Psalm 50:15, Call me up in the day of trouble." 

Now, normally, I'm one to correct a mix-up of wording.  Normally, I stop the child, say, "Try once more, think."  Not this time.  I smiled.  I said, "Very nicely done!"  I gave him his sticker and sent him on his way.

What the child had recited had not changed the meaning of the comforting words our Lord breathed.  I found myself thinking later that day, and still now, how easy it is for us to forget that God is just a "phone call" away.  There is never a time, a place, or situation we cannot close our eyes and talk to God.  You can "call him up" anytime day or night and he will answer.  The call will not go to voice mail.  You do not have to leave a message.  He always returns text messages and he never fails to pick up the phone.

Our God is faithful.  Our God is strong.  Our God is trustworthy.  And because of all those things, I'll never think of Psalm 50:15 in any other way than the way this wise first grader interpreted it.  I'll "call him up" in any kind of trouble - because he answers me.