Teachable Moments

Teachable moments - "an unplanned opportunity that arises where a teacher has an ideal chance to offer insight to his or her students. A teachable moment is not something that you can plan for; rather, it is a fleeting opportunity that must be sensed and seized by the teacher"

I took some girls to Oaxaca with me for a concert in a church there, but first we stopped for lunch at a crepe restaurant.  From abstract art to the history of the Statue of Liberty, from classical music to whether Catholics are Christian, it was a day unexpectedly full of teachable moments.

At one point we walked past some street art and the girls stopped to look more closely at it.  They were just blank canvases with words written on them, but I knew the girls were drawn to the bad words they saw written there.  I tried to keep them moving along, but as we walked away, I decided to make use of yet another teachable moment and discuss why those words were there.

I briefly explained to them who Donald Trump is and how he wants to build a wall between Mexico and the United States.  The words on the canvases were how people here feel about that idea.  We talked about how such a wall would affect the relationship between our two countries.  One of the girls brought up what it would do to free trade between Mexico and the U.S. and even asked about our electoral process.  A twelve year old!  Never underestimate a teachable moment.

I often feel powerless as I watch from afar what is happening in the United States right now.   But I am truly convinced there is power in prayer, and so I pray for the United States.  And as I pray, I am reminded that those of us who call ourselves Christians are instructed to love our enemies.  From what I've seen, many people consider Trump to be the enemy, and to be honest I'm not real fond of him either.

So I pray for Donald Trump.  And it is hard to do.  To be honest, at first I prayed against him.  But then I was reminded anew that as a follower of Christ, I have answered a call to love.  I realized that praying against someone is not especially loving.  So I tried again.

I prayed following my Lord's example of saying not my will, but Yours be done.  I found myself reminded that God alone knows the heart of man.  God alone knows what is best for the future of His Kingdom.  My trust is in Him alone.  And as I truly pray for Donald Trump, I feel a peace and hope released in my heart.

It continues to be a challenge, to pray for someone you don't want to pray for.  It is not something I look forward to doing.  But I believe that in doing it, I am responding to Jesus' teachings, and after doing it, I know that at the very least something has changed inside of me.

I read a very good article at Relevant Magazine that discuss this in greater depth.  You can find it by following this link: What It Actually Means to Love Your Enemies: Digging into Jesus' most unreasonable command 

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy.  But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?"  Matthew 5:43-48

Holy Week

This past week, I had the opportunity to share during devotions with the children (the youth were at a conference at the beach).  It was on my heart to share with them what Holy Week is about.  While they have been taught a lot about the Bible and God, I have found that, at times, the full message is lost - and I wanted to present Holy Week in a way that made sense and held meaning.

So I set about researching and reading the Bible, to be certain that what I shared was based on the Word and not my own understanding.  As I wrote down the story, as told by Matthew, I found the message of hope of salvation coming out.  It wasn't something I had planned, but it was clear.

I knew it was going to take a while, but I prayed I could retell the story in an engaging way, and that the Holy Spirit would work in the hearts of those who heard.  It seemed too important of an opportunity to pass up.  In case you have the time, I thought I'd share here what I shared that day:

What is Holy Week?  For the world it generally means vacation!  No school!  But as Christians it should mean so much more to us.  So I would like to remind us of what we remember during Holy Week.

 Before Holy Week, Jesus spent three years with his disciples.  He taught them wonderful things - how to love God and love one another.  He did many amazing miracles. Lots of people followed him, and he chose twelve of them to be his special disciples.

But then Jesus began doing something the disciples didn't understand.  He began to tell them that he had to die. Matthew 16:21.  How did the disciples feel when they heard this?  And that wasn't the only time Jesus talked about his death. Matthew 17:22-23 and Matthew 20:17-19.  I imagine the disciples are very sad and confused at this point.  I don't think they understood what Jesus meant.

Sunday: "Palm Sunday" They continued on to Jerusalem.  And Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, and the people treated him like a king!  Spreading their cloaks on the ground and cutting branches from the trees for the road.  It was happening just like the prophet said! Zecheriah 9:9  And the people shouted HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!  HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST HEAVEN!

How do you think the disciples felt now? Excited?  Maybe they were thinking that Jesus didn't have to die?  Maybe he'd take power away from Rome and become king of Israel like David?  But the disciples weren't the only ones watching Jesus.  Pharisees and Teachers of the Law were also watching what was happening, and they didn't like what they saw.

Monday: Jesus entered the temple and when he saw them using the house of God to make money, he overturned their tables and threw out the vendors (Matthew 21:12-13).  How do you think the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law felt when they saw this?

Tuesday/Wednesday: Jesus taught the people, and the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law questioned his authority as a teacher.  Jesus responded by asking them a question that made them look foolish (Matthew 21:23-27).  Jesus told parables that said that tax collectors and prostitutes would enter the kingdom of heaven before them (Matthew 21:28-32).  Jesus told another parable that said the kingdom of heaven would be taken away from them and they would be crushed to dust (Matthew 21:33-44).

How do you think the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law felt about this?  What do you think they wanted to do to Jesus? Matthew 21:45-46  They couldn't arrest Jesus because the crowds loved him.  So they tried to trick him with difficult questions.  They tried again and again and again, but it didn't work (Matthew 22:15-40).

Jesus said many other things that were hard for the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law to hear.  He called them liars and told the people about the bad things they were doing (Matthew 23).  So guess what the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law began to do... Matthew 26:3-5

Thursday: Jesus had a special meal with his disciples.  People call this the Last Supper.  The disciples still didn't understand that Jesus needed to die soon.  It made them very sad. (Matthew 26:17-30)

After their dinner, they went to a mountain and Jesus entered a garden to pray.  Jesus asked God to help him through the hard things that were coming.  Then an angry crowd came to the garden.  They had been sent by the high priests and elders.  They arrested Jesus.  There many disciples ran away because they were scared. (Matthew 26:36-56)

Friday: They interrogated and accused Jesus, but Jesus did not defend himself (Matthew 27:11-14).  He knew that for God to forgive our sins, someone had to suffer the consequence of sin - death.  And because he was God's son, he could die in our place.  Jesus decided to be punished for the bad things we have done - our sins - so that we can live in the presence of God and not be separated from his love.

Jesus was crucified between two other men - thieves.  When Jesus died, the earth shook (Matthew 27:32-54).  Can you imagine?  The perfect Son of God, Jesus, came to live on earth with us, and people killed him.  It doesn't surprise me that the earth shook.

But the story doesn't end there!  Do you remember what Jesus told his disciples? (The children remembered.)  And that's what happened.  His body was put in a tomb and the entrance was covered with a big rock (Matthew 27:57-61).

Saturday: The Pharisees said, you know what?  We remember what Jesus said about rising from the dead, and we don't want his disciples to steal his body.  We want Roman soldiers to stand guard.  So they did that (Matthew 27:62-66).  Be even the most powerful government couldn't stop God's powerful work.

Sunday: Resurrection Day.  Matthew 28:1-7.

Jesus is no longer hanging on a cross.  And Jesus is no longer buried in a tomb.  The Bible teaches us that he rose from the dead and appeared to many people.  Luke and John write about many things Jesus did before returning to be beside God.

A King - Jesus - died to take our place.  But he didn't only die, he rose from the dead, he was  victorious over death so that we could experience life free from being slaves to sin.  This is what the Bible teaches us.  This is Holy Week.

Jesus promised that those who believe that he is God's Son will have eternal life.  You can find this promise in John 3:14-18.

Congratulations if you made it through all that :).  The kids did very well.  I then extended the invitation for those who were believing that this was true for the first time to stay behind and talk with Niche (the administrator) and me.  A few stuck around because they had questions about that day, or wanted to give us a hug.

But I rejoice to be able to say that after everyone had filtered out, one of the older girls came back.   She is newer to the home and has had her struggles, but she felt the pull to come back and talk with us.  We spoke with her about what she understood and believed, Niche led her in a believer's prayer, and I continue to pray for her every day.

Lord, forgive us for the times You have made way for Your Truth and Hope and Promise to be shared, and we have not acted.  Thank you for the times your Holy Spirit has moved people to belief.  May these seeds fall on good ground and take deep root and grow.  To the glory of your kingdom.  Amen.

An Unexpected Journey

Sunset on the eve of my trip, glorious sunshine after the rain.  Three days ago I found out that my grandfather passed away.  Two days ago I found a ticket priced unbelievably low, allowing me to travel to be with family for the services this weekend.  With encouragement from my supervisor, and last minute planning/packing, I'm ready to fly to California tomorrow.

There is a chill in the early morning, but the rain has stopped.  I walk out with the other passengers to the tarmac and climb the stairs to the back of the plane.  One hour to Mexico City, five to San Fransisco.  I hope I make the connecting flight.

Made it.  Meet up with my mom in the airport, rent a car, grab some dinner before hitting the road.  I marvel at how I said goodbye to my mom less than three months ago, with no idea how long it would be until we saw each other again.  And here we are eating dinner together in San Fransisco.  We drive across a big bridge and I fall asleep until we arrive at my uncle's house where my dad awaits us.

Sunday comes and I'm not sure if I'm ready for the service - not that me being ready matters a whole lot.  I don't know why, but it surprises me to see my grandfather's memorial service on the Sunday line up of events for the church.  I guess it makes everything just a little more real.  California has seen years of drought, yet it has been raining for days and days.  The  hills around us that my grandpa loved to look out at have turned a vibrant green.

It is time.  I have greeted all of my family with warm hugs.  The circumstances are challenging, but hugs from family is one of the things in life that brings me great joy.  The United States Air Force Honor Guard has come to honor our grandfather's service during WWII.  I stand with my cousins and read Scripture.  Even the pastor tears up as my dad and uncle share about the amazing life my grandfather led.  It is a beautiful service.

One more day with family, and then back over the bridge.  Airport lunch with my parents, and then another goodbye as they head off to catch their flight.  I'm becoming weary of saying goodbye so often.  Check in for my flight.  Wait at the gate.  Five hours to Mexico City, one to Oaxaca.

Back to work the next day.  Hit the ground running.  I'm thankful for the rugged beauty of this place I get to call home.  I am thankful for the work God puts before me each day.  I am thankful for the family in Christ I have here that surrounded me with love and prayers, and encouragement to go to the U.S. to be with family during this time.

I am very grateful for the time I was able to be with family, despite the circumstances and brief as it was.  God is faithful and good.  Blessed be his name.

Sorrow

My Grandpa Rodriguez passed away last night.  I found out while I was spending time with a friend.  I didn't allow my mind to fully process it until they left.  Then the tears began to pour out as I slowly got ready for bed.  Tears and prayers.  I shut myself into my room to grieve privately.

This morning I cried again.  When I cleaned myself up for the day ahead, my eyes still burned.  This is a sad time and it hurts to be away from family.  However, I am surrounded by family in Christ here who support me and my family with prayers and words of encouragement.  Tears continue to come and I let them fall, trusting that they will bring healing.

I really liked what my cousin posted on Facebook, and so I share it here:

"Safe journeys Grandpa - you will be missed. I'll always be inspired by all you did for us..... Your family, your country. You were always thinking of others before yourself, right up to the end. I love you!"

Love you Grandpa.

  Your prayers for our family and my dad's family are greatly appreciated.

Love?

I've tried to step out of the school as much as possible, to give authority and freedom to the new principal.  However, one student in particular has been keeping us all on our knees praying for him.  He began to show a complete lack of interest in making any effort in own his life and we were at a loss of how to help.

After a few months of this, it seemed like it was time for me to step back in for a moment.  When I got to the school, I discovered that with the threat of losing his opportunity to play baseball, he had finished his classwork quickly and well that day.  I decided to honor his efforts to complete the work he needed to do, and let him go to baseball class.

However things still felt unresolved, so I made some calls to make sure I had permission to keep him after school and that someone would set aside lunch for him.  He came back from baseball class happy, I congratulated him on the home run he'd hit, and then reminded him that we still needed to resolve the issue of the homework he'd left undone.

His steps became less sure.  He followed me to the principal's office and sat in silence for a while, then he began to cry.  I let him know that someone was saving lunch for him, but that we would not be leaving until he finished his homework.  He refused to speak to me, and having anticipated this, I pulled out some work I needed to get done.

His crying turned into a tantrum, kicking himself, crumpling his papers, and sobbing that he wanted to leave.  I let him know that I understood he wanted to leave, and he could leave, once he finished his homework he'd left undone for days - and could he please stop moving the table, because it was making it hard for me to work (he did).

After a half an hour of this, followed by a well-timed nudge of help, he pulled it together and got to his homework.  First he wrote with big letters and in anger, but I continued to give him hints and help and soon we were plugging along, getting the work done.  As he worked on one page by himself, I texted the principal and let her know that he may need to take time to eat instead of coming back to school for detention (for a separate incident).

But he surprised us both.  He left me with his homework complete and a smile on his face at 2:20 and then returned to the school at 2:30, with a cheerful attitude, asking the principal what he needed to do in detention that day.  It's truly wonderful when it works out that way.

Our culture has such a warped definition of love.  We've let Hollywood and television and governments define it for us, as purely pleasure-seeking and uncontrollable.  But those of us under the grace of Christ must know how wide and deep and good the Father's love is for us, and that we are called to love as He loved.

We must "no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (Ephesians 4:14-16)

Whether it is loving a child by holding them accountable and helping them learn that actions have consequences, or loving an adult who is trying their best, but needs to be corrected with patience and gentleness, we must decide to love one another better.  Not following this world's example of self-indulgence, but Christ's example of living truth and utmost sacrifice.

And maybe we'll hit some home runs along the way.