Some people walk with us for a while on our path through life and leave a lasting impact upon us. Then the time comes and they leave us, but when they depart from us they leave us with wonderful memories and genuine love which transcends time. While our hearts may grieve and our in our daily walk we may miss their company, as children of God we know that we will meet again.
This picture of a walking path through a fog filled meadow reminds me of a man who had a powerful impact for good upon many of the people I know. He loved the beauty of the natural world, relished life with gusto and fine humor, and cared for those entrusted to him in so many various ways. Thank you, Dave, for the gifts of life you have shared with us and the memories in which you live on in us.
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Have you ever felt that you could see something better during the shadows of night than in the bright light of day? The bright heads of this feathering grass illuminated by a camera flash reveal a glory that is sometimes more beautiful in the moonlight than in the daylight. When we allow ourselves to see things in different lights, and different perspectives, we can often find ourselves stunned by what we see.
The morning sun breaks through the clouds to brighten the new day. I am anxious for warm weather to break through this cold. But when will it happen? The weather reports make it sound like it will still be a few days, maybe even weeks, before this cold weather breaks. I can wait. But I find my challenge is more than just being patient, it is allowing the moments of beauty and grace to break through my attitude of waiting - to engage with this moment, rather than to dream of the future.
This is a favorite spot of mine. I so enjoy the wonderful color and beauty that often fills this spot at the start of the day. But, as you can see, the dawn of this cloudy day was so blue as to make this appear to be a monochrome picture.
However, it is still beautiful. There is a stark and honest beauty here. Some days, my life is like that. There is limited color. There is limited excitement. But there is truth and beauty. Vibrant colors are not the only form of beauty. Sometimes beauty is revealed in the stark and simple lines of life. Challenge yourself to see the beauty in your life - in the times of vibrant color, AND in the times of monochrome revelation. On the shattered remains of a now collapsed, but once a sixty foot tall free-standing, ice sculpture rises another sculpture. The artist does not give up. He perseveres.
Each of us is confronted by challenges in life. When things crumble around you, what will you do? Will you give up, or will you persevere? What childlike fun it is to play with your shadow. Your shadow knows your every move. You think you know what it will do, yet the image it presents is often surprizing. Watching her interact with her shadow was nothing less than delightful. What joy. Oh, that our souls would be filled with the joy of shadow dancing.
There is great depth in this photo. The clouds above and snow beneath seem to pull one's vision into the distant setting sun. This brief moment is filled with great depth. But then the following moments fall into the dimness of dusk and the dark of night - and the perception of depth is lost.
There are times I feel I have a deep insight, but then soon I lose myself in the superficialities of life. Hopefully I learn to allow the memories of the moments of depth to provide inspiration throughout all of my moments. As the sun rises in the east, and the moon sets in the west, I head down the road to work. The view of sun and moon invite me. May I approach this day with eagerness? May I see the hand of the divine at work? May I enter the mystery of the day?
I am a teacher and I have something to say. It is about what I make. Most of us in the teaching profession work for institutions in which our compensation is public knowledge. There are few secrets about our salaries and benefits. There are times when politicians, citizens, community members, and acquaintances, try to criticize, manipulate, or diminish us by referring to what we make. Well, let me tell you what I make.
I make my students think for themselves. I make young people grow into their humanity. I make students claim responsibility for their own learning. I make individuals reflect on how the things they say and do impact others. I make my students become critical thinkers. I make these souls open windows in their minds. I make my young friends walk through doors of opportunity. I make them stretch to their potential. I make students take pride in who they are and what they do. If you ever are tempted to ask a teacher what they make? I hope they tell you that they do the most important job there is, and I hope they really do tell you what they make. What we make isn’t secret. We make a difference. Are you sometimes confused about what you should focus upon? What is the center of focus in this image? Is it the tree? Is it the sun? Is it the path? Is it the horizon?
Pick one! Allow that to be the center of your thoughts for a moment. Then perhaps you can do another. Might this be a metaphor for life? There is much to focus upon. There is much to confuse us. Pick one. |
AuthorJoel Kreger is a writer who grew up in Minnesota, spent many years of his life in Iowa and Wisconsin, and now lives in Minnesota. His life experience includes careers of serving 17 years as a Lutheran parish pastor, working 18 years as a public school teacher, and now writing as a novelist and blogger. Archives
April 2019
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