18 (or 15 if you like reality) Days of Christmas

The days are flying by, aren't they?  The more the days progress, the more I have to do, the less time remains to do it.  I know for certain that come Monday, I will have a bunch of students who may or may not be eager to learn.  I know that I will be contending with seasonal distractions, the winter colds and the routines that are in direct conflict with student desires.  Yet, I've made plans to have a successful week.  It's funny, but I almost seem impervious to the realities of school in December as I make plans  I'm either setting myself up for failure and disappointment or I'm setting myself up for success this week.

This week, I want to inspire my students to consider one specific thing they can do to bless someone during the Christmas/holiday season.  This story here. was very heartwarming.  I love the idea that these students spent their time to help people who were not in a position to return the favor.  Isn't that really part of the Christmas story?  God sent His Son to help people unable to help themselves.  Peace on earth, goodwill toward men.  Time is a gift that can only be shared one time because it passes by so quickly.  When someone invests time in you, they are giving a gift of the greatest value.

I want my students to give their time to something that goes beyond a digital feel good video game or an hour watching humorous YouTube videos.  I want them to find someone who could use a friend and be that friend; to find someone that needs a hand and be that hand; to find someone in our school who could use encouragement and to be that encouragement.  Time marches by, but I want my students to march in time to share and to give and to love others.

As a matter of fact, I want to challenge myself to do the same.

Hope you will too.

First published December 11, 2017