He’s Working for My Good July 31, 2009

I fret and fuss and get stressed out.  However, I know that he is working in all things for my good.  I have been called according to his purpose.  He foreknew me, he predestined me to become like his son.  He has justified me and will also glorify me.  (from Romans 8:28-30)

May I bring honor and glory to his name as I work for him.  “…nothing can separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.”  (Romans 8:39)

Why do I fret and fuss?  It makes no sense to be saved so completely and cared for so powerfully and yet, worry about tomorrow.  May God forgive my lack of faith.  I pray that he will strengthen me in his might.

What an awesome God we serve.

Trust Your Instincts March 25, 2009

In a university’s teacher prep class this week, the professor was talking about caring for your students and showing them that you love them. While no one would disagree that children need to be shown love, one student expressed the concern that some middle school male students that she has worked with in the past have made her feel uncomfortable with hugs they wanted from her.

I didn’t say anything because I was a visitor in class that day, but…tomorrow, I get to teach them some and I feel compelled to go back to her comment.

I want these college women to trust their instincts.  Women, young women, in particular, need the freedom to trust their own instincts without the burden of proof.

A woman doesn’t have to prove to anyone that a man IS creepy or coming on to her to be on her guard or put up some strong walls.

I want my daughter to know that she has my permission to NOT be nice when she gets weird vibes from a man.  And she doesn’t have to prove anthing to me.  I trust her instincts, too.

Trust your instincts and teach your daughters to trust theirs.

They may need your permission to NOT be nice.

The Fire Escape February 26, 2009

Meredith's Fire Escape

Almost 3 years ago, we moved out to the country. We bought a roomy, old farm house that was built in 1911. It has 3 bedrooms, 4 if you count the little alcove upstairs. I thought it would be perfect for my daughter. She could have her own space and at 10 years old, might like having a spot far from her 2 older brothers.

We built it up and convinced her it would be a special place for her to nestle. I even bought her a lovely metal fire escape that would stay outside her window, hanging on the ivy-covered pine tree should she ever need it. We had an answer for every wrench she threw.

Being the social gal that she is, she didn’t enjoy being sequestered from the rest of the family….especially at bedtime, in the dark, all night long. Her room was the only upstairs living quarters in the house. She began sleeping on the couch almost immediately.

We tried to talk her into sleeping in her room. No. She would have none of it. Fire. What if there was a fire? What would she do? The lovely fire escape didn’t do much for her security.

I let her practice. She (and her brother) climbed down from the window and up again. Several times a day. They got really good at it and fast.

Now?

“No. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

After about two years of fire escape practice and couch sleeping, her oldest brother finally grew tired of the rigmarole and traded rooms with her. He’s the one that likes a little privacy…not to mention a couch minus a little sister at night.

Locke, my middle son, says I scared her with the fire escape. Maybe so.

Free Safety Documents January 13, 2009

Are you concerned about lab safety?  There is a website that offers free documents to help you take steps towards making your lab a safer place for learning.  The Lab Safety Institute makes these documents available to teachers as a favor.  They do not endorse the validity or quality of any of the documents.  These are a starting place for safety in your lab.  Click here to view the documents.