Random Thoughts

I haven't blogged in a few weeks. God asked me to write weekly. But I keep using the excuse that He's not giving me anything to write so I just skip it. How dare I? Shame on me for thinking I had nothing to write. God never told me it had to be profound. He told me to write. I have thoughts in my head daily. Today, I decided to share something I've been pondering.

I've noticed something about people. Some people do everything in their power to be noticed. Others do everything to stay hidden. Still others stay in the middle. They just want to do what they need to do and move on. I tend to be more in the middle but lean toward the anonymity side. Flamboyant people annoy me. But they also make me feel inferior. Sometimes I wish I were more outgoing. But I'm the way God made me and I can't change that. Flamboyant people are the way God made them and they can't change it either.

So, how can we find some sort of middle ground? I wish I had a magic answer. It would make life easier. What I do know is that, whether you're flamboyant and outgoing or quiet and prefer to stay unnoticed, show respect for the "other side." Quite often, outgoing people come across as thinking they have all the answers and know everything. In reality, God is the only one that has all the answers.

Outgoing people, be sure you're letting the quiet ones know you value and appreciate them. Quiet ones, remember what Eleanor Roosevelt said: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

Be kind to everyone. You don't have to be friends with everyone in your life. But you do need to show respect and kindness. I don't believe God will ask us why we weren't friends with everyone. But He will ask why we weren't kind. You don't have to let your life be an open book and no one should expect you to be. But be kind. Show respect. Give a smile.

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Ok, sorry if that seemed disjointed. In my defense, I told you it was random thoughts. Now, go be nice!

Well Done

I've heard people say they long to hear Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" when their time on earth comes. When I think of some people, I can't imagine their warm welcome. Not that I'm being judgmental. I'm just realizing that it's easier to imagine the welcome that awaits in heaven that some will receive. This afternoon, one such person entered into heaven's gates. I have no doubt in my mind that Jesus met him there with a resounding, "WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT! ENTER YOUR REST."

In fact, I'm picturing lots of things about this particular Home-going. Jim Bennett was a dear friend and classmate of my father's. They attended Bethel College together. He later became the President of Bethel. After retiring from Bethel, he was our pastor at Bethany Missionary Church. I have so many memories of "Papa Jim" as my kids grew up calling him.

I remember he and his wife hosting "afterglow" around the campfire after evening services at Prairie Camp. I remember seeing his smiling face as he walked around the campgrounds when I was a teenage camper. I remember seeing him at Bethel sporting events. He watched my brother play Bethel baseball...A LOT! I'd see him at basketball games when I was working as the shot clock operator when I was in high school.

As an adult, I remember hearing many sermons that spoke to my heart. I remember his sermons about the end times. I will always remember him saying that when it comes to the Tribulation, we should "Pray for pre but prepare for post." I remember him saying, "I know I'm stepping on some toes today and I'm glad!" I remember in December 1990 when my parents and I were in a serious car accident. My dad was air-lifted from Indiana to Michigan because that was the best trauma center at the time. Jim was our pastor then. He drove more than an hour EVERY DAY to visit my dad, his college classmate, in the hospital. When my dad improved enough he could be transferred to our local hospital, Jim was there EVERY DAY! When my dad was sent home from the hospital but had to go to South Bend for therapy several times a week, it was Jim who drove him to his appointments, waited during therapy, then drove him back home, helped him get settled in and then assure Dad he would "be back tomorrow whether you like it or not."

I remember when my daughter was born. It was a Sunday. Our church was having a potluck dinner that day. My parents were at that potluck. It was before cell phones were around (they were bag phones that stayed in the car). I called the church to tell my parents. When the person answering the phone called out for my parents, I heard Jim yell across the fellowship hall, "They can talk to her after I do! I get to find out first!" He was indeed the first one to hear about our new little one. He dedicated her a few weeks later. I remember his holding her in his arms and praying over her.

Before the accident, my dad sang. He had the voice of an angel. Beautiful, resonant, perfect tenor voice. He sang in church often. When he was in college, he sang in the choir and on multiple Gospel teams that traveled all over. After every time my Dad sang in church, Jim would get up there and say, "Al, I still hope that when I die and go to heaven, Jesus lets me sing just like you." Guess what, Papa Jim...that time is now. Sing away, my friend! Sing away.

It was very hard news to share with my father. This was a man he dearly loved. They've known each other since they were teenagers. My heart is sad for my Dad at losing a friend. But my heart breaks for his 4 kids (2 he raised and 2 that were blessed to marry in to the family), grandkids and wife. They are a very special family. But I rejoice in knowing that he heard those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Simple Memories

Today a student walked in wearing what appeared to be striped jeans and a hoodie. He pulled up the hoodie and proudly said, "Look, Mrs. Wohlford! I'm wearing overalls today!" Yes, they were striped Key overalls! I remember a pair of those hanging on the hook on the back of my grandparents' bathroom door. I remember my grandpa proudly wearing them...A LOT!  Key overalls have always made me smile. They've always served as a reminder of my grandpa. To that student I say, "Thank you!" Yes, I told him how happy it made my heart to see him wearing them. I needed that that!

When It's Too Late

14 years ago on September 11, 2001, 2,731 innocent people went to work or about their day in the bustling city. 246 innocent people boarded airplanes to go back to families or to their jobs. 2,977 innocent people didn't know that it would be the last day they would walk this earth.

I'm sure you remember where you were that day when you first heard the news. I was getting ready for work. I had just started working at Elm Road Elementary School the week before that. We were watching the Today Show as we prepared for our work day. The news came on about this horrific plane crash at the World Trade Center in New York City. Thousands of miles away, I crumbled to my knees with this devastating news. America was facing something unimaginable. No, not facing. It had hit us square between the eyes. I remember going through that work day just feeling like we were all going through the motions. We murmured to one another in the hallways, "Have you heard any more news?" At lunch, we silently sat in the lounge just watching the news as it flashed on the screen. The two Towers had collapsed. An empty field in Pennsylvania had been obliterated. The Pentagon had been hit. 19 cowards (don't tell me this wasn't an act of cowardice just as much as it was an act of terrorism) saw nothing wrong with taking the lives of 2,977 innocent people.

Tonight, as I sit here thinking about the anniversary tomorrow, it strikes me that we are never guaranteed one more breath. We never know when we may go to work, to the grocery store, to the park, etc and never come back. We never know when God is going to call us home. While I always hope I have many more years, we have no promises. I've known people close to 100 years old who have come to the end of their life. I've known people who have lost tiny babies. I've known people who have watched their teenagers draw their last breath. I've known people whose lives have come to an end at many ages in between. I will tell you that the ones who knew their days were fleeting due to illness lived their lives with a lot more zest than the ones who didn't.

So I encourage you to live each day as if it may be your last. While I hope God will allow us many more days, weeks, months and years, we can never be too sure. So, tell your family members you love them. Give your kids one more squeeze in the morning. Smile at the person next to you in the waiting room. Wish your cashier a good day. The next moment just might be too late.

Stones

To my Grandfather, stones were things that had to be removed from his farm fields. They were his nemesis. He painstakingly removed each one he found.

To my grandson, rocks symbolize his favorite Sesame Street episode. He's watched it enough times that he can shout "Rocco" with the best of them.

To many people (the Wohlford family included), rocks and stones may mean ground cover in an area where grass won't grow or even what their driveway is lined with.

In the Bible, stones were used to punish and kill people, to build altars, and Jesus even told Peter that "on this rock" [Peter] He would build His Kingdom.

Stones (and rocks) have different meanings to different people. This past week, stones became an important symbol to me. Former pro football player Frank Gifford passed away recently. That in itself had no impact whatsoever on my life. However, the tribute his wife, Kathie Lee Gifford, made on national television sure did. She openly shared about their belief in Christ. She told how Frank accepted Jesus as a boy.

Then she talked about stones. She talked about David and how he chose 5 stones to use in his battle with Goliath. But then she pointed out that it only took one stone because David threw it right where God wanted him to.

She went on to issue a challenge to each viewer. She asked where God would have us throw our stone. It got me to thinking. I've been pondering this question for more than a week not. I even have a stone on my desk at home, my desk at work and on the dashboard of my car as reminders.

God has given each of us a stone. He wants that stone thrown somewhere particular. If we throw our stone in the right place, we'll have the outcome God intended.

So, I ask you, as Kathie Lee asked millions of viewers last week:

Where does God want you to throw your stone??

It's In the Bag

For some reason, this morning started out rough. I woke up fine. But then I seemed to drop everything I picked up, the fish tank needed filled, I was running late. I made it to work with a few minutes to spare. Along the way, I prayed that God would erase the frustrations of the morning and make it a good day despite the rough beginning. I started my work day just like any other day. I checked my email, poured a cup of coffee and went to do my breakfast duty. When I came back to my room, there it was in the middle of my desk - a bright orange gift bag with polka dot tissue paper sticking out of the top. I couldn't fathom what might be in that bag or where it came from. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm here to tell you that this gift bag was God's way of turning this day around! You see, last Sunday I "visited" our old church. With my family all working, I went to my comfort zone to see "old" friends. There's a family that now goes there. They have two girls who go to my school. I saw them there. They were surprised to see me. At school during the week, the older girl asked me how I liked it. I explained to her that I had gone to that church for a long time. My husband and I had our wedding reception there, our daughter was dedicated there, I was baptized there. I told her it was great to be back and see everyone. 

On Friday, she asked me if I had gotten a visitor bag. They give little bags of "goodies" to people when they visit. Kind of a way to let people know they care. I've never been given a visitor bag at a church before. I know there are other churches that do it. Even when I've visited, I've never been given one. I explained to her that I hadn't picked one up because I didn't really feel like I was a visitor. 

Yesterday when she was at church, she picked up a visitor bag and brought it to me at school today. This bright orange bag contained a candle, bookmark, hand cream, bag of microwave popcorn and a nice letter from the church. But it contained more than that...something invisible to the naked eye. It contained love. This sweet 5th grader cared more than many adults do. Or at least she knew how to show she cared. I got lots of hugs from many friends last Sunday. But this little gift bag may have been the best result from "visiting" that day. 

Thanks for thinking of me and showing me you care, Katelyn! I needed this today! And God, thanks for using Katelyn to turn my day around!

Simple Things Can Be Big Things

My phone has been reminding me I'm supposed to blog today since it's Thursday. After several reminders, I told my phone (yes, I know it can't hear me!) that I can't blog unless God gives me something to blog about. Then I brushed my hand against what God wanted me to blog about.

Today, I was in the cafeteria during breakfast time. One of the fifth grade girls came up to me and said, "Mrs. Wohlford, do you have pierced ears?" I told her I did and she proceeded to present me with a pair of earrings she made for me. She said she was hoping that would be my answer since she had picked this color for me. (I have no idea what made her choose this particular color). 

Then, I looked down at the shirt I pulled out of the closet last night to wear to school today. I couldn't believe my eyes! These earrings were a perfect match to the pinstripes in my shirt! Did she know that those earrings would match anything I had to wear? Of course not! Did I know that she was going to give me earrings in that precise color? Not a chance! But God knew! He prompted me to choose that shirt so that I could take a step that would make this child's day. 

I thanked her profusely for the earrings, gave her a big hug, told her how beautiful they were...and proudly put them in my ears to wear for the day. I couldn't have asked for a better start to the school year!