My Girl Got A Job!

This roller coast called "Life" can really s-u-c-k (I hate that word) sometimes. The prospects for teaching positions in our area of Indiana have been few to none this summer. That does not bode well for all those graduates excited to put their long-sought skills to practice. Needless to say, it's been a disappointing summer for Jordan. Interviews for two positions did not bear fruit for Jordan. So, her plan was to be a substitute and keep her serving job for the year. Last week, she sent out about 31 resumes---to all schools in the South Bend school corporation. Come Friday, she gets invited to interview for a paraprofessional position (fancy name for teacher's aide). Not what she was hoping for, but a foot in the door of education nonetheless. So she psyched herself up for the challenge and waited for the interview on Monday afternoon. Just after she jumps out of the shower, she gets a call from the principal she was to meet with. It seems that "the PERFECT candidate" walked in the door that morning and was hired on the spot. Enter the word "That sucks". A roller coast of emotions ensued. Being in the middle of 400 sixth graders in the cafeteria did not allow me to be a very compassionate and present ear. My stomach and heart hurt for my girl.

Two hours later, I get this text---"I got a job!" I am so confused, so I call. It seems the teacher she student taught with talked to a principal in South Bend who had a part-time position open. He calls her yesterday and she goes right in to see what he has to say and is offered the job on the spot. It's only a 40% position, but It. Is. A. Teaching. Job. Halleluia, praise Jesus, Glory be to God!! Yippee-ai-cai-yay!!! She gets a real contract, gets on the ladder for seniority and will be one of the first in line next year for any positions that come open.

So when does she start? Last night! She attended the open house and met the kiddoes She is job-sharing with another teacher and will teach math and Social Studies to ENL 2nd graders. Today was her first day. She's thrilled.

So am I. She's worked hard to get to this point.

Shame, shame, shame, shame, shame, shame, shame, shame, shame, shame, shame, shame, shame!

Get the message? No? I'll explain.

I've been privy to several conversations lately that make me want to wag my finger at Christians. First of all, there seems to be a lot of finger waggin' and downright condemnation by so-called Christians who are leaving nasty, accusatory comments on different blogs that I read. They want to give failing report cards to people they don't know. They want to tell them how wrong a Christian the bloggers are and how, if they lived their lives the "right" way (according to themselves) they'd be better off. How would you like to get this in your comment box:

Havent you never heard the saying let go and let God? Well you need to do that. I bet if someone were to go and pick through your past wed find all sorts of things that werent very positive and I bet its because you insist on controlling your own life and not letting God control it. You have huge satanic influences in your life and thats why you make yourself sick. its Gods way of trying to get the evil out of you. Almost every person who has an eating disorder has some sort of issue and needs to let go and let God. You should probably get down on your knees and thank God for the blessings you do have and give your life back over to him. Atone for your sins and ask Jesus back into your heart. I bet things will be right as rain in no time.

This was in the "In" box of one of my favorite bloggers. What do you think of this? Does that make you want to jump on the Christian bandwagon? What do you mean it makes you want to run in the other direction? Does this make you feel like Jesus could be your Homeboy? Do you feel the love? Nah, me neither.

You have huge satanic influences in your life and thats why you make yourself sick.

Now, isn't that the kind of thing that makes you want to change your life? Isn't that just the greatest thing to have someone say to you? Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside (insert eye roll here). Does it make you want to say, "Hey, thanks. That was just what I needed?"

its Gods way of trying to get the evil out of you.

Oh. My. God.

Yup, that's the way to bring people to Jesus.

Somebody please tell me what kind of stupid this is. Please.

I just don't get it. Did they miss the part in the Good Book about the Great Commandment? You know, the one about loving God with all your heart and all your mind and all your strength and loving your neighbor as yourself? Just sayin'. This comment doesn't speak love. It speaks condemnation. And what good will that do? No good. Do they think this is helping the cause? IT DOES THE OPPOSITE. Shame, shame, shame on them.

The other thing that has cropped up around me lately is the comment about Christian churches being unfriendly places. Several people have mentioned around me lately that when they have visited certain Christian churches for the first time, they have not felt welcomed. Yikes, this drives me crazy! How hard is it to extend a hand in greeting? Don't give me the excuse that you are shy. A visitor has much more to lose and may feel much more trepidation. Hosting people at church is just like hosting people at your home. When you have new visitors, do you wait for them to introduce themselves to you? Do you wait for them to come to you? Do you expect them to make you feel good and comfortable in your own home. NO, you don't! A good host welcomes his or her guests. A good host makes them feel comfortable. A good host goes out of his or her way to ease the discomfort or fear of a guest.

Excuse me, I just feel like growling.

Snap out of it, friends! Help the cause! Be kind, be loving, be welcoming, be patient, instill hope, spread joy, share goodness, be faithful, exude patience, exhibit self-control, demonstrate gentleness. Those are the fruits of the spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 (New International Version)