Salt Of The Earth

I made it through April Fool's Day! Do you know what I've learned from my students hailing from China, Korea, and Vietnam? They celebrate it in Asia as well, assuming 'celebrate' is a correct word to use in this context. The following is from April 2, 2006.
Yesterday was April Fool's Day. It's always a blessing when it falls on the weekend. School and April Fool's Day are unhealthy partners. I'm not much of a practical joker. The worst in that department is John McNeal whom I coached with for a number of years at Friendship Christian School. He would sneak back into the gym late at night, when the lights were turned off, as I was washing baseball or football uniforms. John would hide under a stairwell or inside an alcove and wait for me to pass. He spread himself around. Once he hid in a closet to scare his wife, Roseanne. When she fainted, John thought she had suffered a heart attack so she received lifetime prank immunity!

Like I said, I'm not into the April Fool's sort of thing. I remember only once indulging in the holiday and it cost me. I must have been in about fifth grade. One rule at our house was that we ate supper together every night at 5:30, no exceptions. On this ill-fated early evening, we were dining, as we often did, on tuna casserole. My dad asked me to pass the salt. Being April Fool's Day, I very subtly unscrewed the shaker lid as I handed it to him. Of course, the top came off and the entire contents landed on Dad's tuna casserole. I roared, "April Fool's, Dad!" Dad laughed, too...and then he made me eat it. I was allowed to scrape off the excess but it did not much matter. It was horrible...and the last April Fool's trick I ever played on anyone.

Kids learn hard lessons and this was one of mine. What I gained from the experience was not so much about April Fool's but bearing the consequences of my behavior. When I used this story in class, it was obvious some of my students thought my father was too harsh with his punishment. I must admit, I hated his disciplinary action but it didn't kill me. Hebrews 12:7 tells us to, "Endure hardship as discipline: God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?" That verse follows Hebrews 12:6 which informs us that our God disciplines those he loves. Using the earthly father-heavenly father analogy, I must have been loved alot. Thanks for loving me, Dad!

Applicable quote of the day:
"April 1. This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four."
Mark Twain

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
www.hawleybooks.com
E-mail me at steve@hawleybooks.com