Last month, my students wrote blessings for their unborn children in the far off future. The following, from December 12. 2008, is about a young lady and that same assignment from twelve years ago.
Annie was absent the day we turned The Blessing Of Aaron from Numbers 6:24-26 into artwork for my classroom wall. That same period, my eighth graders comprised their own nighttime blessing for their as yet unborn child of the distant future. Several days ago, Annie, an irrepressible and talented young lady, walked into one of my high school classes to replace a sheet of construction paper she had misplaced for the artistic portion of her project. She forgot that the gentlemen in my classes stand when ladies enter and was startled when the young men rose to their feet. Annie quickly composed herself, smiled a dazzling smile, and spoke volumes in middle school girl vernacular with one simple word: "Cool!" Today, she turned in the blessing for her unnamed little one. I was struck by a theme she mentioned which is admitted often in my classroom but less often, I suspect, to Mom and Dad at home. Annie referenced the unwillingness of youth to listen to the wisdom of their parents while at the same time, acknowledging the relevance and insight of that same wisdom. I can't predict the first or last name of Annie's child but I will make a prophecy- that child will be blessed with a wonderful mother. After reading this, I know you will agree.
"Dear Child, may the Lord bless you and keep you. He will always be there for you and I pray that you know that. I know, my dear child, that you will not always listen to and trust what I tell you; I did the same to my mother. However, just like me, as you live life, you will learn what your mother says is true. I will always love you. When I speak, I will be kind so you will learn to speak kindly. Dear child, I lay you down to sleep and pray we wake up to see the morning. Goodnight, my child."
Applicable quote of the day:
"Making a decision to have a child -- it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."
Elizabeth Stone
Applicable quote of the day # 2:
"Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love."
Stevie Wonder
God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
www.hawleybooks.com
E-mail me at steve@hawleybooks.com
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