Eduard, His Glasses, and God's Perspective

I See, I See, a children’s book I never knew existed until I walked into my 7-month-old’s (at the time) bedroom to read a book to him and there on the nightstand sat this book. I have never heard of this book like Go Dog Go, Frog & Toad, Tikki Tikki Tembo, and Love You Forever. In the top right corner of the book’s cover was a sticker from Bargain Books.

 

“$5.00” it read.

 

The book is about a boy who struggles to accept the fact that he has to get glasses because of his poor vision. When he walks into the store, the saleswoman notices his reluctant attitude towards the specs he needs and whispers in his ear to tell him something that transforms his perspective. From then on, he witnesses that what she said about the glasses was true! He embraces his additional accessory in large part because of what this saleswoman said to him. Every page after the eventful afternoon in the glasses store is another anecdote that there is something beautiful about wearing glasses.

 

This is what the saleswoman says before he puts the glasses on:

“With glasses you will see things that other people don’t. Special things. Just wait and see.”

As the boy’s hesitation turns into trust that these glasses can help people see what others don’t, his optimism also grows little by little. His faith in believing what the woman said paid dividends, and he began to look for opportunities to see the things other don’t.

 

I often feel that way with God. Each day, especially in the classroom, I deal with numerous challenges, setbacks, interruptions, expectations unmet, disgruntled parents, misbehaving students - the list goes on. When I manage to put on the Jesus glasses at any point in the day, it helps me see things I wouldn’t see if I never put them on in the first place.

 

I think God enjoys walking with us in that daily journey. When I submit to wearing the glasses God gives me in the form of faith and trust in him when I see the world his way, it becomes an adventure to see how God will show up through me and reveal his thoughts about a situation like how the previously unseen things revealed themselves to the main character in I See, I See.

 

For example, I have a 5^th grade student, and we will call him Bradley. One particular Thursday, a regular Thursday in the middle of November, Bradley was upset that another student was picking on him about his handwriting. He became so irritated, he belligerently expressed the injustice he felt for being called out the way he was. Important note: Bradley has a history of overreacting to situations by fixating on them and reeling over the fact that he is being unfairly treated – when he is unfairly treated, it makes sense to be frustrated, but from an emotional maturity standpoint, it is a struggle for Bradley to cooperate as a 10-year-old when he is emotionally unsettled. He simply becomes unglued, like a 4-year-old in a 5^th grader’s body. To make matters worse, him and his assigned group were completing a project that was overdo because things came up when we were supposed to finish, so any disruptions in the flow of the group project was reason to become frustrated as a teacher.

 

In other words, the kindergarten level behavior exhibited by 5^th graders was not something I was prepared to confront nor was it anywhere close to what I wanted to deal with at the end of a long day.

 

Without glasses, I would have reacted emotionally and would have drawn incorrect conclusions long before approaching the bickering students to do some fact-checking. In fact, I probably would have done know fact-checking. Bradley would have been wrongly accused because he was the one drawing the most attention to himself and looking at fault by becoming ubhinged about the issue.

 

With glasses on, God helped me take the high road of patience and love. I responded with wisdom – some of it tough love – empathy, and patience. I needed God’s help. There is no way it would have ended well without his guidance on how to discern the situation before bulldozing my way through it.

 

I am grateful because the student in the wrong – or at least what created the snowball of arguments – was not who and what I thought it was. Seeing through the perspective of how God sees things gave me what I needed in time of need: patience, wisdom, and gentleness- the fruits of the Spirit - among others.

 

The point is, it is easy to overreact in the field of education. Expectations are never met by 100% of the students, so the most important tool in the classroom, I would argue, is the glasses God gives me each day. The glasses, when I choose to wear them, gives me the fruits of the Spirit I need to be the image of Jesus the students so desperately need.

 

And “desperately” is a understatement.

 

I wouldn’t make it in the field as long as I have if I ignored those glasses. As Brandon Heath once sang, “Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missin'
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see”

 

Without the glasses, it is impossible to see what others don’t. It's impossible to see what God wants us to see in others. With them, I can see people the way God does, and isn’t that what we hope to do daily?

 

Give those glasses a try at your workplace, home, or wherever life takes you. They are not just designed for my classroom. It’s free, and God will take you incredible places with them if you make a daily decision to use them. He desires to partner with you, speak through you, and use you to do things you couldn’t do on your own. Look no further than what he did through Noah, Abraham, Moses, Solomon, Esther, Joseph, the disciples, Paul, and so many more.   

 

And at the end of the day, I guess $5.00 is quite the bargain in the picture book world.

Mocking Jesus

One of the lessons I teach my 5^th grade students is how words have negative and positive connotations. Typically, as an example, I use my physical appearance:

“Some people would say I am skin and bones. Others would say I am lean.” I would say. “Which one has a negative connotation?”

“Skin and bones,” students usually blurt.

Now imagine you and your best friend get into a fight over the last donut. You both want the delectable, cream-filled work of art, but instead of sacrificing your taste buds’ desire to consume the donut to preserve the bond you have formed with your best friend, you fight over it with catfighting, sarcasm, name calling, and eventually, mocking. Mocking.

Why is mocking associated with arguments and mostly unnecessary fighting. Meaning, why does mocking have a negative connotation? Mocking seems to introduce itself the moment nothing else works; like an offensive strategy that presumably gives those who use it an edge on the argument. As if we somehow got to the point of believing mocking can blow through the defenses of its opponent. But, it’s not just humans that do this to one another. Birds do this too. Please welcome, the Northern Mockingbird:

*Note: I am the owner of these photos and took them.

Is this bird a bad boy because it has the word mocking? I’ll let you be the judge:

According to a 5^th grade comprehension passage about the Mockingbird on I-Ready.com, “These birds can imitate just about any sound they hear. These sounds include those of other birds, animals, or objects. Mockingbirds can sound like a washing machine, a doorbell, or even squeaky door hinges.”

If you don’t think that’s annoying, you haven’t heard it all.

“And unlike other birds, mockingbirds LOVE to sing at night, especially when people are trying to sleep.”

Unless it’s “Graves Into Gardens,” by Elevation Worship or “Innocence” by Kenny G, I’m pretty sure imitating a song in the middle of the night at the expense of one’s peaceful sleep is a negative thing.

But if mocking is similar to imitating, like the mockingbird does, we should be like the mockingbird when it comes to being like Jesus. Ephesians 5:1-2 says it best:

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ…” (NLT)

So while the Northern Mockingbird is out there annoyingly following the example of your Maytag washing machine from Home Depot, you are called to follow Christ’s example – in a positive connotation sort of way.

At the end of the day, it seems mocking could be about semantics and what the context is. When you hear the word "mock" and "Jesus" in the same sentence, it is probably not a pleasant experience. You, similar to me, are likely thinking about when the Chief Priests mocked Jesus as he was being tortured and crucified on the cross for our sins and theirs (see Matthew 27:41). I am not saying the mocking Jesus in that sort of way is a good thing.

But if we’re thinking of mocking the way the bird does it by “imitation” of other things it is around, we may be onto something here.

After all, when it comes to imitating other birds, it’s not just one voice they mimic: “A mockingbird may combine the songs of 32 different bird species plus other sounds in a 10-minute song.”

Though it would be interesting to know the reasons they do this, the point being made in connection to Jesus is that we are called to imitate his voice in our daily lives. As Christians, the role we play should be to sound like Jesus in a world where it is very tempting to “Do you.”

Our world is filled with excuses to be individualistic – all around are billboards, advertisements, and commercials promoting you in an effort to convince you to buy their product. Recently, I saw an advertisement on TV during an NBA game break and its slogan is “Worship Yourself.” Speaking of the NBA, athletes are more frequently “doing what’s best for them” when it comes to making a decision to opt out of their contract and sign elsewhere. The star athlete and his agent believe they have been loyal enough or that their chapter in life has come to an end and it's on to something new. In some case, it is justified, but too often, it doesn’t have to happen.

Documented and instructed all throughout Scripture, God commands us to be imitators of Christ – to copy the way Jesus lived life and to study his ways carefully:

-         “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” – James 1:22-25

-        “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” – 3^rd John 1:11

-        “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” – Matthew 7:24

These are just a few examples, and what they all have in common are the words “doing” and “practice.” If we do what the Word tells us, believing it and practicing what it commands us to do, we are imitating the Christian standard set for men and woman who follow Christ.

We are mockingbirds, mimicking and imitating the sounds of whatever we worship and desire. If it is fashion, self, or the shiniest gadgets; if it is saving money, bitcoin, or investing in the stock market; if it is video games, fatty foods, and late nights binge-watching Neflix, we will imitate that sort of life in what we fill our minds with, how we fill our day, and why we behave the way we do. If I am to live my life wisely and go through it imitating anything, it should be Scripture, the way Jesus treated others, and God's call in my life. 

Therefore, if “mocking” is associated with the word imitating, than I would be happy to mock Jesus.

Which Kronk will you Listen to?

If you've never seen Disney's The Emperor's New Groove, you're missing out. Regardless, there is a scene in the comedy where the antagonist's quirky and brawny henchman, Kronk, is instructed to dispose of the emperor's body when he turned into a llama instead of dead. Kronk's plan is to throw the emperor into a burlap sack, tie it, and toss the unconscious llama into a waterfall with the hopes that it kills him or somehow makes him disappear. 

Don't worry, it's an animated film, so it's not as violent as you think.

Before Kronk follows through with his plan, a devil Kronk appears on his left shoulder and an angel Kronk appears on his right moments later. I won't spoil the rest of it, but Kronk does eventually listen to one of the celestial shoulder beings and it unravels a string of hilarious moments - even for adults -  throughout the film.

I have been teaching at the same charter school in the same grade level for over 10 years now, and one of the rewards that comes with longevity is that people, namely students, will approach me with eagerness and energy proclaiming how excited they are to be in my class one day...

...four years from now. 

The younger the child, the more passionate they are about their bold prediction of one day being a member of my classroom. Ninety percent of the time, I don't know their name and have never seen them before, even when they tell me their sister's friend's younger brother was in my class seven years ago. You're probably thinking, That math doesn't even make sense. The worse part is when they give you that look like you should know them by name because you taught their sister's friend's younger brother. 

In reality, I always look forward to these interactions because it reminds me of the small joys that come with sticking it out in one career field in one location. After all, who doesn't like to create a name for themselves and leave a lasting legacy that is positive and powerful? Every brief interaction with the little ones is the angel Kronk on my shoulder reminding me that these conversations throughout the school day are checkpoints along the hike of life that remind me I am headed in the right direction. Whenever I face any level of difficulty during the workday, I often cling to them like rations on a battlefield because they keep me focused on why God put me in this position.

Then there is the devil Kronk.

The devil Kronk reminds me how strict, disorganized, unqualified, and clumsy I am, which means these youngsters who claim they'll be in my class one day don't have enough information to know whether they'll succeed in my classroom. Worse, they probably won't like me because I'll find a way to mess up their only 5th grade experience.

I have a running joke with myself that devil Kronk likely loves more than the angel Kronk on the other side:

"Those who enter my class love me. Once they leave my class, they warn others about me." 

The worse part about this joke is there is deep level of truth behind it, though it is not the entire truth. However, when I only focus on the students who defined their 5th grade teacher as strict and difficult, I convince myself there is nothing to be proud of. There goes my legacy, and even if there is one, it's the version where I'm known as the horrible teacher who should be surprised he even has a job in education still. The devil Kronk can do handstands and make me laugh with his subtle jokes, but if I pay too much attention to him, I am doomed because my legacy becomes a believed lie that I allow to go straight down the waterfall with the llama.

Just like me, Paul had his own devil Kronk and angel Kronk. The super apostles (2 Corinthians 11) were his devil Kronks. They were false teachers who appeared to be superior to Paul by manner and authority. Paul was weak in appearance, unsightly, and those he came in contact with held the strong opinion that he should stick to letter writing over public speaking (see 2 Corinthians 10:9-10). Comparitively, Paul had no chance at persuading people by appearance - the good-looking super apostles had him beat by a mile. 

However, where Paul was weak physically and in appearance, he made up for with sound mind, unwavering dedication to his purpose, and self-discipline in his approach to sharing and spreading the Gospel  his mission was led by God and his commitment to what the angel Kronk told him.

When Paul addressed the church in Corinth, he repeatedly modeled how to view your weaknesses as a reflection of Christ's power. 

"Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Paul saw whatever inward or outward sign of weakness as another reason to glorify God because His power and grace would sustain him through all hardship. 

Whether I take the good opinions and criticisms about my teaching with a grain of salt or not, if I put my career in the hands of the Father rather than in my appearance like the super apostles did, I will learn to take the feedback through the lens of Christ and the Holy Spirit (the angel Kronk) in me. 

Sure, the devil Kronk might still exist in my mind, but the idea of him dictating my life sounds more and more laughable by the minute when I have a living, active God who is not only in  my corner, but is worthy of my praise whether I am weak or strong. 

Before Kronk makes his decision to let the sack go down the waterfall or not, the devil Kronk confidently gives the angel Kronk and Kronk three reasons they should listen to his ideas:

Devil Kronk: "Number one - look at that guy! He's got that sissy stringy music thing!"

Angel Kronk (agitated): "We've been through this. It's a harp, and you know it."

Devil Kronk: "Reason number two. Look what I can do."

Devil Kronk then proceeds to do a handstand, and half way through his performance, lifts one hand as a show of strength and skill.

Kronk (confused): What does that have to do with anything?

Whether I am too strict or the greatest teacher of all time. Ultimately, if pleasing God is my end goal, it is Christ in me that will be my positive, powerful legacy.

In light of Christ in me, all Satan can do is a handstand, while the Holy Spirit can help me make decisions that are in alignment with Christ and his will for me.

What the students see when they want me as their teacher is Christ in me, and when I fully embrace the power of the Holy Spirit in my heart and mind, it makes Satan's handstands more comical than intimidating. My dad's version of the devil Kronk is "A lion without teeth." His version is probably more accurate than a miniature Kronk with a mouse voice, devils horns, a trident, and a red wet suit. Regardless, who we listen to will determine how we carry out God's will for our lives.

When Paul was a changed man through God's intervention, he did not turn back - he listened to the angel Kronk voice in him and pressed onward toward the goal to spread the Gospel to as many nations and churches as he could. He understood who lived in him, which carried far more weight than appearing wealthy, knowledgeable, and powerful like the super apostles did.

"I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

- Paul, from Galatians 2:20

Paul knows what it's like to listen to both the angel Kronk and the devil Kronk; he persecuted Christians before he became the Paul we know today. 

God loves to remind me who I am in him, and when students approach me with eagerness and excitement - and a hint of naivety - exclaiming their prediction about being in my future class, it reminds me of the positive, powerful legacy I am creating with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Whether he's a toothless lion or an animated devil in red spandex, our free will and the advocate we are promised in the Holy Spirit gives us the power to not listen to him.

Even if the Holy Spirit is a robed angel with a sissy stringy music thing.