A Fellow Traveller

The Lord is my teacher, I shall lack nothing. He knows me by name and provides everything I need to learn. As I respond to his step by step instructions, I find my deep longings becoming satisfied. He leads me towards discovering new things for myself. There are even recess breaks where I can be restored and nourished. He guides me daily as I follow his lead through the curriculum. When I ask questions, he brings people, circumstances and his own writings to my attention. He never makes me feel stupid, just gently redirects and encourages me in a way that suits my personality. Even though I walk through overwhelming experiences and fearful times, I will keep focusing on my teacher. He is constantly with me. The time outs and words of correction, they comfort me because I know he loves me. He will never abandon or transfer me out but will stick with me through times of regression and stagnation. He prepares blessing in the "ah-ha" moments and I overflow with peace ...

Two one storey houses are side by side. Each are small in size and are occupied by one. There is a pet dog at each home and neither resident appears to own a vehicle. The large man is rarely seen outside but is obviously a collector whose collections are smothering him. He is consistent in yelling at his dog and appears ineffective in his coping skills. The lawn is rarely cut and the shingles on the roof are loose and crumbling. The silver haired woman is meticulous with her gardens and yard, often awake with the birds and outside to putter in her garden. Last summer I chatted with her as she stooped to pick weeds out between stones in the driveway. She was friendly and interesting to talk with. If I would have predicted change, my choice would have been based on the outward appearance. I would have wanted the man's house fixed up, with maybe even a change of owner and the woman's home left as it was. The woman's house now stands as a skeleton waiting for demolition. All w...

It is only sprinkling when I start walking this morning. From experience I have learned that it difficult to carry a heavy umbrella while delivering papers. Today I keep them in the plastic wrapper, add a coat with a hood and head out the door. As the intensity of the rain increases, I soon have a decision to make. Quitting is not an option but I could go back for an umbrella or even get the car. Our streets are lined with small trees whose canopy's are growing to cover the sidewalks. Today those trees become as friends to me. In some cases, the concrete is still dry underneath the thick roof of leaves. If I feel like stopping, I could experience relief from the rains. It would have been nice to have had a friend under those trees to talk to, or better yet, a friend to walk beside me. The rains of life come with regularity and I am once again dismayed with that reality. The rain falls on the just and the unjust..." but why now?" I ask. How better to walk with friends th...

Where do I begin? The lesson plan was written up, the Grade 2/3 Library class was chosen and the day and time were set. The rubric was posted for the lesson and all was set to go. Then the unexpected began. As the principal walked into the Library, I had my Grade One class. I had been thinking, "This will be a dry run for next period." Now I realized I had to deal with the behaviours as well as teach a lesson that I had planned for older children. She had my lesson plan in front of her so I knew I couldn't deviate and change things too much. I was exhausted at the end but felt things went as well as they could with that particular class. Then I began the same lesson with the Grade 2/3's, wondering if she would be slipping back in to observe as planned. When I pulled out the book to begin, the students quickly said, "You've read that book to us before!" I had totally forgotten! That information would not have been advantageous. As I kept going, I start...