Entry #12 -- White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha, Double Shot

Many, many years ago, prior to the days of taking the entire class to the Book Fair, our school allowed any student with any amount of change to go to the Book Fair at any time during the day. Those were tough days on a teacher.  I’m fairly well convinced that students were coming up with coins somehow…rummaging through desks, digging in playground pebbles, shaking gym shorts…not sure how they managed to do it. The point is that on Book Fair days, kids were always coming and going, up and down the hallways, in and out of classrooms, back and forth to the Book Fair—you get the idea!

You can only imagine how frazzled this 6^th grade teacher was as I attempted to maintain some type of learning atmosphere in our room.  Yet there he was!  In the hallway, just outside our door—flailing his arms, flagging down students, and whispering to them before they entered the room. Even though it was still early in the day, the limit of my patience (which usually isn’t much anyway) had officially been reached! I squared my shoulders, donned my stern look, and with all the teacher authority I could muster, marched myself to the doorway and barked, “Paul [not his real name], what ARE you doing?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Mrs. Willmon.  I was just trying to warn them to enter quietly because you haven’t had your coffee yet.”

Oops.

Sometimes who we truly are reflects in ways we cannot fathom.  Students understand this when they set their freshly completed homework on the kitchen table or counter, and the tiniest of forgotten crumbs can soak through that paper becoming a horrifyingly visible oil spot. That’s pretty much the same way the cares of this world within us soak through to the outside. The Bible clearly teaches us that our inward focus does become our outward billboard. So the question becomes:  What concerns within me are bleeding to the surface in ways I do not recognize?

Are you concerned about work? Too much work? Too little work? People at work?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”    Colossians 3:23,24 (NIV)

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”   1 Thessalonians 4:11,12 (NIV)

“Be strong and courageous, and do the work.  Do not be afraid or discouraged for the LORD God, my God, is with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you.”  1 Chronicles 28:20 (NIV)

Are you concerned about gossip? Unkind words? Hurtful words? To you? From you?

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”  James 1:19 (NIV)

“Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.”   Psalm 139:4 (NIV)

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Proverbs 15:1  (NIV)

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”   Ephesians 4:29  (NIV)

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”   Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

“There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.”  Psalm 29:20 (NLT)

Are you concerned about a rocky friendship? Need to be forgiven? Need to forgive?

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”   Ephesians 4:32   (NIV)

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”  Colossians 3:12, 13  (NIV)

Are you concerned about finances? Bills? Savings? Taxes? Basic needs [not wants]?

“…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:11-13  (NIV)

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19  (NIV)

“First, help me never to tell a lie.  Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!  Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.”   Proverbs 30:8  (NLT)

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?  Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” 

1 Chronicles  29:14 (NIV)

Are you concerned about health issues? Tired? Weary? Losing hope?

“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”  Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”  Isaiah 46:4  (NIV)

“So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.  Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”  Hebrews 12:12,13 (NLT)

“Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you.  He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.”  Psalm 55:22  (NLT)

Oh, and one last thought.  Just for the record, I patted Paul lightly on the shoulder and commended him for the fine job he was doing.  Then I smiled, and asked him to come back inside the classroom—as soon as he was finished.  No, it wasn’t one of my shining moments.  Now retirement age is creeping up on me.  As I sit here sipping my white chocolate peppermint mocha—double shot (these days, a rare treat); I realize that the more I trust God and rely on His word, the less likely the billboard of my life will ooze unsightly oil stains from within.

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian