The Principal - All Things Work Together for Good

When my oldest daughter was in elementary school, the cafeteria had a traffic light in the lunchroom that would flash and sound when the kids got too loud. I found it very disturbing when I would eat lunch with my daughter. Other parents complained too and we wrote a letter about it.

20 years later, my daughter, now grown with children of her own that attend the same school, saw the traffic light at a school auction last year and commented to the principal that she missed the traffic light. The principal, Gay Pruett, told my daughter some of the parents had a problem with it and a letter was written about it so it was removed. When my daughter told me about the conversation, my heart sank. I guess I never asked my daughter if the lights and sounds were disturbing to her. Now looking back at how hard it was to try to keep all those kids quiet and eating instead of talking during their lunch I understand its value.

I felt that I owed an apology to the school. I fought the urge to say anything for over a year. After all, that was what... 20 years ago? But, the thought would just never leave me.

Finally, I decided I had to do something. I called the school and found out the principal had just retired. I started searching the internet and found her on Facebook and sent a friend's request. Then I found her phone number. On Sunday afternoon, I called and got an answering machine with a man's voice. I left a message of who I was and that I wanted to speak to Mrs. Pruett, the former principal about a personal matter, and if this was the correct number would she please return my call. I really did not expect her to call thinking that if she remembered me she probably would not want to talk to me.

Within an few hours, my phone rang and it was her. My heart raced when I saw her name on the caller ID. I thanked her for returning my call and told her that I owed her a long overdue apology and related in detail the incident. I told her I was sorry for being so immature and opinionated without considering the school's position. She listened and then to my surprise said she only remembered it being a bone of contention with a lot of the parents but never thought anything more about it. I confessed that I have been looking back and seeing a lot of things I wished I would have done differently. She laughed with me and admitted that she too has things that she wished she had not done or could have done better.

As we talked, I complimented her on her accomplishments at the school and related to her that I remembered seeing her clean the kitchen tables off and thought how great of a statement that made of how much she cared about the students and the school for them to see her helping in that way. I wished I had written a letter about that instead. She confessed that when school stopped being fun with all the new rules and regulations she knew it was time to retire.

She then opened up to me about how that 6 months after she retired her husband was diagnosed with cancer in three areas in his body. She shared how they had hoped to spend quality time together and now it is spent going to cancer treatments. She did not sound discouraged and believed God was working in their life and was trusting Him.  I offered words of encouragement and told her I would be praying for them. We said our good-byes and hung up the phone. I just sat there for a while soaking in what God had just done.

A little while later I received a notification from Facebook on my phone. She had accepted my friend's request and sent me a private message.

Her message said:

"I just had to thank you for your call today. God is so good! Your call came at a time when I have been questioning life. He is so totally in control. Hope you have a wonderful week."

I think of the times I fought making that phone call because of the embarrassment and shame I thought it would cause to me. I never thought of what it would do for her. And I certainly never thought that God was trying to use the situation for a time when she herself needed some answers. Like my new friend said, "God is so good!".

Since that time, we have developed a close friendship.  She came to a ladies conference with me.  I went to visit her when her husband was dying with cancer.  God can take something that the devil has used to torment us for years and in one moment's time, turn it for something good.  That is just how our God works.  All things work together for the good, of them who love him and are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Encourage Yourself

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. (Psalm 42:5)

David was a shepherd. A “cast” sheep is one that is unable to get back up on its legs. If the shepherd doesn’t find the sheep and help it get back on its feet, the sheep will die.

After fighting the Amalakites, David and his men returned to Ziklag to find that their wives and children had been taken captive by their enemies, and their homes burned. As a result, David’s men turned against him but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. (1 Samuel 30:6)

We all get discouraged.  We can become disappointed with ourselves, decisions or mistakes we have made. 

When we become discouraged we have two choices.  We can stay down or rise up. 

First examine yourself.  Then forgive yourself.  Then encourage yourself. 

If we do not get back up, we will die.  And who will receive the glory. The one who comes to steal, kill and destroy.  Give God the glory, get back up... and Live.

But I Can

God said I have plans for your life, You will never realize those plans until you are willing to let go of your yesterday and willing to step into your tomorrow.

But I just can't.  You don't understand, I just can't. I just can't.  I just can't.  I just can't.  You don't know what happened yesterday.  I just can't.  You don't know what happened in my life so how do you expect me to let it go?  How do you expect me just to release it just like that?

Twenty years of pain built up.   Twenty years of disappointment.  Twenty years of bad relationships.  Twenty years of trying to make something work and it just fell to pieces.  Twenty years of just trying to do something. And you say, well I just can't do that. 

Well let me help you with something:
If God can't violate your will.  What makes you think the devil can?
God said, I gave you a will. 

We are putting the blame on something else.   But when you make up your mind I want to be delivered, you are going to get delivered.  The fact of the matter is you have to pull yourself up and say I am better than this. I deserve to be delivered.  I deserve to have a breakthrough.  I deserve it. 

Strife.  Malice.  Envy.  God, exalt your word above these things. 

Make up your mind.  I refuse to be bitter.  It is going to take your will.  

Rev. Bobby Wade