Opportunity. Opportunities to embrace and opportunities to give. I have to start with the opportunity to embrace. Had our friend and mentor in Washington not followed his belief and dedication to opportunity, he would never have been able to offer us ours. Our story, or opportunity, starts with a need in one of the schools/districts in which he works with at the state level. He talks of this community, on a reservation, on the coast, not much infrastructure, but pure beauty in all aspects. Immediately, we were hooked. The appeal was opportunity. It was a chance for us to embrace and use our positions as educators and be of service to others.
Curtis's daily mantra to me in the past has been, "it's a great day to make a difference in the life of a child." Both of us knowing and feeling like it was somewhat of a sarcastic mantra. I mean, we lived in a place where we see students who come from seemingly thriving families and situations, in general. I say "seemingly" because I realize that we all have our thing, but using Matthew 25 as a reference, these are folks who have been given the "5 talents" and they use it! We were feeling like while this is a place with an abundance of students and families, which is what we are in the business of reaching, we may not be making the best use of our "talents" here. Not saying that there isn't opportunity wherever you are, just saying, "Are we where we are suppose to be at this time?"
Matthew 25:20-21
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
We want to be able to share and multiply what has been given to us. Sitting in church today listening to the references from Matthew.....something stood out to me. Jesus went to the seemingly insignificant populations. He befriended and sought the seemingly insignificant individuals. He came into this world in one of the most insignificant places, Bethlehem. Why not Jerusalem? I thought about why we are here. This place is anything but insignificant to me, but I can see how one could bury their "talents" due to life circumstances.
Which leads me to the giving part.We are here to provide others the opportunity to use their "talents"....and multiply them. I have also found that it's not just in efforts towards our students...but their families, our coworkers, and the communities we are a part of. It's been a struggle, I'm not going to downplay that. I mess up and may lose focus daily. I ask myself everyday, "What the heck am I doing here? Am I doing what I was led here to do? Or, am I totally screwing this opportunity up? I don't know!" But, what I do know is, I am suppose to be here and I will pray like crazy for the guidance to serve in the best way I know how.
Since this was a family decision and we all sacrificed the comforts we were used to, I can't forget to mention the talents and opportunities given to our boys. They realize the opportunities that have been given to them and are grateful for them everyday. I am so proud of them and who each one of them are. Each one uses their talents to serve those around them and they don't even know it.
Matthew 25
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Cooper said in the car, "I wonder what I would say to God when I see him." My response was something I think about often..."I wonder what he will say to me!" I hope it's something like, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Sometimes I picture it as if I were in line at a club and Jesus calls out to the bouncer..."Oh! Hey Missy! it's ok, she's with me, I know her." You can look at it either way:)
Today, I am happy for this moment of opportunity.
Today, I am happy for this moment of opportunity.
