Bitter Sweet Satisfaction

(Job Satisfaction-Part 2)

From the full mustache and the deep voice, it was obvious that puberty had long since past him. Still the boyish tangle of hair and his melancholy eyes spoke more of the years he'd fallen through the cracks. His folder told me that his school career is almost through; the system that somehow failed him is about to launch him into adult life.

He bent over the notebook paper, his brow creased with effort. "Spell want." I told him, and watched the large squiggly letters form. W-O-T. He relaxed waiting for the next word, while my heart broke. If he couldn't spell want I knew he couldn't spell caught.

As he sat before me I wondered who it was that first noticed he wasn't getting things. Had they just passed him by? How many failed papers or years of struggle had it taken for someone to reach out to this one? I felt angry! Here he was; there wasn't much time for him now. He had years of ground to cover and so little time.

Glancing over his profile I noted that he was "too old" for his grade. "Why hasn't anybody done something!" I wondered. Clearly he'd never even been given a second chance at a grade. The No Child Left Behind Act had been in effect when he was still in elementary school. "A lot of good it did him!" I send a silent angry vibe out to all the politicians. People trying to "make education better" who have never met kids like him, never had to sweat over a child. Here was one that all the politics hadn't done a thing for! They spout the catch phrases and wax eloquent over philosophy while hard working kids still don't make it.

Later, as we poured over a lists of sight words I again wondered how he's made it all these years. "Pro-pro-pro..." he sighed from exhaustion. "You've got that part, look at the rest." I encouraged him. "C-c-c," "Remember that c says /s/ here." "Cess.. pro, cess - process?" "Good!" As I looked forward over the list I could see numerous problems ahead: silent e's, long and sort vowels, digraphs. All cracks that he had fallen through.

Somewhere in the midst of counting all the rifts in his education I realized that I was happy. "This," I thought to myself, "is why I went to school!" So, for the first time, in a long time, I'm happy to wake up in the morning and head off to work. My student helped me realize how truly satisfying a job can be.

Rumors Aren't All Bad

Rumors have taken nations to war, destroyed relationships, brought down great men, taken lives, and inspired fanaticism. Leviticus 19:16 commands: "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of they neighbour: I am the Lord." (KJV) While Proverbs 20:19 warns: "He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips." (ASV) Clearly, being the bearer of gossip is a dangerous and harmful position.

In life, however, sometimes very bad things can produce positive results. Has a rumor ever driven you to action? Perhaps one you should have taken; but that you wouldn't have on your own. Has gossip ever caused you to stop and examine your own ways? Or has it ever made your realize how good your life really is?

I recently came across a very inspiring rumor. The source of this tale has been the source of many such stories in the past. For some these fabrications have been damaging and perhaps quite terrorizing. Yet, for me, the rumor was needful.

Let me clarify, I didn't fall for this untruth. By the time this particular story reached me it was accompanied by a thorough explanation as to why it wasn't true and the detailed steps that had been taken to disprove it. Still the content of the rumor made an important impression on me.

I suppose this just goes to show that God really can use anything.

What are you trading for those mistakes?

Mistakes. Everyone makes them. So why do they so often haunt us as if we are the only ones to have ever failed? It may have happened a few days ago or even years ago but the heat still rises to your face every time you think of it. Maybe your angry at yourself for being so silly, or maybe just ashamed.

"Live life, we all stumble, it's ok."

The fact is that we can live past mistakes and grow through them, but the residue may always be there. Every event or happening in your life shapes who you are. Each choice, step, or misstep effects your future. You can never get back those moments of foolishness or careless pride.

On my mother's fridge is a quote: "Whatever you do today, remember that you are trading one day or your life for it." This question always haunts me. Each day I live I'm giving up; never to be able to go back and live it better.

So often, before we falter over the edge of that little mistake, we have a chance to choose another path. What might happen if we could but pause a little in the rush of our mad lives and lives a little more purposefully. Maybe we'd have fewer of those shameful remembrances. Maybe everyday we trade would be worth it.