Through The Mud Clearly

I am taking a class called Cultural Diversity. One of my first assignments is to write a short paper about an "incident" from my own past experience through which I learned about "difference". This is the first part in a five part assignment. Thought I would post it.

KINDERGARTEN WOES
I remember it like it was yesterday. Except; it wasn’t. I was five years old and in kindergarten. The classroom was large. Actually, it was two rooms which half of the center wall had removed to make one big room. My teacher; Mrs. Goodrich, was a tall, slender woman with short dark hair. I liked her. In my eyes, she treated everyone fairly. It was somewhere in the middle of the school year when “the incident” took place. There were two students; Susan and Cynthia who took a dislike of me from the very beginning. They make it clear to me that they came from wealthy families and they knew that I did not. I already was aware at the young age of five that there were definite differences in “class”. But that wasn’t “the incident” that bothered me. The following scenario is what affected me. Susan and Cynthia were playing with wooden blocks on the floor. I was not anywhere near them. As a matter of fact; I was on the other side of the room playing by myself. Suddenly, I heard what sounded like something crashing to the ground. As I looked in the direction of the noise; I heard Susan and Cynthia screaming and crying to Mrs. Goodrich. They said I had run over and knocked down their blocks. Mrs. Goodrich angrily asked me why I had done such a mean thing. I told her I didn’t do it. However; the teacher believed them and my punishment was no outside recess for that day. I think this incident has stuck with me for so long because I believe it was my first recognition of inequality coming from an adult I respected.

Last week, Arizona lost two TV news helicopter pilots and their photographers in a tragic accident. Then, later that same day a Phoenix Police Officer was killed in the line of duty. The community came together to honor these men. There were memorials set up at the crash site, at the TV stations and at the location where the Police Officer lost his life. The families of the pilots and photographers generously gave the money from the memorial bank accounts to the widow and sons of the slain Officer. The memorial services were televised and I watched all or part of all of them. I just finished watching the last one. They all said the same thing about these guys...they died doing what they loved doing. They were passionate about their work, their families and their friends. They lived each day to the fullest. I am writing this because in my previous post I wrote about passion etc...The death of these five guys got me to thinking about how I/we live life. It inspired me to be the best I can be in whatever God has for me to do. To dive head-first into life. Whether it be at work, school, church, at home or with friends and family. I don't know if this will look different outwardly; but I know it has made an impact internally. Lets all discover our passion and live it!!

Gifts, Callings and Passions
The other night, I attended a "small group" meeting. It is more like dinner and fellowship rather than a meeting. We (actually "they;" three guys with alot to say) were talking about our "passion." You know, the thing or things that motivate you, especially in your walk with God. Or... the giftings in your life. Well, all that talk got me to thinking about different people I know and what I think their gifts are. Some are Christians and some are not. I am not going to name names here; I am just going to describe their gifts as I see them. I work with someone who is a great encourager/exhorter...I emailed her this morning and told her that...she was encouraged! I know a couple of different people who excel in the area of hospitality...one knows it; while the other doesn't. How about the prophetic?! I know many people who are gifted in that area but few walk in it. I wonder why. I know someone who excels in the gift of service. She faithfully labors in service to the Lord. She also walks in mercy. My former neighbor is a very creative, artistic person. She uses that gift constantly! As for myself, I really can't pinpoint a certain gift (although I do know that I have one or two). I know that when I spend time with people who are walking in their gift....the annointing for that particular gift seems to land on me; I don't know why; but it does. Except that mercy thing!! Anyway, that is all I have to say for now.