Shut Out And Shut Down

I was working on some lessons today. While trying to write something up, I came across this old fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm.  The story is told of a father, mother, and son, who lived in the grandfather's house. Grandfather had gladly welcomed his extended family into his home. He made it clear that everything he had should be considered as theirs. Saying he really didn't need such a big place; grandpa's bedroom was soon given to the mother and father; his fields were planted and harvested as if they belonged to the mother and father. 

At first the young family was most thankful. But then, as the years past, grandpa's presence in their lives became a burden, a nuisance, a disgrace, an embarrassment. When friends came to call, grandpa was shuttled off to the upstairs; when conversation was made at the dinner table, grandpa was ignored. Finally, at one supper, grandpa was bumped as he lifted the fork to his mouth. The food fell off the fork, hit his shirt, and ended up staining the tablecloth. Upset with the mess, mother talked with her husband and they agreed, grandpa should be moved away from the family dinner table.

And so it was. Grandpa was given a spot in the corner of the kitchen where he could sit on a stool and eat from a bowl. From a distance he sat in silence, watching his family eat his food, from his plates, in his kitchen. Then, one day, as the mother was bringing food to the table, it looked like she would trip on one of her son's toys. Grandpa raised his voice and called a warning. As he stood up to catch the mother, his plate went flying. His food went all over the floor and the plate shattered. Distraught, grandpa's son shouted, "If you cannot eat better than a pig, then you shall eat like a pig." And the son built a small wooden pig trough for his father. Grandpa was banished from the kitchen and moved to the front porch. There, by himself, he ate his meals out of the trough of a pig. 

Things might have stayed that way forever, if it had not been for that day when the mother and father came upon their little boy playing out in the yard with some small pieces of wood. They asked, "What are you making?" With pride, the boy held up his project, smiled, and said, "I'm building a trough for you and mama. That way, someday, when I'm big, I'll be ready to feed you the same way you feed grandpa." Now, because this is one of Grimm's happy-ever-after fairy tales, the story ends with mother and father realizing grandpa's value, bringing him back to the table, and being appreciative of all he had done for them. 


Is that not how sometimes we treat God? Or other people who are God's children?


We forget what's most important- love, and we shut God out, we shut people out, and we shut them down.


I'm not saying God is like a fumbly old grandpa- but we take the mentality that we forget about what He has done for us, and we think of Him as shut out and shut down.


When we run into problems- people and things we just don't know what to do with, we don't use Jesus as a first response, we use Him as a last resort.


But like that family welcomed that grandpa back into their lives, we are called to do the same thing with God and with others- and stay connected to Him.


When we are attached to Him, we will celebrate.
We will have more than enough joy to share with others.


I don't know if you've ever felt the sting of someone who doesn't want to be in your presence. Someone who has pushed you away.  But it hurts. It sucks- believe me, I know that full well. I still face that every single day. It feels like a knife is being slammed into your back. Wedged there. 


If you know what it feels like to be kicked down, punched in the stomach, knocked in the teeth, beaten in the head, and left there to lie- you know it hurts and it stings.


So why do that to God? Why do that to another person?


Remember all He has done for you and all He has shown you? Yeah, think of that the next time you put Him as a last resort. Think of that the next time you refuse Him by refusing someone else. 


Remember that God sent His only Son to die for you- He loves you that much and would run an extra mile for you and for your benefit. Welcome Him. Love Him. 


I know my posts have been really challenging the last few days- but my eyes have been opened and I wanted to share some of those thoughts with you.


Blessings from the last few days:
-Yesterday's day long workshop was on love and logic teaching- I (no pun intended) loved it- it teaches about teaching and disciplining with empathy, and I found a lot of real life applications beyond a classroom setting.


-I finished the ABC about me book to introduce myself to my students on Monday! Here is a sample of two pages. Yes, the "X" was a bit of a stretch, but there was no X word I could find to describe something I liked or something I enjoyed. Keep in mind this book is for very, very small children so it needed to be kept very simple.

- I am getting a LOT of work for this week accomplished today! Not quite ready yet, but I have one whole day to finish the rest!


-We watched Pirates of the Caribbean 4 last night on an outdoor movie screen. I haven't seen 1-3, but I was able to follow the plot really well and I laughed a lot!


-We also played Peanut (Nertz) with a group- I had some embarrassing moments, but many times during the game, we were screaming with hysteria! It was a great time!


-And I have made 2 new friends, with guys who are awesome brothers in Christ! Yes, I am a 5th year Senior, and yes, I still make new friends!


-I talked for about an hour with Jennifer, from the cafeteria today! It was great to catch up with her! 


-I am doing all sorts of new teacher things on my iPad2. I am excited to use it for practical use in the coming week as I adjust to becoming a teacher!


-Tonight, I am going to a Remedy Drive concert. It should be great!