Just Because

So many families are broken. In our world today, to give up on someone you once said you loved, and break that relationship, is a common practice. Families are broken everyday because of anger, unforgiveness, selfishness, and pride. We fail to sacrifice for the ones we love because it just seems too hard.

To forgive is something we do because it heals relationships. But in this society of throw away marriages, unborn babies who are choices, and children divorcing parents, families have become broken. I pray for the families of America, I pray for the families of the world, because without families loving one another and forgiving one another, life becomes worthless.

"Pray, hope, and don't worry," Padre Pio once said. So, for my family, and for all families, I pray, hope, and don't worry.

Prayer For Families

God, Our Father, loving and merciful, bring together and keep all families in perfect unity of love and mutual support. Infuse in each member the spirit of understanding, forbearance, and affection for each other.
Keep quarrels, bitterness and pettiness far from them, and for their occasional failures instill forgiveness and peace.
May the mutual love and affection of parents be a source of loving obedience and discipline. May their chastity and fidelity be a inspiration to their children.
Instill in children such self-respect that they may respect others, obey their parents and those in authority and grow in mature independence and the tender joys of friendship.
Make the mutual affection and respect of families a sign of Christian life here and hereafter, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Give Thanks

I have discovered, slowly but surely, the way to peace, love, and hope, is to be thankful for everything. To be thankful for the curses as well as the blessings. To be thankful for the hard times, sad times, lonely times, and mad times. It is during the dark times when I seek God the most, so for all I am given, and all that I lose, I am thankful.

The following poem I wrote for my 8th grade graduating class of 2002, which was an especially challenging and spirited group of students. Because I wanted to love my students, regardless of their behavior, I prayed for them, and I thanked God, everyday, for their questions, complaining, and unmanageable laughter. They were a challenge and a blessing, and a class who helped me grow as a teacher and a christian disciple. Without my sufferings, I can not grow in my love for God and others, so in all my trials and tribulations, I give thanks.


Only God Can Fashion

It’s sitting in the quiet of the room
that finally makes me smile.
As the echo of all your voices loom
in my memory, for just awhile.

In the moment, it’s overwhelming at times
but the chaos, I thank God for.
Because if it weren’t for a class that chimes,
I would wonder why, and more…
I would miss the thoughts that freely fly
from the mouths of each unique mind.
To hear your laughter, no reason why,
shows how each one is trying to find…

Your reason for school and the time spent here,
sometimes it may seem like such a waste
to fit in, you seek, to be cast out, you fear,
revealing who you are is to lose your soul in haste.
For if all knew your heart and the weakness that dwells within,
then there may be a sea of rude rejection.
So it’s best to pretend and live in the sin
for a while, there’s freedom with worldly perception.

The perception of the world will only last for so long,
living the kind of life that society says to live.
They say to live for you, and this can’t be wrong,
When to only a select few, nature’s abundance does give.
It’s survival of the fittest, science does proclaim,
As we watch each person fighting to belong.
Many are searching for power and fame
In a world that glorifies the strong.

“The meek shall inherit the earth,” the Bible says.
True words from the heart of our Lord.
In your weakness you’re strong, and God will bless
your humble footsteps, in Christ, move toward.
Move toward the sacrifice of first thinking of others.
Always choose to do our best for God’s creation.
Pray to end the hate that kills our sisters and brothers,
Live the life of forgiveness that only God can fashion.

Love in Christ,

Kristin A
May 14, 2002

Faithful Friends

As a teacher, I have many exciting opportunities to attend conferences with energizing speakers, stimulating classes, and countless resources. Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools, or MANS Conference at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. After hearing a fantastic keynote speaker, the teachers had many choices of educational sessions we could attend for the next hour.

I intended on going to a session titled, A Teacher’s Bag of Tricks for Grades K-8: Differentiation and Assessment. After I made my way to the conference room where the class was to be held, I discovered every chair was full and the walls were lined with eager teachers. I didn’t want to stand, which guided me to the room next door. I stood in the doorway and looked inside. Seeking some sign of the topic before entering, I decided the small number of people in this huge conference room, the dim lights, and cool temperature, was a clear invitation to come inside.

Heavy with my own burdens, I went to an empty second row in front of the speaker and sat in the center chair. I breathed for a moment, and opened myself to whatever God had in store for me, and hopeful He’d give me exactly what I needed. God is so good and never fails to care for me! It made me smile when the instructor, Glenn Grage, introduced himself and told us the name of the session: Faithful Friends in Crisis Times.

I knew at that moment that Jesus is my faithful friend, and He will be there for me in all my times of crisis, and when I need it most, He’ll send me someone with a listening ear, or a shoulder to cry on. I also learned how important it is for me to be a faithful friend to anyone in crisis, especially my students. Some important points I learned are:

• A crisis is different for each person and is best defined as a decisive movement or turning point in which a decision must be made
• As people move through the phases of their crisis, they will either get worse from the crisis or grow from it
• Faithful friends can help those in crisis grow from the experience by looking to Jesus as an example

Mr. Grage used the story of Jesus Raising Lazarus from the Dead as a step by step example of how I can be “Jesus with skin” to those in crisis.

1. When Jesus heard the news of Lazarus being sick, He taught the disciples that this is not for death, but for the Glory of God. When I hear of a crisis, I must pause and pray for them, asking God to reveal His Glory.
2. Jesus met Martha on the road. She shared her thoughts and feelings, and he didn’t take her feelings personally. He let her talk and then asked for Mary and wanted her brought to him, and he listened to her as well. Like Jesus, I must go to those in crisis and let them talk, share their worries and feelings and just be there for them.
3. Jesus asked Martha and Mary to trust Him. When I completely trust Jesus, I will encourage others in crisis to trust in Jesus, too. Jesus I trust in You!
4. Jesus Wept. To share in the sorrow of those in crisis is to share their burden. I must share their sorrow, and cry with them.
5. Jesus calmly bore the hostility of those in crisis. I must remember that a crisis brings anger and hostility, and I must bear it with love, patience, and humility.
6. Jesus took action, prayed to the Father, and called Lazarus from his tomb. To take action in a crisis situation means I must pray, believe, and see the Glory of God! Love in Christ, Kristin Ball