This post is part of the October 2018 Edition of 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes. I hope you”ll join me in seeing where each prompt takes us.
P.S. Just so you know, I’m finding it difficult to stick to five minutes (**) and it may take me longer than the 31 days to finish all the prompts. Not easy for this rule follower!
You can read more 31 Days entries at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com
Brushing Up on Our “How To”
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 (NIV) / Pixabay
One of the kids’ and my favorite assignments in Second Grade was always to write the steps of “How to Brush Your Teeth”! It was a rare time when they wrote furiously because they knew that their crazy teacher would follow the directions to act out some of their compositions. Quickly scanning each paper as I walked through the aisles helped me choose the perfect ones to demonstrate.
Asking for volunteers who were sure they’d written every step, without fail each hand would always go up. Some stretched as high above their neighbor’s as they possibly could get. Others waved back and forth to grab my attention. And still a few more added excited grunting noises to accompany their enthusiastic hand gyrations.
Maybe you can guess the outcome of this writing task. While my little authors may have remembered the required transition words, my accompanying award-winning performances typically included trying to get toothpaste from the tube** without first taking off the lid, finishing with a sticky toothbrush as rinsing it off was forgotten, and the all time favorite: me, ending up with a mouthful of foam and bubbles dripping down my chin because “spit it out” had been overlooked. While it was always great fun, it also taught each child to look for themselves to see what they were missing.
We have the same sort of assignment today. As our life stories are being written day in and day out, how are we doing at including all the steps to “How to Walk the Christian Walk”? Is someone who glances at our lives, able to follow our steps to Jesus?
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:9-18(NIV)
I don’t know about you, but I’m afraid that I’ve forgotten some of those important steps! Oh sure, I might first, start with good intentions. But then, I can find myself stuck in a sticky situation and finally, end up with a mouthful of regret. Way too often, in my rush to succeed, I overlook what The Teacher has taught me. Anyone else out there raising their hand to that one too?
The “toothbrushing” writing lesson was only one of many opportunities my students had to practice getting it right; God knows we’re a work in progress, too. It’s important that we each look for ourselves at what it is we might be missing. Then, we can brush up on our “Christian How-To” by studying the words of instruction provided in the Bible, following Christian examples who can help guide us, and fixing our eyes on the “Author and Perfecter” of our faith until step by step, our assignment is completed and we’re the ones chosen to be shared.
