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Stories
Who Cares?
by Dianne Miller
Philippians 2:18- - "So you too
should be glad and rejoice with me. I hope in the Lord
Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be
cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else
like him, who takes a genuine interest in your
welfare."
We are all born with the innate need to be cared for, to
be loved, and listened to. To know that someone actually
does take an interest in our lives, our concerns, the
things that make us tick. I think everyone can relate and
remember some point in their lives when we voiced
outloud, that no one cared.
Yet, we know in our heart of hearts that God cares. We
have read over and over the wonderful scriptures that so
clearly paint the only picture in the universe that
displays such a panorama of love, and care. God is love,
and He displayed that love in the birth, life, death,
resurrection and accension of His only Son, for us, His
beloved. We know this. We experience it. But, in all of
that reality with our faith in Him, we still sometimes
come up short and are wanting.
We so yearn for His love to be shown to us through
someone He sends our way, possibly in the form of a
friend, a parent, a mentor, a spouse, a teacher,
neighbor, or even a stranger.....anyone.
How it thrills our hearts when someone personally takes
an interest in us. I am sure as well, that we can all
recall, almost to the moment, when someone who we
respected, and looked up to, actually took that interest
in us. What a difference it made in our outlook on life,
and our focus on goals, and motivation. They are
exhibiting in their lives what the scripture refers to,
by not just doing what is required, but actually going
that second mile. That person showed a genuine care, and
wasn't just doing their job, so to speak.
I remember vividly a teacher I had in High School, who
seemed so stern and standoffish. She was a good English
teacher, and I certainly had a respectful fear of her. I
was quite shy in school, and never would offer anything
on my own, in any of my classes.
I had heard that in all of her classes, she had her
students up in front of the room most of the time,
whether it was giving oral book reports, speeches on any
given subject, doing mini skits and plays, or being
engaged in a debate. There were always many grueling, and
fear provoking assignments that would set your and
kneecaps in motion! Anyone who was the least bit shy was
sent into a dillerium of fear that would ruin a whole
week with the anxious contemplation of that day.
During the summer before the my Senior year rolled
around, we were sent our class schedules by mail. What to
my horror did I see, that I was in Mrs. Parker's
accellerated English class! To most "normal"
students this would have been a thrill and honor of a
life time, for this was a class that she handpicked from
all the students of the year before. I was petrified. The
thought of being in her class actually ruined the rest of
my summer.
When the day had finally, and much too quickly arrived, I
went straight to the office, and begged them to change my
schedule. I told them that I needed a study hall, and the
only thing that they could do, was trade my English class
with another one, during a different hour. As I very
facetiously showed my disappointment, I accepted my new
assignment, and was off to first class. When the hour
rolled around for my regular English class, I joined the
students that were hiding in the back on the room. Roll
call came next. As Mrs. Parker was reading off the names,
she would look out across the room for each matching
face. When she came to my name, she stopped midsentence
and her eyes caught mine! She actually yelled out in
horror, and said what are YOU doing in my class room. I'm
sure the other students must have been in shock, as she
came back and pulled me out of my seat, and marched me
into the office. Probably before the ink had dried, my
schedule was changed once again, to its nightmarish
condition. I was devastated.
The next day, as I arrived to my final destination, I
felt that I was being led to the gallows! I relented, sat
down with a sigh, and gave up. Once the class was
underway, and the days and weeks rolled by, I was feeling
more and more at home in her classroom. I actually was
learning to appreciate literature, and poetry and the
arts.
I had always been involved with music all through school,
whether playing my violin, or singing in the choir. But
that involvement was always limited to group
participation. I had never been pushed out there front
and center. Mrs. Parker, actually made me feel like she
really cared about ME! Why would she have gone to all of
that trouble just for me? Who was I, other than a
frightened and very shy and withdrawn child.
I thrived that final year in High School. I actually was
in two school plays, doing bit parts, but not just in
front of my peers in that once dreaded accellerated
English class, but now out in front of the whole student
body, along with the teachers, parents, and friends.
Earlier I would have felt as if I were laying myself out
bare for humiliation. But, I loved it and was actually
enjoying the result of what a caring and wonderful human
being saw in me. She was very astute and discerning, I
believe, and really cared how her students faired, not
only in their learning, but in life. If she hadn't taken
an interest in me, I probably would never be who I am
today. I know I wouldn't.
This was only one example that I recall, that had great
impact on my life. I could recount others in different
situations along the way that God has used to help form
me into who I am today. But, do I stop there with what
has been done for me? That would be selfish, and
uncaring. I am to be a Mrs. Parker to someone else. We
all are. After all, in the words of Paul, each of us
should look not only to our own interests, but also to
the interests of others. As you are blessed this day,
show someone else the love of God by caring!
_____________________
Understanding
A farmer had some puppies he needed to
sell. He painted a sign advertising the pups and set
about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he
was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on
his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little
boy. "Mister," he said, "I want to buy one
of your puppies."
"Well," said the farmer, as
he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "these
puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of
money."
The boy dropped his head for a moment.
Then reaching deep into his pocket he pulled out a
handful of change and held it up to the farmer.
"I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take
a look?"
"Sure," said the farmer. And
with that he let out a whistle,
"Here, Dolly!" he called. Out
from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by
four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face
against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with
delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the
little boy noticed something else stirring inside the
doghouse.
Slowly another little ball appeared:
this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid Then
in a somewhat awkward manner the little pup began
hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up...
"I want that one," the little boy said,
pointing to the runt.
The farmer knelt down at the boy's side
and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will
never be able to run and play with you like these other
dogs would." With that the little boy stepped back
from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one
leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel
brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself
to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer,
he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself,
and he will need someone who understands."
The world is full of people who need
someone who understands.
On to
Page Two
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