It’s the last Friday before the first Monday of the new school year. The four of us were lingering over lunch, relaxed, laughing, reminiscing and having a good time, not really wanting it to end. One of the group said that this would probably be the last time we’d be sitting in the lounge doing what we were doing once Monday comes. Once the kids arrive next Monday, that’s who we will be lunching with… and that’s OK.

Our school’s theme this year is “Rooted in Prayer.” In our opening devotions the other day, I may have heard the speaker incorrectly, maybe, but it seemed like in addition to making prayer a priority we told that we need to DO things to make a difference. I might not be getting that quite right, but I think he was saying we need to pray and then do something…

I might have this all wrong… the point of the devotions and all. I should have been paying better attention I guess. And don’t get me wrong I’m not against prayer or working hard at doing my job. It’s not that at all. As a matter of fact, I just might take a few of my Saturday afternoon hours and see what I can do to get the school garden in shape for this year’s students. All of us do a lot!

I’m thinking that rather than doing more I need to find a better focus. After all, how can I squeeze more into an already packed schedule. Maybe, rather than doing, I should work on BEING … more patient, kinder, available to my students and colleagues, a better friend, more Christ-like and … in keeping with the school theme, a more rooted in prayer. If I can do this, I’m convinced this year will be successful in spite of what I try to do.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” Galatians 5:22, 23