God Will Take Care of You

One of my substitute jobs last week was in a local high school, in a classroom of ELL (English Language Learners) students. There were only two sudents in one of the classes and neither of them was too intent on doing the lesson. The younger of the two, a freshman, told me that his friend, a senior girl, was sick. When I asked her what was wrong, she reluctantly told me that she had just been diagnosed with cervical cancer. And, that she was scared.
I told her God had wanted me, a cancer survivor, to be in that classroom today so that I could talk to her. We talked about being strong and how she needed to have a fierce mental attitude in order to fight the disease. I tried to be very positive, but it was obvious that she was a very frightened young lady.
Then, I told her that I would ask all of my friends, everywhere, to pray for her. I said I knew a lot of prayer warriors, in a whole lot of places, who would pray for her, even if they didn't know her. She liked the thought of that and it made her smile.
So, I am asking you to pray for Olga. She needs healing of her body and the strength to fight this battle.

Dear God. Where you lead me, I will follow. Give me the words to help others see your strength and goodness. Grab onto Olga and hold her tight in your healing arms. Give her faith and courage. She's going to need it.

"For a Few Dollars More"

After a full day in the classroom today, I attended a meeting on classroom management. I must admit, I wasn't too excited about going. Usually, these meetings consist of a twenty-something chicky telling me, "Okay, like you guys like really need to like focus on like being positive, like okay????" The last time I went to one of these meetings, the young presenter used the word OKAY, 73 times! That was NOT okay.
But, today, I am actually taking away some positive information and will attempt to use it in the classroom tomorrow.
Two video clips were used, as examples, at the presentation. One was Clint Eastwood, the tough spaghetti western gunfighter and the other was Sheriff Andy's deputy, Barney Fife.
Now, before you call the cops to report Mrs. Kincaid for packing a Colt 45, reflect on this. While Barney was hyper, over bearing, and screechy, Clint was calm, cool, controlled and stated clear choices. Albeit, it was make the right choice or your dead, but the choices were clear.
That's what I want to do. Be calm, cool, in control, and give the kids clear choices.

Understanding God. You really make my day. I think about my blessings and rejoice. Your love surrounds me as I try follow your commandments. Help me to make the right choices as I deal with your children of all ages.

Will You Still Need Me?

Well , just like the Beatles song, it is for me ....."many years from now". Surely, not. I can't be that old. What's that quote..... age is "truly just a number"? But this birthday, it happens to be a pretty big number. Historical.
Seven of my fellow high school classmates have emailed to wish me a very happy #46! Hysterical.
Reflection isn't my forte. I hate crying over spilled milk. I try to force myself to look forward.
The best is yet to be. Aging sure beats the alternative.
Yesterday, we spent the afternoon, not with "Vera, Chuck and Dave" but with Linnea and Leo. They are mobile now and chewing on everything in sight....even the granddogs! It was really fun.
Grandchildren are one of God's greatest gifts.

Gracious and giving Lord. We thank you for life itself and all of the things that it hands us. Help us to remember that through you, all things are possible. You are good all the time.

Labor Day Lament

I didn't labor much today. Well, I cooked some eggs, loaded the dishwasher and dusted the piano, but that was about it. I like the idea of naming a holiday about something that you don't do on that day.
After all, on Christmas we celebrate the birth of Christ. On Memorial Day, we honor the deceased and decorate graves. Independence Day is for celebrating the Fourth of July, 1776. But, on Labor Day, we don't labor.
The concept of Labor Day is unique and quite refreshing, but perhaps we could tweak it a little. I'm going to propose a couple more of these NON-traditional holidays.
How about Politician's Day? That will be the day that no candidate will run an ad or "misspeak" about anyone or anything. The newspapers just wouldn't report on anything political.
Then we could celebrate a Healthy Foods Day. Candy, fried foods, red meat, sugar, chocolate and white bread would be the menu for the day. Oh, and of course we won't be counting calories or cholesterol on Healthy Foods Day
My personal favorite NON-traditional holiday would be Housework Day. On that day, there would be no cooking, no ironing, no dusting, no vacuuming, or yard work. Hooray for Housework Day!

Lord. We are thankful for every day that you have given us. Our blessings are many and our burdens are few.

Et tu, Milano.

You CAN teach an old dog new tricks. This puppy has just recently learned how to "PUNCH" her very first Time Clock and I've also learned to electronically approve my very own time card.
Now, every morning, when I show up at a school, I sign in on paper (my duty for the past 20 years or so) and then find the school's Time Clock. These Time Clocks are at least "3 G" or maybe even "4 G". Very Hi Tech. We were all required to take a class on how to work the clock properly.
First, I key in my secret code. Then I insert my right index finger into the machine and it reads my fingerprint. Only then can I go to work. The same process is repeated as I leave the building.
When the machine registers my fingerprint, it gives me a score. I am assuming that a perfect score is 100, although my highest has been only 82. That must be passing? I've failed only once, so far, and when that happens the clock instructs you to insert your left index finger.
The time card approval is another process. Since we are just in the third week of school, for the 2010-2011 school year, I've only done it twice. It's harder to explain and I'm not sure I actually know what I'm doing or if I could do it again.

What's the point of this recital? Well, I'm a grandma and I'm still learning new things. I may be a little fuzzy, right now, on the process, but I'm willing to learn. Isn't that great!

Gracious God, Thank you for giving me new challenges. Each new obstacle and new experience makes me grow. It's your version of tough love. Yes, I can do it. But it takes your help and guidance. Lead me Lord. Show me YOUR way.

"You say neether and I say niither."

Controversy seems to have taken over the media. Are you, or are you not, in favor of a Mosque at Ground Zero? How do you feel about the new proposed skyscraper
(eight stories IS a skyscraper in Kansas City)on the Country Club Plaza? Should the Chiefs axe yet another losing coach? How about that Athletic Director Perkins at KU? Should he be fired? Should Fred Phelps be allowed to picket funerals of our Service Men and Women?
I have opinions on all of these subjects. I think I am a pretty passionate individual and I like to voice my opinion. God gave each of us a mind and free will, and like John Wesley, I think reason should play a part in creating our beliefs and making our decisions.
I do not believe in being luke warm.
Do I stick my foot in my mouth? Well, yes I sometimes do. Do I often sound like an idiot? Yep, that happens, too. Are there times when I need to do a bit more research on a subject, before I spout off? You betcha. Am I always right? Well, not all the time.
But, nobody can say I don't care.


Hey, God. Things are a mess down here. We can't seem to get much of anything right.
We need your help. Please, bring a sense of calm and reason to our chaotic lives.
Allow us to find common ground and bring us to a peaceable kingdom. Help us to love and respect one another.

"Call Me MISTER Tibbs"

Are you a professional? Well, I've had a few experiences lately that have made me wonder about the quality of workers in this nation of ours.
What ever happened to pride in personal appearance? I see teachers and other professionals in tee shirts and ragged jeans, or pants that REALLY need hemming. Now,I know that a teacher doesn't make much money, but I do know that needles and thread are pretty darn(get it????)cheap.
Oh, and has Walmart stopped selling irons and mirrors? The wrinkled look may be in, but I sleep in less wrinkled clothes than what I'm seeing in the classroom these days. Do you teachers have to look like you just woke up, crawled to your car and drove to school?
Come on American Educators. The youth of today deserve better role models than what we are giving them. Casual doesn't mean crummy and dirty. No wonder "respect" is an issue in today's schools.
I expect students to call me, Mrs Kincaid. I am a professional and I always show up looking like one. And, you know what, I get respect.

Powerful God...You cared enough about us to send your very best. We should do our best with what you have given us. Pride in who we are, is not a bad thing. Be with us as we go about our daily lives. Help us to do our best in all that we do.

To read more of my rantings, this week, visit the www.kansascity.com website on Saturday August 21, for my article on the OPED page. Midwest Voices.