Parables

 I am Christian. I am not very good about sharing the gospel (even though I served a mission for my church) and I have a hard time going to church on Sundays. Some this is choice. Some of it anxiety that is only associated with church. But that is a story for another time. 

Over the past couple of years, I have been thinking of the parables of Jesus. Two that stick out, and I have thought about differently, are the Parables of the Talents, and The Unmerciful Servant. 

The 2nd parable, the unmerciful servant, is one that I have thought about a lot. I am a teacher. I teach English in S. Korea to kindergarten age kids. I realized one day that God has so much patience with me. Unfailing, continual, patience with me and my mistakes and I need to extend that patience to those around me. Especially to my students. And at that moment I realized that the parables are not just limited to the words that are used. 

Which brings me to the parable of the talents. To one is given 10, to another is given 5, and to the last is given 1. We tend to use this very literally with our modern language. Talents were money, not skills or abilities that we are born with. I realized as I dreamed for more than being a teacher that, in this season, I have been given 1 talent. A small group of small children. But it is mine. I do not need to be reaching the masses (at this time). I don't need to serving the poor and needy (I donate to charities because that is what I can do, and I am not called to physically be there to serve). I am called to help these big spirits in little bodies (hopefully) build a foundation of self worth and abilities that will guide them for the rest of their lives. 

I have also had the feeling to be big. I have been given a lot of talents. I need to use them and refine them and stop putting them on the shelf. I am trying to balance these two truths in my heart and head. It is possible that 2 things, mutually exclusive, can be true at the same time. 

So, here is to the end of one year and a start to a new one. Small steps lead to great journeys. 

 

Tibbits

 I think I am funny. As this is subjective and falls under the category "opinion" I am get to hold onto my truth as I see it. 

While I understand I am not for everyone, and my sense of humor can lean towards the absurd and/or macarbe, I like this about myself. And as someone who deals with a LOT of self doubt and hatred, I will take a like when I can. 

One of my dreams is to be prolific published author. But that requires me to actually WRITE. And that requires WORK and a sense of self worth. I am striving to overcome my aversion to working and trying to get over myself enough to put words down. Unitl those days come in greater frequency, I will still think I am funny and thus try to capture funny thoughts and bits of conversation I have in my head for future use. In my email I have a draft that I add to whenever I think of something funny or thought provoking for future use. 

Since that future may be a long time coming, I am putting a few here. Some are funny. Some are thoughts I had that I didn't want to lose. 

*I made the mistake of checking rail prices on railninja and now I'm being haunted by them

*I would say don't do anything I wouldn't, but that list is skewed in all the wrong directions. 

*Stop skipping leg day. You could be taken down by a well placed chihuahua.

*Give the gun to her. 

Ooo! I get a gun? Why? Because I'm an American? Gimme gimme gimme!

Do you even know how to use a gun? 

Nope. I'm not from Texas. 

I thought you were from Florida. 

I am. But that is a whole 'nother batch of crazy. 

Don't give her the gun. 

*Well, there are plenty of fish in the sea. 

What if I'm a starfish?

What?

What if I'm a starfish? I'm not a regular fish, swimming around. I'm a starfish stuck to the bottom of the ocean. And starfish aren't actual fish! They are fake fish according to the shark from that one hopscotch video.

(Insults Below. Because I always want at least 1 sassy character who doesn't hold back)

*You are a fart on an airplane. 

*Thought of the day: I cannot call a student a constipated ghost no matter how much he sounds like one. 

*Please go try breathing underwater for a bit. 

And last, but one of my ultimate favorites: 

*I could paper the walls with the mistakes I have made. Monotone and monotonous because they haven't changed. 

I hope you have enjoyed. And remember: it doesn't have to be pretty. It just has to make you happy.