John 14:7
"If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree . . .
It is Parent-Teacher Conference Week. I always look forward to these one-on-one meetings with parents to discuss their child's progress and get to know them better.
I like discovering who lies behind straight-A Alice, struggling Sam, hyperactive Harry, chatty-chatty Charlotte, insolent Ian, shy Shirley, boisterous Barry, sweet, sweet Sue.
The conferences are booked for twenty minute intervals.
Within the first five minutes of interacting with the parents, I know . . .
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree . . .
"I always made good grades at school. Alice pushes herself to excel. We are so proud of her and make sure she knows it."
"Sam has never liked school. No surprise here. I never liked school, either."
"I have to admit, it's hard for me to sit still whether at home or at work. I guess Harry takes after me."
"Oh, yes, from the day Charlotte began talking, she hasn't stopped! Blah! Blah! Blah! All day long! Like I was telling my sister the other day, oh, did you know she has a child in this school, too? Nathan Smith. Did you teach him last year? I thought surely you did, oh, but, then again, sis never mentioned you. She would have mentioned you, you know; she talks about all Nathan's teachers and rarely likes any of them, so, I'm sure I would have heard about you before you taught Charlotte . . ."
Whew!
Ian, Shirley, Barry, and Sue?
I will leave them to your imagination.
Because, by now, I'm sure you see where this is going.
And, the apple's fall?
You know exactly where it lands . . .
~
Are you looking, really looking, at Jesus today, so you may know the Father?
Will you pray with me?
So often, Father, we don't see that Your Son, the apple of Your eye, leads us directly to You. We do want to know You. May we humble ourselves and listen to Jesus with our whole being. Help us learn to follow Him so that me might ever follow You. Amen.
Readings
Psalms 148, 150 or 91, 22
Isaiah 55:3-9
Colossians 3:1-17
John 14:6-14
nice. i used to love going to my kids' parent/teacher conferences! have fun ;-)
ReplyDeletethe other thing this post reminds me is that we are god's children and god is the creator -- that apple doesn't fall far from the tree either! we all are blessed with the creative potential we inherited from our father. we are all artists. xoxo
I'm sure parent teacher conferences are quite enlightening for the teacher! Great post, it gave me a lot to reflect on.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I'm sure I'd take on my mom...but I'm also sure I have an identity that is uniquely mine. The same goes with the Father. We belong to the same tree but the Spirit blows different charismas :) I pray with you...
ReplyDeleteWhenever I attend my kids parent teacher meanings, I hardly go beyond how they are faring in their academics. It saves a lot of time for the teacher and other parents too.
ReplyDeleteHi, Linda, Jessica, Melissa, and Janu! As always, thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDelete@Linda - Love your insight about all of us as God's children not falling far from His tree. Created in His image to be creative! :)
@Jessica - Yes, teachers do see things differently from the parents. Glad I could provide some insight.
@Melissa - Yes, we do grow from the same tree, but do have unique gifts. Thank goodness we are all individuals!
@Janu - It certainly does! My long conferences were always with parents whose kids were having some sort of difficulties. Yours must be doing great! :)
Blessings to you all and thanks again!
Martha, exactly! We are the apples of His eye because we’re created in His image. And now, the task is to be transformed into His likeness. Easier said than done, aye?
ReplyDeleteI do not remember my parents ever going to parent-teacher conferences. (I also ditto what Debra said!)
ReplyDeleteI've always enjoyed the parent teacher conferences for my boys... So much insight to be gained from hearing what they're like outside our home. And as they strive to please my wife and I by reaching to excel, so must we reach to the example our Heavenly Father provided for us as well.
ReplyDeleteHave a Blessed Day!