One Boy's Struggle

"ADD is an explanation for the way my mind works, but using it or thinking of it as an excuse is not helpful. Taking responsibility for who I am is infinitely more beneficial for me than sulking and feeling sorry for myself."

Bryan L. Hutchinson

One Boy's Struggle- A Memoir

     There is a recurring question that gnaws at me- "Are you paying attention?!?"  The question first came from my parents, pre-classroom confinement, remained a staple throughout my K-12 experience and persists to this present day. For decades now, I am the one asking the question. I am a teacher. I wish I had read Bryan Hutchinson's book before my first roomful of students stared back at me. In Bryan's words, 

"This book is an endeavor to help others understand the disorders called Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)." 

In reality, One Boy's Struggle is much more- the book provides an opportunity to hear Bryan's struggle in his own words. Anyone who struggles with feeling different can relate to Bryan when he writes:

"For a very long time I hated the way I was and wished I could be someone else: a good kid, who did exactly what he was told to do. I couldn't change no matter how desperately I tried."

Bryan tells his story is a manner that is painfully honest. As I read I remembered my own childhood teachers and, for the most part, they are not fond memories.  I can relate to this thought from Bryan-

"I felt that none of the teachers understood me, because they were too busy trying to teach me in a way that was right for them, but impossible for me."

I now know that the true teacher teaches people, not subjects.

One Boy's Struggle is the success story of Bryan Hutchinson, a misunderstood kid who overcame tremendous obstacles with the help of friends and doctors and should be read by everyone considering the field of education. 

Thomas Edison said, "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."

Thank you Bryan for not giving up.

the Visitor

Remember to welcome strangers,

because some who have done this have welcomed

angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:2

NCV

      You never know when a memory might show up. Friday, in the middle of a lecture, I remembered something from my childhood. It was a Sunday night church service. I was bored. The pew was hard. My Mom wouldn't let me sleep. I was a kid who didn't want to be in church on Sunday night. I was missing the Wonderful World of Disney. 

     Then it happened. The sanctuary doors burst open with a bang, swinging into the doorframe like saloon doors on a Saturday night. And in staggered a homeless man. Disoriented and disheveled, he looked around the room as the preacher and congregation stared back. 'Finally,' I thought. 'Something interesting!'

     Time seemed to stop as the man made his way down the aisle. He plopped onto the front pew with a thud. The real sermon was about to begin. The preacher looked at his Bible and resumed. A few sentences later, the visitor shouted, "Amen, brother!" I think I heard someone gasp. Only the preacher was supposed to speak during the sermon- everybody knew that rule... everyone except Mr. Bartee, of course. He was our official 'AMENer, but tonight even Mr. Bartee was silent. The preacher glared. Again, he looked at his Bible and again, after a few sentences, the visitor shouted, "AMEN!" This time the preacher pointed his finger at the man and said, "I'm preaching this sermon. You listen!"

     It wasn't long until two men escorted the visitor from the church.

     I don't remember the sermon the preacher intended that night but I do remember the message I received. 

     And, I remember being sad to see the visitor leave.

When I consider...

Stardust from PostPanic on Vimeo.

1 O Lord, our Lord,How majestic is Your name in all the earth,Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!2 From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strengthBecause of Your adversaries,To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,The moon and the stars, which You have ordained ;4 What is man that You take thought of him,And the son of man that You care for him?5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God ,And You crown him with glory and majesty!6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;You have put all things under his feet,7 All sheep and oxen,And also the beasts of the field,8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Lord,How majestic is Your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8

A Year With G.K. Chesterton

"Since Christianity broke the heart of the world and mended it, one cannot really be a pagan;
one can only be an anti-Christian."

G.K. Chesterton


To 'sum up' G.K. Chesterton in one volume is akin to eating an elephant, and Kevin Belmonte has done an admirable job of providing the reader with bite-sized pieces. A Year With G.K. Chesterton is just that- a daily scripture verse, an appropriate quote, a passage from an article or book and a factoid from the day in history. Whether you are new to Chesterton or have read his every word, this book is an excellent way to begin or end any day (I tend to save my daily reading for bedtime). 

I highly recommend this book!


Factoid
GKC IN THE NEW YORK TIMES (1921)

At the opening of a lecture Chesterton gave on January 23 at the Times Square Theatre in New York City, he was introduced as "the Prince of Paradoxes."

snowsound

through my window

i see

the sound of snow

it is in contrast

to friday-

two days passed now

like satin

embracing burlap

could this be selah?

this surprise of silence...

the sight of

snowsound

satisfies my soul...

and the Spirit whispers,

"Peace, be still."

More or Less

"Just when I think I have a handle on what is enough in my life, I am confronted by new ways to ask the question. There's a continuous line that we all must define and redefine at many different points in our lives."

Jeff Shinabarger

More or Less

     How much is enough?

     John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club, was part of an expedition funded by a wealthy businessman. A story is told that one night the campfire conversation turned to the subject of the expedition's patron. After a few of the men speculated the man's worth, John spoke up. "I've got more than he does."
     "How do you figure that?" asked one of the men. 
     "I have all I want. He doesn't."

     More or Less by Jeff Shinabarger is one of those books that convicted me on one page, while offering a practical solution on the next; it goes beyond the usual question- How much is enough money? More or Less asks- How much is enough food, clothing, transportation... enough time? 

     Shinabarger writes:

     "There was a time, not so long ago, when the polite answer to the question, "How are you?" was, "Fine." It seems that busy is the new fine."

     "...we now determine the significance of a person by how busy they are. Somehow, busy has become better than fine."

Jeff Shinabarger's solution to an ever-busy world?

Presence.

     "Presence is a physical expression of love in the midst of a culture that never stops- it is to stop and be with someone that matters."

You will have to read the book for a beautifully simple way to practice presence with others in your home.

     America is fat with excess and slim with generosity. Graham Cooke posed this question- "Do you want to be known as a careful person or a generous person?"

More or Less is scheduled to be released March 1. Thanks to the good folks at Story Cartel I was blessed with an advance copy. If you want to challenge your lifestyle paradigm, read More or Less by Jeff Shinabarger. I am glad I did. 

A Blessing

Samuel Carter

Leading a discussion on his recent paintings

     It is a beautiful thing when a son blesses his father. 

And I am blessed indeed. 

As my son Samuel becomes a man he continues to bless me with his insight and generosity. Not a day passes without him telling me about a song he has heard (and then play it for me) or sharing something he has read.  Recently he decided to sponsor a child in a foreign country, even though he is currently unemployed. Before I could ask how he would provide the support he said, "I plan to sell my plasma until I get a job."

     Last week I was privileged to hear Samuel speak before a group of artists. At one point, as Samuel answered a question from the floor, my friend Susan looked at me wide-eyed and said, "He sounded just like you when he said that!"

Yes, I am blessed.

Here are a few of Samuel's paintings.

May they bless you.

I praise God for sharing you with me, Samuel.

You are a blessing.

May the Lord continue to sanctify your imagination

and bless the work of your hands.