Right, God, I do need to be refocused.

I've been having a little bit of a rough couple of weeks. Things just keep piling on me. It's all at work, and only at work. As soon as I leave work, the life and happiness returns and I have drive again, but lately when Friday comes, I just want to go home and cry. I don't. After a really rough day, Hymie ask me how am I, and just let all unload. I go teach my class. I prep for tomorrow, and now what is one to do. There is a party at Bill's (a new teacher), and I've told Steve and Kathy (new teachers) I go with them. They don't get done until 5:30. I guess, I could go home and come back, but I don't. I sit down at my desk and grab Chronicles of the Cross by Max Lucado. I'm in the middle of And the Angels Were Silent. See God is trying to make a point and I want to share. People are powerful and they are important. They impact our lives and they have to power to build up and the power to demolish. However, you have the choose, do you let them. Those that build you up, do you let them build you? Those that demolish, do you let them? It is all on where you focus. Just try it.

Name the ten wealthiest men in the world. (I can't name one.)
Name the last ten Heisman trophy winners. (I don't even know what sport it goes with.)
Name the last ten winners of the Miss America contest. (The last time I watched Miss America I was 7 which was almost 20 years ago and I don't even remember who then.)
Name eight people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize. (Ummm.)
How about the last ten Academy Award winners for best picture. (Nothing is coming to mind.)
The last decade's worth of World Series winners. (Daddy, if you read this don't get mad, but I can't think of any, I know the Braves, Red Socks, Yankees are in there.)

Did you do any better than me? That would be hard. Now let's try the next set of question.

Think of three people you enjoy spending time with. (James, Mary Beth, Jackie Fry, Kerry, Jason, Cathy, Steven, Amber, the Turners, the Burns. I just went over three opps.)
Name ten people who taught you something worthwhile. ( Jackie Fry, Hilda, James, Angle, Jeff, my father, Richard (yes my old principal), Pamela, my second Kinder class, Mayla.)
Name five friends who have helped you in a difficult time. (Angle, Kerry, Ashlee, Sam, Jason and Amber)
List a few teachers who have aided your journey through school. (Mrs Boyer, Fenton, Rex, Emily, Corrie)
Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you. (Now, this is hard for me, I can't seem to remember any.)

Now, this is where Max and I differ on the lesson to be learned here. He says, "The people who make a difference are not the ones with the credentials, but the ones with the concern. " I've been focus on the people who are concerned. I have people in my life who are concerned for me and care about my well being. I also have people out there who don't care about me. I'm just another person, nobody special. I need to stop looking at these people, I need to stop focusing on them. I need to focus on those that love and care about me. So yes, Kelly, you can show me all the disrespect in the world. Yes Meriel, you can be mean to me and upset. I, however, don't care. I don't care because when I check my e-mail there will be something from James saying how he loves me, and is glad that we have each other, and even if there isn't anything from him, I've saved the e-mails. I will see Mary Beth, Amber, and Jason and they will make my heart happy. I will feel good around them. There will be word from Jackie, and Christie, and the other ladies at church about how they are glad I am here, and that they love me. If that isn't enough. I have letters from Tammy and Hilda filled with love. Yes, Kelly and Meriel, it doesn't really matter how you treat me. I'm not focusing on that anymore. I am focus on the ones that matter. Then ones God has sent me as love letter from Him. That is what you are to me, a love letter from God. I will read them over and over again, just like I do with the e-mails from James.