Making a Difference

A few weeks ago after I had picked Nick up from practice we had a brief conversation that lingered in my mind for many days.

Nick began his conversation by saying, “Mom, I don’t know if I want to go to River Valley next year.” This immediately shocked me because from the moment ground was broken for this new high school he had his mind set on going there. There was a time that I wanted him to go to a smaller high school but even I have adjusted to my son being a Falcon next year.

I asked him why all of a sudden he was having doubts.

Nick doesn’t share a lot of things with me. Part of me wants him to, and a bigger part of me remembers what it was like being his age and the last person I really wanted to confide in was a parent. So I’m ok with him not pouring his heart out to me every second of the day. I try not to pry and hope that if it’s not me he chooses to talk to that he has someone else.

This particular night he allowed me the opportunity to share in what was troubling him…for a little while. Then he remembered that it was his mom that he was talking to and ended the conversation just as quickly as it had begun.

From what I gathered, he was disheartened in hearing his peers talking negatively about someone and he realized that he didn’t want to attend a school where kids/friends did that to others. Sadly, that’s a very inevitable season of “growing up” and it won’t matter if you attend a school of 300 or 3000. Hazing, backstabbing, mockery, lying…all seem to be the price you pay to become “popular” in a teenage society.

Thankfully, I have a boy with a big heart. I have a son who knows the difference between right and wrong. A child who is troubled when he recognizes how evil some people can be.

As I thought about this conversation there was one thing in particular that stayed with me. God had placed something on my heart and I was compelled to share it with Nick.

A week had passed and as Nick was getting his football gear ready for practice I told him I wanted to share something with him in regards to the situation.

“Nick, I know that you may not feel like you want to go to River Valley anymore and I understand. But one thing that I would really like you to think about is that maybe God wants you there so you can stick up for those kids. It’s not an easy thing to do, and surely isn’t the “popular” thing to do, but you might be the only one who cares enough to take a stand.”

As I spoke those words to him I began to tear up. Not just because I was having this conversation with my own child, but as I spoke those words to him I thought about the people in my own life.

How am I extending kindness to those around me? How can I reach out to extend compassion on a complete stranger? What am I doing for “the least of these?”

Everyone is placed in our lives for a reason. Do we look for that reason or do we let the moments slip by and assume someone else will meet their need? Sometimes we are only given one chance to make a difference.

What we might think is a small gesture of kindness could end up meaning the world to someone else.

My Journey on a New Road

I have been driving the same stretch of highway to work for the past 8-1/2 years. Five days a week and there are days I think I could make the drive blindfolded. Knowing that would not be the most intelligent thing to do, don’t worry I won’t.

This morning as I was on the county road getting close to merging onto the highway, I noticed extremely bright lights up ahead. At 6:15 am it’s still pretty dark, so as I saw these lights I assumed something major was going on.

There were road construction signs on the shoulder, indicating a one lane road ahead. Could it be? They have been working on a new four lane along this stretch of Highway 99 for the past few years. As I approached a man holding a sign, waving me to the other side of the road I actually became a little excited.

…Until I got to the newly operating stop light at the intersection…

I almost began to panic. I knew that I needed to go south because that was the way to Sacramento, but why were there cars on the opposite side of me. Where were they coming from? Where does that road lead?

It was dark. There was the inability to see exactly where I was going. The road was extremely unfamiliar to me as opposed to the road I was accustomed to drive on. I wasn’t sure if I was excited anymore. Actually, it was starting to freak me out a little.

Trying to gather my bearings and figure out where I was only confused me more.

However, after a few moments on this new road I began to enjoy the ride. And once the new road merged with the old and I knew exactly where I was, I uttered the word, “huh” to myself in the car.

The brief time I was traveling on that section of road, all I could think about was this past week…

I encountered a new set of emotions within me. At 37 years old, one would think that they have experienced every emotion humanly possible. Ha!

As I try to sort through this new feeling, the journey to work this morning reminded me that it’s ok to venture down a new road. And that while the road is somewhat dark and unfamiliar, all I have to do is trust that it will lead me where I’m supposed to go.

A new road is smooth. Flawless. So why does it frighten me so? Somehow panic and doubt seem to rob us from merely being able to enjoy the excitement of a new journey...

Driving home this afternoon I know I will see things differently. And I know that as the days go by, the same will be true in my life as well.

The Time In Between

A few of the things I love include having the opportunities to see the sun rise as well as the sun set…

A sunrise indicates that a new day is upon us. A fresh start. New beginnings.

A sunset indicates that another day has passed. A time to reflect upon the events of the day. The ending of whatever chapter we may have encountered throughout those 10 or so hours of daylight.

And then there are those seconds that tick away in between…

How do we spend those moments? Do we live with gratitude or do we allow the dark situations all around and within us to consume our time? Do we ponder the beauty of this thing called life and count our many blessings or do we shut the rest of the world out and sulk in the misery of situations gone wrong? When we look at the landscapes as they turn from vibrant colors of spring to the browns of winter do we view them as barren, dull, and boring or stop to contemplate the concept that in order for newness to come forth, there has to be a dying of the old?

I think about that last part a lot…

Not only as a person who loves to spend time outdoors but as someone who looks at her own life, where she’s been and what’s in store for her life.

Saturday was definitely a day like no other. Every possible emotion that could be felt and seen, was.

Between games my dad, my son, my nephew and myself took a little break from the football stadium and ventured on a little drive. It was a much needed and very enjoyable distraction from the grip of reality that had been holding us all so tight.

For two hours my mind was clear and my perception changed. Strange how being outdoors can do that to a person. I feel very fortunate that I am the type of person who can let everything go and find that sense of peace.

Aside from having the opportunity to see these things on our drive, I was struck by a pretty emotional moment later on at the football field as well.

It happened within minutes of the final buzzer of the game just before Nick’s. One of the best players on River Valley’s team had taken a hit and was motionless on the field. After a moment, he was on his feet and limping to the sidelines, hand across his stomach, hunched over in pain. Crying. His dad is a coach on that team and as they made their way to the sidelines the two of them stood together. The boy’s head on his father’s shoulder, his dad gently stroking his son’s head as if to comfort. The boy’s body was shuddering through the sobs. I don’t know exactly what happened, but an assumption was this 12 year old had the wind knocked out of him.

The buzzer sounded. The boys lined up to cross the field and shake hands with their opponents. All of them but Dante. All of a sudden, this mass of kids in red surrounded him. They patted his shoulder, rubbed his head, shook his hand, and gave him hugs. It was absolutely, utterly amazing. While he may have had the wind knocked out of him, that moment literally took my breath away. A random…very meaningful act of kindness. Maybe not for the people in the bleachers sitting around me and maybe not for the other 40 or so players on the field. But that moment truly spoke volumes to me.

When life knocks the wind out of us…and it will, there’s comfort. If we seek it. When bad things happen…and they do, there’s hope. If we look for it. Always.

Just as the grass fades from bright green to brown through a season. A new season is just around the corner…

Don’t miss the beauty during the time in between.