He's just a coach...

This is a repeat of a blog I wrote years ago, but today I ran into an amazing "Coach" that a lot of people may have never heard of. He's a coach for thousands of students and teachers and if you've never heard of Move To Learn, you need to check it out! I wanted to republish in honor of Coach Calhoun. Thank you for inspiring this old teacher again.

I'd like to dedicate this blog to some of the greatest people I know. They are called coaches.

In the field of education, sometimes coaches get a bad rap. They are sometimes seen as lesser teachers, but I've got to give a shout out to some of the greatest teachers I know, and they go by the name "Coach".

This topic of "coaches" came up in a conversation just yesterday and I heard it put as well as I've ever heard it done. How many other people do we call by their job? Oh, there is Mr. President and Dr. So and So, but no one refers to me as Teacher Sumrall. You don't hear someone shout out, "Hey Secretary" or "Hi Engineer," but go out just about anywhere in town and when a young person (or one who at least ONCE was young) sees their coach, it's "Hey Coach!" It's a title of honor.

Think about it. Few other people have the impact on a young person's life as does their "coach." While they may have a lot of great teachers through the years, many will have one coach who imparts into their lives for 2, 3, 4, even 5 or more years. I know of at least one coach who mentored my son for 4 years, beginning in Jr. High when my son didn't really even know how to tackle. That young man helped develop my son's talent and looked out for him, always steering my boy in the way he should go...even when he wasn't listening to his mom! Thank you, Coach.

We even chose our current school location based on a coach. (That might sound strange coming from a teacher.) I asked around and discovered that while a lot of area coaches were great men, but one coach was described in this way. "Now Coach Wheat, that man builds character in his boys." No more had to be said. I know that football is just a game, but I also know that lessons learned out there on the field can be so much more if used correctly. My son isn't just learning plays, he's learning how to look out for others and be a man of character. 

My daughter had a coach for the short time she played basketball in Jr. High and she still refers to her as "Coach." I daresay Coach Missy had no idea the impact she made in my girl's life, but recently I saw a bunch of her former "players" coming together to honor her for being their coach in high school. Every young woman a stronger and better person (and player) thanks to her leadership.

There have been so many over the years who have poured into the lives of my children. Coach Langham had a way of making my daughter believe she could do anything (and was able to put up with her sarcastic wit like few others.) He also coached my son and gave advice that we still use today.

There are so many on the team of coaches that help mentor my son. Coach Bryant has the "joy" of not only teaching Jr. High but also serving as basketball coach and track coach, traveling miles and miles just to watch our kids run miles and miles. He uses all that time to offer guidance on life, respect, and honor along with the regular coaching duties. (As a mom, I appreciate this SO much!)

I had a "coach" in my own life as well. I wasn't very athletic, but when I was in high school, we had a coach who was in charge of FCA. I listened to his guidance over the years and his words shaped me more than he could have ever known. I still think about some of the lessons he taught and it has been almost 40 years since I sat in those lunchtime meetings.

Then there is my more recent "coach"...Coach Becky. How can someone look at a 48-year-old teacher coming out of the school at the end of the day and see potential? Or maybe it was just pity. Either way, I am so thankful that on that afternoon years ago she invited me to join them for a training run at the track. She has helped so many of us see ourselves as more than what we are to what we might be.

So the next time you catch someone saying, "He's just a coach," remember that they are so much more. These individuals are making a difference that few others do. They see our children (and us) at their best and at their worst, and they inspire these kids to work as a TEAM, something our country could use more of.

I am so thankful for these men and women that give time away from their own families to pour life and character into mine. You make a difference. 

If you have been blessed by a coach, feel free to share this post and "tag" them. I know I will.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Photo by Jeffrey F Lin on Unsplash

Seeing things in a different way...

Ever hear something that makes you look at things in a totally different way? That happened this morning.

I was happily going my merry way - okay, I was begrudgingly getting dressed on the last day of my Spring Break, when I started hearing things about the word correction. Now, I will be the first to admit that I am someone who does NOT like correction. It's not that I think I'm perfect, but no one likes to think they are downright wrong. That's when the random thoughts started turning.

It started with me thinking about all the times I had corrected students' work. I would literally spend hours and hours pouring over essays, writing comments, writing questions, writing encouragement - all in an effort to make the writers' work better. Not saying they were wrong, but really trying to help them be clear with their ideas. I would have a few that would read the things I had written and come to me to work on their writing. Those were the precious few...more often I would encounter - "So what is my grade?" or even worse, those that would argue with me as if I had no right to think their writing was anything other than perfect. (Have you ever read a 6th grader's writing - it almost always has potential, but it is rarely perfect.) After a while, I grew weary of trying only to be met with indifference or worse, defiance. I guess when it comes to writing, it's difficult to see correction as an attempt to make things better.

I never had that problem when it came to running. I was blessed to have a coach who saw in me something I could not and worked to bring it out. She would watch my running style and see what I was doing that was keeping me from becoming the runner she believed I could be. She would correct my posture, even my speed when I would try to go too fast, knowing I would burn myself out before I reached my potential. For some reason, I didn't see correction as a bad thing then. She was always right - able to see what I could not and using the experience I did not have.

My thoughts then moved to my son when he first started playing football. The first time he tried to tackle another player, he quickly learned that he needed to improve. He was given the directive to tackle a boy we later called, "the bowling ball with legs" and immediately bounced back from the would-be tackle onto his rear. He needed correction/instruction on his form. Thankfully he listened (being knocked back onto your rear has a way of doing that,) and he became quite the force to be reckoned with on the football field. Rarely did he try a tackle that didn't stop the opponent in his tracks and rarely was he successfully brought down by fewer than 3 or 4 players working together. Thinking about his personality now, I realize how thankful I am that God placed people in his life that he will listen to...because like most young men, he's almost always certain that he is right.

All these thoughts came together to help me see that I've been thinking of correction incorrectly all these years. (Yes, I see that wordplay.) Correction is not simply showing you where you wrong, but it is showing you how you can be better. It is not harsh, it is in fact loving. The Bible even says that. 

Hebrews 12 puts it this way, "My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline,

    but don’t be crushed by it either.
It’s the child he loves that he disciplines;
    the child he embraces, he also corrects.

God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God?"

In Proverbs 15 it's put this way, 

"Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise."

Finally, in searching for a picture for today's post, I found the one with the glasses. Hmmm, I wear "corrective lenses" - specifically to help me see far away. I don't think of them as punishment, but rather as help. Without them, I wouldn't be able to do a lot of things I take for granted! Again, a positive "point of view" on "correction." 

Now, being the person I am, I have to admit these thoughts scare me. Usually, something like this is preparing me for what is to come. I don't know that I can say I look forward to it, but hopefully, I will be able to see it for what it is...the Lord isn't finished with me yet and He's working on making me better equipped for His purpose.

Just a few random thoughts on the last day of Spring Break...

Photo by Tim J on Unsplash

Let the Truth be told...

 It's 2:30 in the morning and I just woke up from a sound sleep. I've always heard that if that happens, God is waking you to pray.

To be honest, I didn't want to. My prayers lately feel weak and ineffective, but I started to pray anyway...for my kids, finances, my family, whatever came to mind. That's when a phrase started rolling around in my head. It's based on my one word/phrase for the year. Truth.

Seems like it's getting harder and harder to find truth in our world. Somewhere along the way, people believed the lie that TRUTH is relative - different for everyone. But if it's subjective, then how can it be Truth? I understand that everyone can have an experience that is true for them, but that's not the same as Truth with a capital T.

I won't make this long - I'm honestly hoping to go back to sleep, but I felt like I HAD to write this down...we'll see where it goes.

I know for the past year I have felt lied to and outside of my family and closest friends, have felt like I didn't know who to trust anymore. My government, the media, you know - those that seem to run things and often have the loudest voices. But it's time to start praying for the TRUTH to be told. It's time to embrace Truth and for that to happen, we have got to first let go of the lies. Our arms are full of them - lies we tell ourselves, lies we tell others, lies that run our lives. And it's time to say enough.

It's time to let go of all the lies and embrace, hold tight, to the truth.

How does that happen? I'm not sure...but I do know it begins with me. It begins with me being honest with myself and those around me. No little fibs as the kids call them - let's call them what they are. Lies - from the father of lies. They creep in quietly and set up root and before you know it, they try to crowd out the truth. They masquerade as Truth, but they are merely experiences or feelings - both of which can lie to us.

So...starting now, I'm letting go of the lies and I'm embracing Truth. I will do my best to make my words honest and true in every situation both to myself and others. I know I don't have to be harsh, in fact, I should speak the truth in love...that means with kindness, not judgment. I'm in no position to judge.

I'm not sure what this will look like, but I know it's right. And that is my middle of the night prayer that I am sharing.

Lord, 

Bring the Truth to the surface and help us embrace that which is True, Honest, and Just.

Philippians 4:8 KJV

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Amen...and good night.

P.S. In searching for a photo to use with this blog, I was struck by how many showed a Bible as a picture of Truth...thought I'd share...

Bible Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash

Truth Photo by Michael Carruth on Unsplash

Write that I...

It's that time of year. Time to clear out "stuff" that you've kept too long. Time to simplify. That's what I spent this afternoon doing. I found a couple of old notebooks that I'd written in - for now I'll focus on one. 

I had the privilege of attending the TOLI program for Holocaust Studies a few years ago and I found my notebook from that study. Inside were two poems - one personal and one written in response to a video of Irving Roth. It was an assignment that could be used in the classroom - but I'll share mine here. Why? Because I don't want them to stay inside that notebook and never be shared, especially the one written in response to Irving Roth's story.

Write that I...(personal poem - I think I was thinking of my kids when I wrote this)

When you write my story,

        write that I brought hope.

Write that I saw beauty in the dark places

        and that I helped you see it too.

Write that I wanted to see you walk with God

        in ways that I could only imagine.

That I believed in you and His purpose in you.

        Write that I trusted Him to guide you 

            because I knew I would fail - and yet still I tried.

Write that I loved you more than life.

Now for the one written in response to Irving Roth's story. He is a Holocaust survivor. (Here's a link to one version on Youtube - Irving Roth)

Write that I...

Write that I was a child - just a child.

I loved to run and play and life was good

        oh so good.

The whole world was my oyster - what could possibly go wrong?

        The Nazi's - that's what could go wrong.

Write that it started slowly - I don't think anyone saw -

        Didn't anyone see?

They took away our humanity.

At the park - Jews and dogs not allowed?

Don't go out at night - it's for my own safety?

Wear this star - so that all might know me.

        Don't you mean so that they might forget my name?

Write that they took my friends and left us to wonder where they had gone.

They forced us to run to safety - only no place was really safe.

Only a few would stand up for us - the rest just turned away.

        Turned us over.

            Turned and pretended it was not their concern.

After all - we were no more than animals with stars by now. 

        We didn't even have a name.

Write that I was found and taken away - like a dog to the pound.

My grandparents were "cared for" and taken to the showers, 

        but that meant I never saw them again.

The final blow - I am a number now. Do they expect me to forget my own name?

There is not hope - until...

One man - a prisoner like me - 

        brought thought back into our reach. 

The wires faded away and for a moment we were free.

Only a moment, for as far as I could see, the world has forgotten -

        gone blind to what anyone can see - lost its morality.

Write that I didn't believe in miracles anymore - 

        but thank God the miracles still hadn't given up on me.

Write that a few looked up to see

        and because of them, I lived to tell you

                look up and see.

One word for 2021

Every year I choose "one word" to focus on for the coming year. Resolutions are tricky. Once you've blown it with a resolution, it's over! But one word that serves as a focus for the year - well that's much more doable! It acts as a beacon in the storms of the year and helps guide you. It amazes me how accurate each word has been when I look back at the previous year. 

I find that I do best when I let the word "choose me." Somehow it's just a word that rolls around in my mind for days or weeks prior to the new year. I don't have to think much about it - it just keeps popping into my view as the new year approaches.

One year my word was "hope" - and that year hope was exactly what we needed when my husband's company abruptly closed its doors and he went 6 months looking for another job. Hope definitely carried us that year. 

One year my word was "move" and while I thought it meant I'd get back to running, that was the year I changed schools and started teaching at a small country school in the district that I really knew nothing about! So thankful for the blessings that came with that word.

This year my word was "good" - that's right. 2020's word was "good" and while it's easy to find all the ways it was NOT good, I believe that God is somehow still working it all out for our good. All of it. 

I will admit I'm ready for 2020 to be over. Most of the year has simply been a blur. I did learn some good things - like how to eat "keto" which has had a huge impact on helping me with diabetes management. I learned how to grow plants - not a lot of them, but for someone with a brown thumb, I was pretty happy about it. I learned a LOT about how to teach online and have even been able to tutor students after school thanks to zoom. 

Mostly I've learned to roll with whatever comes. We all have. I started to write about a lot of crazy things that have happened this year, but everyone could probably use their own lists...and how somehow it has all turned out for good. Really. Through it all, it's all been good.

This brings me to this year's word. At first, I thought I knew what it would be - "trust". Of course, with my history of what words mean, that word worried me a bit. Visions of trust freefalls came to mind! But as we get closer to saying goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021, another word keeps rolling in my mind - "truth".

Trust - "Firm belief in the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing; confidence or reliance. Okay, that sounds about right. I know that my trust is in God and I rely on Him.

Truth - Now that's a tricky one. It has become popular to say that everyone has their own "truth" but that is absolute poppycock! Everyone has their own experience, but that does not make it truth. How many times have we watched those shows that show what happened from each person's point of view and none of them is actually accurate? They experienced something, but perhaps it was not true to all that was going on. There is so much more.

Jesus describes himself as the way, the truth, and the life, and as such he is the only means to the Father. For Paul, truth is the message of God that all of humanity has repressed ( Rom 1:18 ) and exchanged ( 1:25 ) for a lie, in that they have directed their worship not to the Creator, but to the creation. Ultimately, "truth" is God and His Word. 

So perhaps this year, my one word is actually two. "Trust Truth." That's not that different from what I originally thought it would be since I knew that my trust must lie in God and what He says. But I have to wonder, how much richer and more defined will these words be by this time next year.

Goodbye, 2020. You have been tough, but somehow through it all God has brought good from you. Hello, 2021 - I trust that Truth will prevail!

What will your word for the coming year be?

Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash

We're different now...

2020 has affected us all in many ways - most that don't show on the outside. I know this now.

It has made us harder - or maybe more resilient - or maybe just more able to roll with the punches.

For example - this morning I slept late (6:30) and was awakened by the dog to be let out. Okay - no problem. I need to get up, have coffee, and do some cleaning before going to get groceries.

I'm halfway through my cup of coffee when I start to smell something - something not at all pleasant.

Long story short(ish), some time last night after we'd gone to bed, one of the dogs needed to go out but being the sweet pups that they are, they didn't wake us up. Instead, he/she found a corner and relieved themself...and also underneath the Christmas tree next to the chair they always sleep in.

Whatever they had eaten did NOT agree with them and left a runny, quickly hardening mess. THEN - one of them (the boy dog) evidently stepped in said "late-night gift" while getting down from the chair and proceeded to run around the house this morning. That was what I "smelled".

Thanks to 2020, all this did not even phase me.

I just started cleaning, and cleaning, and cleaning, and cleaning - did I mention he ran all over the house?

Now, I have a nice clean floor for the weekend and I'm fairly certain, thanks to my keen sense of smell, that I do not have covid.

On a side note: if my family HAPPENS to get me a new broom and mop for Christmas, I won't be offended.

2020 does that to a person.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

Photo by Ryan Franco on Unsplash

2020 can still be "good"

 

I've written before that my one word for 2020 was the word, "Good". While it seems that 2020 has been anything but good, I still believe that there is time to turn this year around.

At my school, a small little middle school in Mississippi, we have a service day planned for this coming week. In years past, we have sent students all around the city and surrounding community to give middle school students a taste of what it means to volunteer and help others. We've gone to nursing homes, places that serve the homeless, places that serve those in need - lots of places to help them see that they can make a difference in their world.

Of course, this year is different. Am I the only one tired of that word, 'different'?  This year we can't put students on cheese-wagons and take them around the surrounding areas to paint, sort, clean, etc. to help others. So our innovative administration is thinking outside the box and finding ways our kids can help others. Because it's in helping others that we find our own purpose, our own joy.

So, I'd like to invite you to join us in helping others. Maybe for you, it will be doing something like what I recently read about and you'll "pay it forward" by paying for the person in line behind you in McDonald's. Recently in a small town, customers at a McDonald's started sharing the love to the tune of over 900 people paying it forward! Can you begin to imagine the difference that made? Over 900 people changed the day of the person traveling behind them with a small act of kindness! 

As I shared that story with my students, I reminded them that THEY are in control of how 2020 ends. I'll admit that so far, 2020 has not been what I'd imagined and certainly not what I'd have called "good".  But there is still time to change all that. There is still time to make 2020 "good".

Our students have the opportunity to help out a place called Worthy Stables - a wonderful place that helps people with disabilities or people suffering from PTSD or those locked inside the trauma that would try to take their lives.

They have the chance to donate to Petal Children's Task Force and help kids, just like them who need food or help with school or a hundred other things.

They have the chance to help with Fieldhouse for the Homeless and help those who never imagined that one day they would live in a tent without a home or a job or the things so many of us take for granted.

They have the chance to brighten the day of those in nursing homes with cards and video concerts and small acts that let people there know they are not forgotten. 

They have a chance to make a difference in 2020.

And so do you. Maybe you'll dig into your purse and find some loose change to donate to the red kettle as you leave the store. Maybe you'll check out some of the charities I'll list below and make a donation. (One of my favorites is Worthy Stables!) Maybe you'll pay for the person behind you in the line at McDonald's. Maybe you'll find a way to make 2020 a lot less yuck and end it with a lot more hope. 

You make a difference. You really do. Don't' give up hope. 2020 can still be a year of "good".

Don't forget to check out some of the places that you can give this year and make a difference!

Worthy Stables

Petal Children's Task Force

Fieldhouse for the Homeless

Photo by Aziz Acharki on Unsplash