By Doris Schroeder
As I turned the page of the calendar to a new month, I again realize how time is fleeting faster and faster and I need to make good use of the time I have. In other words, after I have set my priorities, make each moment count. Does that mean life will always revolve around things as I plan them? Of course not, since I have accepted Christ into my life, I am under His guidance. That certainly doesn’t mean I have all the say-so, but I can trust Him to work things out according to His will.
For instance, last Saturday was our 6th District Kansas Author’s Club writer’s meeting. I have been part of that for many years and always look forward to it. We are excited to have a new president and were hoping for a large group, only to have seven attend since many were sick. You know what? It was one of the best times! Our speaker, a teacher from Great Bend, shared how she had taught English for many years and had been told by successful students in later life how they had appreciated her strictness in class and that has helped them become what they were now.
That reminded me of one of my best teachers at Buhler High. She had a knack for sending the wastebasket down the aisle to the one that was chewing gum in class and at every reunion that was mentioned. She even mentioned it to me one time in latter years. “Is that all they remember about me?” “Of course not!” I replied, “but that helped endear them to you because they knew you cared enough to do that.”
She did care enough to read different phases of literature to us in class. Whenever I think of her, I can hear her expressive voice reading about the ocean waves on board ship or hear Edger Allen Poe and the raven. As I looked out the BHS open window, at the farm field in the distance, I could envision all that she was telling us and added to my love of writing.
A father and son attended our meeting and they, too, are something to behold. The son is majoring in music at State College and he is truly an example of a well-brought up young man. In visiting, the father said he tried to never tell his children anything that is not true… a real concept in today’s world and one that resonates in trust.
The new 6th District president had told me about all the occupations he had enjoyed in his life…from a law officer, to working for a newspaper, so he has seen life from many perspectives. Now he is retired and wants to write. I am looking forward to our future meeting on the last Saturday of April. We always love to meet other people, young or old, who are interested in writing so we can encourage each other.
On Monday, John took me to the clinic for a stress test and then we decided to check out the new Chick-fil-A near the Mall. Of course, we enjoyed the chicken sandwiches. John asked the young waiter for refills, which he smilingly brought and visited with us at our table. He had attended Buhler high as we did many years ago so we had a lot to talk about. I have a feeling they will be seeing a lot of us in the time to come. The Christian atmosphere makes it seem like a little bit of heaven.
Valentine’s Day is just next week and it is time to think about real love.
We already know what love does and that God is love, so what do the books say about it? Scientists know only what love does. Love, properly applied, could actually empty our prisons, mental institutions, It is the crux of psychiatric treatment. If real love is used in every way, there is never a problem because real love takes care of everything.
Knowing that, we can enjoy our life in everyway. If we do everything in love, we will love our life. Problems will never seem insurmountable if we have love the way God wants to give it to us. It would help our country, our government. Think what it could do for the United States of America!
It is in loving, not in being loved, the heart is blessed: It is in giving, not in seeking gifts, we find our quest: Whatever be your longing or your need, that give;
So shall your soul be fed, and you indeed shall live.
Doris likes to hear about your experiences at [email protected]
