No Accident

A friend of mine recently posted the following quote:

I really started thinking about that as oftentimes and more so recently, I have questioned whether I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. Interestingly enough, I have been working with at risk high school students, trying to help them improve their reading skills.  Now, the "at risk" would be enough, but then you bring in the reading, and sometimes that spells "disaster".  Many of them are "at risk" because of their reading and writing abilities, and many of them for other reasons.  I have questioned myself as to whether I can make a difference and if I have made a difference.  As my time working with this particular group of students and staff comes to an end, I still have questions about how I ended up there.  It's not a place I probably would have chosen earlier in my career.  But, the job was there staring me in the face, and I took a chance.

I have grown to love those students (even on their worst days) and while I will never know what my real purpose was for spending two years of my life there, I know it was not an accident.  I believe that God always has a reason and purpose for placing us where he does..

So, as my time comes to an end over the next two months, I've decided not to any longer question as to whether or not I made a difference or why I ended up there, but just to be grateful for the people whose paths have crossed mine.

It's Just Three Little Words

"I love you."  It's just three little words with a powerful impact.  So, why is it that we find it so hard to tell those we love, "I love you."?  I recently read a post on a friend's blog where she said something along the lines of, "We hung up after exchanging an I love you," and as a side note - something we seldom said to one another.  Thinking of the struggle I've had with this in my life, it struck a chord.

I grew up in a family where I rarely heard those words.  Did I know I was loved?  Yes, I did.  My mom and dad adored me, and it was obvious.  They showed me often that they loved me, but those words were never spoken.  I never heard my dad tell my mother that he loved her, and I never heard my mother tell my dad that she loved him.  Did they know they were loved?  Yes.  Did we know they were loved?  Yes.

Do actions speak louder than words?  Oftentimes I would agree. But, it's so important to hear that.  Suddenly, after my mom died, I never left my dad or hung up the phone from talking to him that he didn't say, "I love you," and I replied back with, "I love you too."  While it was awkward at first, I began to realize the importance of those three little words and how powerful they are.  There's something about being told that you are loved that makes everything seem right with the world.

I did a little research about saying I love you...I found an article (http://www.oprah.com/relationships/Saying-I-Love-You) that says it's important because the person you're saying it to needs to hear it.  In this article Rabbi Schmuley says to say it over and over until it's comfortable saying it and the habit becomes second nature.  Habit?  Saying "I love you" is a habit?  I think so.

I still struggle with those three little words but I am getting better at it.   I do think it's important to let the people you love know that you love them.  I also think it's easier for some people to say it than others.  I certainly miss those phone calls with my dad and hearing him tell me that he loves me and being able to tell him that I love him too.  One day it becomes too late to let the people know you do love them.  Make it your habit.  I'll leave you with this quote by Maya Angelo, "I don't trust people who don't love themselves and tell me, 'I love you.'"

http://www.oprah.com/relationships/Saying-I-Love-You