Today was the first day of school after a two week Easter holiday. I just came home and routine and planning are back to normal. I will to juggle everything including house chores again. Homework, chess practice, netball practice, art school and Kindermusik. And my own school work as well.
I can feel and see that we are in the early stages of Autumn. The air is dry and cool in the morning. At 04:45 when I had to wake up this morning it was still very dark, I am not looking forward to the winter. I am a summer person. But I am pleased to say that today was a surprisingly blessed day. When I read Bible this morning I tried Joyce’s advise and announced “this is the day the Lord has made and something good is going to happen today.” Usually after a holiday the children are quite disruptive and all the class rules are forgotten. So that is what I expected today. BUT my 34 Grade 2 children, with 7/8 different cultures and home languages whom I teach in English, was exceptionally well behaved and peaceful!!! WOW! Thank you God! I even had peace inside me this morning while driving to school.
I was greeted with hugs and love letters, so sweet! I think I have a case of Laryngitis so my voice is weak and on its way out. I also have a sore throat and I am coughing! I was healthy through the whole holiday now I am sick when school starts. I asked my class this morning they must help me because my voice is very soft and I cannot shout or to talk loud enough. They were so good, thank you Grade 2 R, you are a great class!
Yesterday after church we went for coffee at very good friends of ours. It was their youngest son’s second birthday. We had lots of fun and ended up staying for a Sunday lunch. After we ate the women and I went to make coffee. While we were standing in the kitchen she started talking about their marriage. “Things aren’t going so well”. She said and dropped the bomb on me, in such a way that I did not know what to say. I silently prayed that God must put the right words in my mouth. But her heart is as hard as stone. I don’t know why. The problems they have are just normal speed bumps every marriage goes through every now then. He does not give attention, he works too much etc. But she acts like her husband has done something awful. “why must the wives always take the first step towards a better marriage?” She asked me. She said she is cold towards him and he must get her heart soft if he really wants her. He is a financial advisor so he is on meetings with clients in the evenings until late most of the time. But this she new when they got married. If he does not see clients there will be no money. He does not get a fixed salary. The whole afternoon yesterday I could see something is up in the way she talked to him, she challenged him in front of us in a very disrespectful manner a few times or she would answer him sarcastically. I was shocked, because I have not seen her like that before. She also decided that she will get a babysitter every Thursday so she can go and drink cocktails with her friends who are not married!!! Don’t get me wrong I also go out for cocktails with my friends there is nothing wrong with that. But it happens once or twice a term, not every week. I did not know how to handle her outburst; usually I can help someone with advice and prayer. But this time I was blank! For Everything I said she had a negative answer back. She did not even want me to pray for her, it is as if she blames God and her husband!! And she is a Christian who sings in the worship team in her church!! I was really shocked. He is a good and gentle husband and he never said anything back when she behaved like that yesterday, He just stayed calm and answered her. So now I don’t know what to think. It bothered me the whole day today. I know we do not see him when they are on their own, but it is sad that two people who were such a good team just want to give up. But I must not judge. I just wish I could have been of more help to her. I wish I had the words that would soften her heart. But she said to me she does not care and if he does not care it is fine with her. I will continue to pray for them. I cannot change them, but God can!!
What I do know is, TTWD/DD was the answer for us. But hey, that’s just us! ;)