OVERCOMER MOVIE

 

     I am by no means a "Crier." It is not a "macho" thing for me I just don't cry. That all changed for me this last month when I saw the movie "Overcomer." In fact I saw the movie twice and ...you got it I cried TWICE!

     Overcomer is a Christian based movie that was put out by the Kendrick Brothers, the same gentlemen who put out the movies "War Room" and "Courageous." I won't tell you the entire story but will say that I felt like I could relate to the main character, John Harrison. He was a basketball coach for a Christian school who had high hopes. After a Industrial Plant in town began laying off it's workers, many students from the school began to drop out. His basketball team was losing players so the principal has a brilliant idea. She asked him if he would be willing to coach the school Cross Country Team. Cross Country? He could not understand what was going on. The problem was his team. He had one runner, a young lady who had asthma! How in the world would he ever be able to coach only one person?
    
     How many times have we been put in situations we didn't think we could handle. I know for myself in 2016 when I was asked to be the opening manager at Chick Fil-A I was very nervous. I had no experience whatsoever in the food industry. God put me in that situation to stretch me! I learned a lot! Just like the main character John Harrison who obviously had no experience in Cross Country coaching, he was stretched!

     Again, without sharing what the movie was about, what really touched me were 2 things. One was when the Cross Country runner, Hannah Scott gave her heart to Jesus. Hannah lived with her Grandmother who worked 2 jobs. Hannah had a history of stealing. After speaking with the school principal, Hannah gave her heart to Jesus. The second thing that touched me was when Hannah was reunited with her Father. Hannah was told that her Father was dead. Coach Harrison met Hannah's Dad in the hospital. He had diabetes and was blinded by the disease. To see Hannah and her Dad reconcile touched me deeply. I pray that will happen soon with members of my family!

     I don't know if "Overcomer" is still in theaters. If it is not, I encouraged you to watch it on DVD!
I realize this blog was short this week but I pray you will be blessed by it!!  

         

WAIT!!!!!

     Waiting! I don't know very many people who enjoy waiting. As a New Yorker, I can tell you that the word wait is equivalent to a cuss word. I have often said that the phrase "Patient New Yorker" is an oxymoron! But why don't people like to wait? Why are we so gosh darn impatient? Why do we want everything yesterday?

 

     Working at a fast food establishment I see impatience every single day. On the drive thru line people beep their car horns so we can speed up the process. After taking orders at the register, I have had people say "How long will this take I'm in a hurry." I wish I had a picture of the people who are standing on the side where they pick up their carry out orders. They all look so impatient and angry. No smiles! In my entire life, I have never heard anyone say "I understand I will have to wait for my Chick fil-a sandwich. I don't mind! I'll just stand over here and patiently wait for it." I would faint!!

 

     Recently I was on line at a Dollar Tree Store. There was only one register open. Many people behind me kept complaining. "This is ridiculous! someone must have not showed up for work! I can't believe this! How much longer are we supposed to wait? I'm going to complain to management!" Eventually another register opened and the huge line dwindled down.

 

     Isaiah 40:31 tells us in the bible - "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." What this scripture tells me is simple. When we wait, we become stronger! God is renewing our strength! Imagine of God was like the Genie from Aladdin. Every time we ask him for something, he grants our wish. I am very happy God has not said yes to all of my prayers! Waiting is a good thing. To be brutally honest, I'm not a big fan of waiting. But I am a big fan of seeing God working on my life. The second part of that scripture says that we will mount up with wings like eagles and not become weary running or ever faint as we walk. We become strong! So to all my friends who I see at Chick fil-a "Please be patient and wait with joy in your heart! Okay, I realize that's a miracle but as a Christian I know when I wait, I become strong!

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!!!   

PEOPLE WHO HAVE INSPIRED ME: MY TEACHERS

 

     It's been a crazy busy two weeks and I finally had a few minutes to blog. Since we are in the month of September and all of our kids are back in school, I thought it would be appropriate if I wrote about a group of people who have truly inspired me....TEACHERS!

 

    It has been said that the most stressful job in America is an Air Traffic Controller. I do feel it is stressful but I also believe those who are teachers also have a stressful job. When I was a kid, when a student misbehaved, the teacher would call the parent and the child was usually punished. In today's day and age when a student misbehaves, the teacher would call the parent and the parent would blame the teacher! You gotta love this new Millennium!   

 

     Growing up I had a lot of great teachers. And...some not so good. All in all the did their best to teach me even though I truthfully struggled. I had a crush on my 3rd grade teacher at Milton Avenue School in Chatham, NJ, Mrs. McMahon. We moved to Long Island when I was in 3rd grade so I was not able to complete that grade with her. I loved history, English and science. Math...not so much. I did want to honor 3 of my teachers. One from Middle school, one from High School ad One from College.

 

     MR, CRISCI - I loved being in the band at school. In 4th grade, I started to learn to play an instrument, the alto saxophone. I loved learning to play and continued playing for well over 13 years. When I was in 6th grade, my sisters friend Kristy who also played the alto sax talked a lot about her band teacher Mr. Crisci. Not only was Kristy in the school band, she also played in the Stage band. I thought that was so cool. That year the music department at Accompsett Junior High recorded their spring concert and put it on a record (remember those?). The following year I entered Accompsett but did not have Mr. Crisci for band. He taught he 8th graders. When I entered 8th grade I was thrilled to be in his band. Mr. Crisci was the kind of band teacher who paid attention to detail. He brought out the best in his group of 8th graders. He made is work and work hard. In January, he invited me to be in the Stage Band. I was thrilled! Our Stage Band played songs like "Time in a bottle" by Jim Croce, "Sonny", "I'd like to teach the world to sing" and "Theme from Rocky." That Spring we also had our concert recorded for a record that my Mom still has. I will forever be grateful to Mr. Crisci for instilling in me a passion for music and the drive to work harder.

 

     MR. SPIVAK - Although Mr. Spivak was not officially a teacher of mine, he did help me a lot! In 10th grade, I was struggling a lot in school and I was given an opportunity to receive tutoring. That's when I was told about a program at Smithtown High School West called "The Learning Center". Mr. Spivak was the director. There were 2 other teachers there but their names escape me. Mr. Spivak helped me by giving me confidence and teaching me how to study. He really took time with me and he believed in me. I will always be grateful to him for working with me and never giving up on me!

 

     MR. DAHL- As a freshman at Northeastern Bible College during my second semester, I took a class called "Old Testament taught by Mr. Dahl. This class was first thing in the morning at 8a.m. All I can say is Mr. Dahl was a ball of energy. He brought the Old Testament to life and taught me so much. I did take another class he taught "Manners and customs of Bible lands" that was also very interesting. I really appreciate Mr. Dahl's passion for God's Word!

 

     If you are a teacher, I take my hat off to you. Thank you for what you do and thank you for your hard work! God bless you!