life beyond the well…

Category Archives: Education


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Just Say Thank You

For the past few months I’ve been in a battle with a student to get them to send a thank you note.  There are certain types of aid that students can receive that are funded by donors, and we require students to send thank you notes as a small gesture of appreciation for the thousands of dollars that this person (or family) is individually investing in their education.

Most students promptly write thank you notes, but this student failed to respond to any of my emails or voicemails.  It was quite frustrating, because this student came to me at a low point needing help and I advocated on their behalf to get them additional financial support so that they could stay enrolled at school.  Now, all I need for you to do is say thank you to finish the process, and you can’t do that?  You can’t even respond to any of my attempts to reach you?  Sigh.

I kept thinking about my frustration, and then I was humbled because I realize that I can be that way with God.  There have been times that I’ve come to God at my low point, in serious need of a blessing, a healing, a deliverance- and He provides.  And then it’s all “business as usual” for me- and I haven’t taken the time to properly say “Thank You”.

With my student, their failure to finish the process and send a thank you note has resulted in a reversal of the funds, meaning the funds will be removed and they will have to figure out a way to finance any remaining balance on their account.  Thankfully God’s grace and mercy doesn’t have “reversal consequences” in our lives, where He goes back and reverses or removes a blessing because our lack of gratitude or our failure to respond to his attempts to reach us.

While I’m praying that my student will learn from this experience, I realize that I have learned as well.  The lesson is the same: just say “thank you”.  Whether it’s people who have blessed you through their kindness and generosity, or whether it’s God continuously providing and blessing you, it’s still important to say thank you.

Who do you need to say “thank you” to?

Be encouraged!  Peace and blessings!


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February Blues

When I was teaching, we used to suffer from this condition that we called the “February Blues”.  It used to hit us toward the end of February, after the newness of the year and semester had worn off, and we realized that there would be many weeks of nonstop school before any sign of a break.  The grind of teaching, grading, correcting, and being physically and mentally present day in and day out starts to wear on you.  You’ve either seen progress in meeting your goals, or you haven’t; and it’s becoming more difficult to stay motivated.  The cold weather becomes annoying and gloomy, and you long for the bright and warm days of spring.

Though I’m no longer teaching, I’ve found myself with my own “February Blues”.  Though I’ve been fairly consistent with my workout routine, and I’m seeing results; I haven’t been as successful with my productivity towards my dissertation.  I’ve been better about getting to work on time, but I’m struggling with being as organized as I feel that I should be.  While I’ve had several thoughts swirling in my head (and drafts written), I’ve found it challenging to complete entries for this blog because I just haven’t felt super inspired.

And yet, I must press on.

I have to press on because the “February Blues” don’t last forever.  I have to press on because I don’t have time to waste wallowing in my feelings.  I’m on a journey, in the middle of a process; and it continues despite how I feel or what I see.  I can’t allow myself to get so caught up in these fleeting feelings during this “gloomy time” that I find myself unprepared when the sunny time comes.  I have to continue to prepare myself; continue to exercise and strengthen my faith regardless of how I feel.  I’m believing for more than I can see right now, so I have to act like it, move like it, talk like it until I DO see it.

And then I have to believe for more.

What encourages me the most is knowing that “February Blues” don’t last long.  Soon, I’ll be at a point where I can’t recall feeling this way, and I’ll be enjoying the blossoms of spring. As my pastor says, “Anything temporary can be tolerated.”  Since I know this isn’t forever, I will continue to trust, believe, and press my way.  And when the next round of “February Blues” come, I’ll be encouraged because I’ve been here before; because I’ll know what it takes to get through- and I’ll hunker down and do it.

“February Blues”- I’m coming for you!  No more holding me back!

Peace and Blessings!