She gazes at the
crisp white sheet as if the rest of her life depends on the next twenty
minutes. Her heart is heavy and self expectation high- too high. It's a simple
math test. She knows all the concepts.
What she fears more
than anything is my response. What will the teacher's red marks reveal? Do they
tell her she's approved? Accepted? Rejected? Stupid? Unable? Not good enough?
She misses a minor
step here, and forgets a label there. I attempt to put small check marks with a
bright red pen, hoping she will receive it as a learning opportunity. Not a
reason to doubt. But the tears come and the insecurities take over. She didn't
get 100%. She's not good enough. She's less than perfect.
I guide her to another
red. There's this crimson red blood
offering freedom through words of red. Red inscriptions from the Good Teacher.
Marks and letters, messages written in scarlet speaking the only truth. The one
truth she must regard more than anything; more than my plastic ball-point-pen
could ever speak.
He says it simply
and profoundly:
Come to Me. I will give you rest. Learn from
Me. I am gentle. You will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy. My burden
is light. Follow me.
That's all He
requires. That's all He expects. That's all He asks. Come to Him. He expects no
perfection, just holy intention. He knows your weakness, struggles, shortcoming,
and insecurities. He's created you for good works and written it all in RED.
Joining hundreds of
Jesus lovers who just write, not worrying if it's just right or not over at
Lisa-Jo's space. This week's prompt- RED.
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