Blessings...

Yes, I am still here. And Cassie, yes I had forgotten my password but I did have it in my password spreadsheet so all is well. I will tell you the problem with this blogging thing...after reading the erudite writings of my daughters, every time I think about writing one I just think I have nothing of importance to say. So... I usually just drop it and do something else.

Today, however, I have something on my mind and I just want to share it. I have the most wonderful family a man could hope for and I just feel so blessed in that way. As I get to know kids in my classroom better, the more thankful I am for my family. As a little boy, I was literally surrounded by family. Virtually every Sunday I got to see most, if not all, of my cousins. We all lived within a 50 mile radius and often gathered at Littlemama's and Grandaddy's or Mom's and Pop's (or both places the same day). I enjoyed a great aunt (Hattie) who loved me as if she were my third grandmother. My great-grandparents, Grandmother and Grandaddy Bishop, were a part of my entire childhood, living until I was an adult. I was raised by 2 good parents who have always supported me and encouraged me - something that I'm afraid cannot be said for the vast majority of my students. I have a brother and 2 sisters who love one another and all get along well (now that we're grown). I have a very encouraging, hardworking, faithful and loving wife. I am blessed to have 5 daughters and 4 sons and 4 beautiful grandchildren - all who enjoy being together and sharing life together. Again, most of my students don't seem to have that kind of support except for the grandparents who might be raising them because their parents are "unavailable". I just have been feeling especially blessed in this way and thought it was worth sharing. No doubt the new life that has come into our family (welcome Abby Kate Jacobs!) has turned my thoughts toward the blessing of family. The same was true of the recent passing of my last grandparent (Welcome Home Littlemama!). These life-changing events make me want to share as much time as possible with those I love, knowing we aren't promised a certain number of days. What I do know is that I enjoy more blessings that I will ever deserve and I thank my Father God for all of them. Chelsea wrote recently about wishing Littlemama could have met Abby Kate. She pictured her holding Abby and rubbing her little hands and oohing over the perfection of new life. That image warms my heart, makes me smile and makes me cry at the same time. Life is so precious! And from this side of that 50-year hill that I am officially over (I love you, Cortni!), I can tell you that life goes by much too swiftly. I remember so well the days when my girls were the ages of my grandchildren. I cherished the time with my girls and , not realizing how quickly it would pass. My children are now becoming parents and I am known as Grandad. I cherish every moment I get to spend with my children and my grandchildren! I know from experience just how soon the grandchildren will become the parents, my children will become the grandparents, making me the great grandad. I want to enjoy every day of it that God gives us together!

Much has been given!

"Mr. Teague, are you rich?" The question came unexpectedly from one of my students today between classes. Brayden was just coming into my classroom for his class period. I said hello as he walked past me and he replied in kind. Then he turned around and came back to ask that question which caught me completely off guard. I immediately tried to brush it off and said sarcastically, "Yeah, sure. I'm rich." I asked him why he would ask me a question like that. He replied that he had noticed that I always wear Abercrombie shirts and stuff. Well, I have never owned an Abercrombie item of clothing of any kind. But, I knew what he was saying. He had noticed that I wear nice shirts (mostly golf shirts that I bought at half price from Steinmart) which meant to him that I must have a lot of money. Quickly, I thought to tell him that "yes, I am rich - but all of us in the United States are rich". I went on to tell him about people I have seen in Mexico and in other areas of the United States who have so little and that in comparison, we are all very well off. He nodded his head in agreement and went on to his seat. Only after he walked away did I think that I really don't know how he lives. He is one of my students who always looks nice and I assume that his family has enough of what they need. In truth, he may be one of those kids (like many of my students) who never quite has enough of the things that represent wealth to him.

Later, another of my students asked me what kind of car I drive. I hesitated before answering because I am aware that the car I drive appears to be a luxury car to my students. And, truthfully, it is a very nice vehicle - no doubt more than I "need". Questions about wealth continue on a fairly consistent basis and I am made to consider each time how truly wealthy I am.

Recently a group from our church visited an area of India which is extremely poor. Stories have been told and video played showing just how dire the circumstances are in that country. Christians are drilling wells to bring fresh water to these people and lives are being changed for the better. The statement was made that by world standards, if a man can turn on a faucet and get fresh, drinkable water - he is a wealthy person. Wow! Yes, I really am rich, Brayden!

God, help me learn to share my wealth in appropriate places and appropriate ways.