Saturday, April 29, 2017

Outside pressure

Years ago I was an Instructor in Naval Intelligence Processing. Later a SS teacher. I was always looking for Objects to use in teaching.  I remembered the teachers that could drive a point home with a fitting object.  Quotes of the 'Wise ones' were also near the top of the list.


In Key West I was called into the 'Old Man's Office'.  I reported in and my CO said, "Stand at ease Chief."  He was smiling and continued. "I wanted to take a minute to tell you I stood outside your class room today. I liked the use of the hammer in driving data home. I also noticed you used a lot of sayings  attributed to your dad. I just wanted to know, was your dad that wise, and did he say that much?"

I laughed and said, "My dad had a formal education of the 3rd grade. He was self-educated and smarter than many men with a Masters-degree. And Yes-sir, he did talk that much, he was a preacher."

"Get out of here Chief, and keep up the good work." (I write, patting myself on the back!)


 (Key West has the southern most point of the USA)


Now to the point of this entry. When I taught SS many Sunday mornings I took an early walk. One morning I started picking up nuts and bolts along the road. I found some wheel nuts, muffler hangers and many assorted things belonging to cars and trucks.

That morning I carried a sack of the parts into class. I took the objects out one at a time and suggested that none of these parts on their own would  stop the car, BUT it would be less safe. A wheel lug will not cause you to lose a tire but if another is lost the pressure on the other lugs can be dangerous. I was equating this to our lives, if we are not careful we will not notice some of your joy is gone.  Losing some of these bolts I am sure caused some squeaks. Losing some of our joy we may start squeaking or complaining. Sometimes the complaints are enough to ruin good relations.
There are times when outside pressure, works like pot holes to cars and cause you to lose something you NEED and treasure, like your smile. I hate it when outside forces mess with my mind. It happens to me. If you are not careful it can happen to you. When I start complaining, my girl checks me, and I TRY to straighten up and fly right.  LOL



Nite Shipslog
PS:We have a son who thinks when you die and you are good, you go to Key West. I do not share the feeling.

 This is a cool paint job on a unique car



7 comments:

Paula said...

I like the way you taught, that makes it interesting for your students. Like that car too.

betty said...

LOL on going to Key West after one dies. Never been to Florida, but heard Key West is pretty nice down there. I guess better going there than Disneyland?

Great Sunday School lesson you taught; very creative and good point made.

betty

TARYTERRE said...

Good points made for school. It takes someone special to teach. You are.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

You have found some great ways to bring home your point for sure. Most days I have all I can do to keep myself on track, good thing you have your sweet lady there to help you !

Mevely317 said...

THIS is a delightful message, Jack.
Only a day after Ma wrote about discovering joy in all things ... here it comes again. (Note to self: Sit up and pay attention!)

Your CO sounds like a good man, making the time to provide feedback that's stayed with you all this time.

Not everyone (certainly not me!) can teach, but I'm proud to say I know one who's made a difference in my life. (TYVM!)

shirl72 said...

Very good example. I feel like a tire that is loosing air and going flat.
Then something good will happen and I feel pumped up again. I just hope the screws in my head stays tight and I keep running like a new car.

Dar said...

You can't begin to realize how much this entry touched my heart. It was a long couple weeks and here you are, reminding me to 'smile' among the potholes. Thanks Jack. You teach so well.
love n' big hugs from up north where ' normalcy ' is on the mend.