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LONG WALK 2011 Stories
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Past, Present Future
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I listen to a podcast everyday where you read through the Bible in a year. They encourage you every July 7th to take a long walk and see what God is saying to you. This year I did not have the luxury of taking a really long walk but I decided to take the day off my usual exercise of preparing for the marathon/triathlon and walk. At first I was going to listen to music ( I always do) but instead I felt like God was telling me to just listen to the sounds of nature and stay silent. I did for the first one third of a mile. Then I began to talk to God. I began to pray for myself and the needs of others around me. Then I came up to an area that was wooded at one time but recently has started to die down due to someone putting pesticides on it. Something inside of me broke. I just cried as I looked at the desolation but then the Lord reminded me that there was a purpose in the spraying of the area. I thought of my own life as a special needs teacher where I had had this difficult class last year, a difficult situation with an aide who was not always cooperative and the looks and stares of others, the pressure from the parents who wanted their children to perform appropriately but their lives were so messed up they could not get them to do basic things. I realized through the desolation of that area that something would be built on it beautiful. And in my own life things began to happen that way too. My compassion level had increased and when I saw a class out of control my attitude was one of prayer and less condemnation. I learned the importance of taking discipline and order out of my emotions and my general confidence as a teacher increased. I even got a student teacher where I had to tell her some hard things and helped her improve her teaching skills. I also viewed on my way home some yards that at one time were very beautiful but had been laid to waste due to neglect. The Lord reminded me that my yard ( my life ) needed to not be flashy but one where there was simplicity and order. I was initially disappointed my story did not have a picture but late last night I was tagged on a photo on Facebook where a former student of mine when I taught regular education had found a perfect attendance award and later another student from almost 20 years ago wanted to be my friend on Facebook. I must of done something right to be thought of in that way. Sometimes we don't see what impact we are making and why things happen but now I am starting to get it.
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 Chris Chapan 07/08/2011 04:56 |
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Craig from Illinois
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07/08/2011 06:26 |
Great interpretation! You are right on, Chris!!!
I heard Chris's LW story in person last night at the DAB Family Gathering - Chicago. The part when she realized that the pesticides had purpose was my hook. I hope more people will begin to trust God when they see "the things of this world" wither away.
1 John 2: 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Thanks for posting,
Craig
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Leslie
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07/08/2011 10:04 |
I love how God spoke to you. I love how He is so personal to us, in the midst of us just stopping and taking time to be with Him. I love how He is a personal God and the things He speaks to our hearts are so specific just for us, He truly is who He says He is to each and everyone of His children....Chris, thanks for taking the time to write and share with us. And wow the tag in the photo! that is so very God...confirming so much for you..Thanks again...Blessings....Leslie
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Tammy
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07/08/2011 14:18 |
As a fellow teacher, I love that insight. It is so great to know you are touching lives.
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Chris Chapan
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07/08/2011 16:09 |
Thanks everyone! It was great meeting Craig and then Leslie and Tammy remember we are in the trenches together.
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Millynne Brown
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07/10/2011 22:38 |
I was encouraged by how the Lord had helped you during difficult teaching situations -- how your attitude was changed by seeing things in a new perspective. And you are right about us not always realizing the impact of things -- either how we impact others or how things impact us -- often it's quite awhile afterwards that we see how A + B = C so to speak. Glad you were able to encourage and help your student teacher too.
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Avis
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10/26/2011 13:51 |
I just read your story of your walk. I am grateful for the insight of how in our lives we go through seasons that prepare us for the next season. God is teaching me compassion also and he is still working on me.
Thanks Chris for helping me remember that many times desolation is clearing out the old and making room for the new.
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