A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Five Minute Friday

Respect Isn’t The Easiest Thing

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R-E-S-P-E-C-T tell me what it means to thee.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T I’ll tell you what it means to me.

You see, respect is…
Oh gosh, respect isn’t the easiest thing.  It really isn’t.  Sometimes it’s as natural as can… like showing respect to doctors and policemen.  But sometimes, respect between people can be harder to figure out. 

respect isn't the easiest thing, text. Two hands holding a heart image.

Respect isn’t the easiest thing

In talking with a new friend,
With carefulness of speech,
Because in learning about
Personal history
And the hardness of life,
One learns to tread carefully.

Not for fear of loss
of friendship.
Though friends are
cherished dear.
But out of respect for
that friendship.
Wanting to respect that
hardness of life,
changes perspectives.

Perspective that teaches
you have to work with what
you got.
Nothing else will do that
for you.
Work with it.
Mind your business and hold
it tight.

Be a person of faith.
It’s a good thing.
Respect that God
has your back and teaches
you through the
“HMMS” of life.

You see it’s that
perspective that binds
us together.
That awareness of the
power of God.
Who even with our different
perspectives,
Binds hearts together.

So respect isn’t the
easiest thing.
But if you work at it
you’ll find something.
Most anything, that will
make it possible.

Friends, mutually respected,
Helping you to
look beyond the moment.
and to a future promised.
It’s a good thing no?

Respect isn't the easiest thing

This post is part of the five minute Friday word prompt provided by Miss Kate.  Write for five minutes, link up, go visit those who have linked up before you.  Encourage the heart of others, it’s the centre of our community.

Faith Like the Young

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As I pondered the word young (the FMF word prompt) this verse popped into my head.  “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”  Matthew 18:3   I’ve been pondering it all day wondering how I can make it work with this word… and finally hit upon Faith like the young.  We need to have this kind of faith!

faith like the young

Faith Like the Young

Faith like the young
the verse runs true.
Faith like a child
will see you through.

So often we say,
to childhood I will go
Thinking of the freedom
Avoid adulthood go.

But we often fail to see
the faith that children have
An important part of childhood
To their heart a salve.

But remember now these words
That Jesus said,
Hinder not the children
Let them come to me instead.

The faith of a child
so trusting and so deep
Is the faith that we must have
If to heaven we will leap.

Consider yet the wisdom
of the youth within our midst
Can still the foe and avenger
Cause them to desist.

The simple wisdom of a child
Simple faith they hold dear
Simple words of clarity
A faith that’s not so meer.

Remember when you seek
like a child so to be
It’s the faith of a child
that opes heaven up to thee.

faith like the young

Scripture Referenced

As I sought out the words to round out my poem Faith like the Young, I referenced these bible verses.   

But Jesus said “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them,
for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 19:4

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”  Matthew 18:3

Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. Psalm 8:2

Building this type of faith means spending time in good devotionals.   I found these affiliate links to items we have actually used that might might find helpful as well. 

SchoolhouseTeachers.com also has some excellent devotionals and bible studies for all ages.  Well worth looking into. 

TOS bogo july

A Smile Makes it Better

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Tired and sleepy-eyed on a hot Friday afternoon I fear I didn’t do justice to my thoughts, but perhaps I did.  I was thinking about the word smile and thought about how often a smile makes it better.  Wanted to encourage others in this Five Minute Friday word prompt post to remember the power of a smile. 

A smiles makes it better

A Smile Makes it Better

Have you ever noticed how
a smile makes it better?
Creates a bit of joy,
and welcome.

A smile is simply a frown
Turned upside.
A change in perspective
Needed to change the course of a day.

10-12 muscles to smile
6-11 muscles to frown
So consider that upturned lips
is a small weight loss tool! 🙂

Unfortunately at times
a smile is a falsity shown
hiding truth, yet
Perhaps believed?

But at times forcing a smile
Causes a change in behaviour,
Encouraging a postive outlook.
Where before bleakness lived.

Take a moment and try it
when feeling sad and alone
Smile at the person walking
down the side of the road.

See what a smile can bring
in the heart of a little child
or a granny sitting on her porch
a smile matters.

A smile brings cheer and
The cheerful of heart
has a continual feast
a feast of joy sown.

Have you noticed a grin brings
A light to the eyes
Which in turn rejoices the heart
of all who see it.

Show the cheer that you have within
Bring light to those around
It’s a grace we can offer
To a hurting world.

For a smile
Makes it better
Let it start from
the decisions you make.

Beam at those around
offer a moment of cheer.
Let the grace of God within
A beacon in the night.

Scriptures Referenced

 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.  Proverbs 15:13 

 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.  Proverbs 15:15 

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.  Proverbs 12:25  

The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.  Proverbs 15:30 

People Matter

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I don’t know how this post on People Matter will go today.  I feel like I’m running late with writing even though it is still Friday when I’m writing.  This is part of the Five Minute Friday word prompt group. 🙂   Check out Miss Kate’s post to read other posts on the prompt People. 

Thoughts run through my head, making me question myself and others and some level of frustration creeps in.  Making sense of it all is a struggle.

people matter

People Matter

I heard the other day
a gramma died,
and to be with extended family important.
But those they would leave at home.
Needed care.
The question to answer was
Which people matter?

Both matter but
sometimes choices need to be made.

We are told
BLACK lives matter.
That we MUST hear their stories.
We must understand.
We must choose to listen to
the Hard stories in order to understand.

But the question is this
Why?

I don’t need to listen to the full
story of my tenant.
She’s had a hard life,
with multiple bad things happening.
Yet, I don’t need to know her whole
past to love the person in front of me.

Do only the past lives
of People matter?

We can’t fix the past,
Even if we learn about it,
and better, learn from it.

People complain that
all of our history is white-washed.
No show of colour.
Or any colour shown is in
really poor light
or needing care.

I wonder if there is a reason for that.
That conquering nations always
show themselves in better light
than those they have conquered.

Does it mean white-washed,
or simply,
Pride in accomplishment,
or the need,
to make oneself look better?
Sometimes it’s just
one claims “conquering hero”
as a title.

Though part of me wonders
if perchance
it’s just a continued need
to protect the youngest
among us.
Sheltering young eyes from
the harsh realities of life?

Do young children really have to
know the horrors of residential schools
or the Trail of Tears?
Having to see,
REALLY see, what slavery means
to those enslaved, matter so?

Patterns begun in the past
are so easy to continue into the future.
It’s comfortable.
The brave and bold,
Will see a new path.
And hopefully with wisdom,
balance their conviction,
to the needs of the younger
Generations.

Protecting young minds,
because it’s true
People matter.

Compromise Spelled Out

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Oh, compromise, what a word that is.  What exactly does compromise mean? 

As a noun: an agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions.

As a verb: settle a dispute by mutual concession.

Also as a verb: accept standards that are lower than is desirable.

Come join me as I look more deeply at this word prompt provided by the illustrious Miss Kate. 

Compromise Spelled Out

Compromise Spelled Out

Compromise spelled out
is often what we need to do.
Seen between mom and son
When there is work anew.

Organizing a lad,
Who helpful desires to be
But also has his own plans
That’s just between you and me.

“Mom, will I have some free time?
To spend with dad and friends?”
Clarifying question results in
“Oh son, that just depends.”

Pondering my actions,
I seek to clarify
Asking deeper questions
Seeking to verify.

Reaching to out to learn,
Just what a block might be.
Fitting relationships in,
Would it work for him and me?

Oh it works!
Determining times.
During Covid
My son he pines.

Making time for family
and for friends
While work encompasses much
Compromise extends.

I see it shown
as we work it out
How like this world
This compromise is all about

Seeing the anger
The shouting too
Can people learn
To make less ado?

Experience shows that
Compromise works
It’s one of those
interesting life perks.

compromise spelled out text with two feet on yellow road lines

Poetry aside, we can always see how simple examples in the home can be extended to the world at large.  Working out what everyone needs is a matter of careful communication and the willingness to follow through.

Worth

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I saw the word prompt from Miss Kate last night, and as I did the bunny chores this morning I considered it.  Worth, such a loaded word for many. This makes it an excellent word prompt don’t you think?  

worth

How do you measure worth?
Coin?
Social status?
Power?
Connectiveness?
People following you?
Positions held?
Social media?
Attention from those that be?

Worth can be measured
in countless ways.
As many stars are in the sky
Can worth be measured.

And yet
Worth is meaningless.

It is so easily discounted
Unless it matters to
The one you speak with.

Yet God tells us this
are we not worth more
than the sparrows?
than the flowers of the field?

So why do we concern
ourselves
with our worth?

What does it matter?
If in the eyes of some you are
baggage?

Does your wife love you?
Does she wear her
Pride for you full well?

Does your husband
Mind you full well?
Caring for your opinion
and how others see his beloved?

Do your children rejoice
(yes I know)
That you are their mom?
Glad that they are yours
and no others?

Do you go about your
business
with honour and integrity.
Giving to God what is his due?

Then consider this
You are worth more
than sparrows or flowers
And God cares for them too.

Imagine how much more worth
You hold
to HIM.

And concern yourself not
with
Worth.

worth more than flowers

Matthew 6:28

And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,

Luke 12:7

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

How Can It Be?

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Oh, yesterday I had a good day for most of it (not all), today has been a bit more of a challenge.  I’m thinking it was due to the tension part of yesterday. Though it could simply be I didn’t eat particularly well yesterday and my body tends not to agree with that.  Mostly likely a combination!  🙂  Anyways, I spent the day considering the word How, this week’s Five Minute Friday word.  The tension of yesterday has filled my thoughts, making me ask How Can it Be? 

How Can It Be?

Posted with picture
Rabbit for free.

I noticed a blimp
On the nose, what did I see?

The question asked
Oh, just an old bite.

So off I went
A free rabbit is alright.

A girl came out
Head bowed down low.

A white rabbit
She had in tow.

I picked him
Horror in my eyes.

Snot covered rabbit
Can’t open his eyes!

Lightweight and thin
I wondered aloud?

No vet for him?
Oh, I can’t afford.

Home we met
Diagnosis poor.

Thin, snotty,
Poor missing leg.

Then I felt
An infected jaw.

My heart broke,
Mercy Administered.

Poor suffering bunny,
The pain now isn’t.

Anger settled deep
How can someone allow this?

How can it be?

Then I stopped.
I thought, how…

People all this anger feel
The mistreatment received.

The cries, the screams,
The mutters of protest.

How many feel it?
The intensity of anger.

The sense… THIS IS WRONG!
The knowledge…action must be taken.

How can it be?

How many see it though?
The need for one on one talk.

The conversation via email.
How can this be?

The understanding,
A girl with a good heart.

Lack of knowledge prevented.
But now, Strengthened.

Humane Society to be called
a breeder unsafe they are.

And hopefully
No more bunnies

In Pain
Needing mercy received.

This one on one
with people angry.

Perhaps leads to action needed.
So no more

People in pain
Needing mercy and care.

How can it be?

How Can it Be?