Face mask adjustment

If I had a quarter for every time I’ve seem someone adjust their face mask to cover their nose, I’d be able to retire.

These masks are a nuisance to say the least. The worst is when you arrive at a place of business, church or fill in the blank and you realize you’ve forgotten your mask.

You have to go back and retrieve the mask before you can go into the business or church or wherever you’re heading.

I know of some people who don’t keep a mask in their glove box that have to go back home to get a mask before they can go into where ever they intended to go.

What a bummer!

Speaking of bummers, what about 2020?

Weddings have been ruined. Funerals have not been held.

In-school instruction has been disrupted.

Football games have been cancelled or postponed.

The list goes on and on.

We are all hoping for the vaccine to be administered as soon as possible.

jdm

No matter who you supported in the latest presidential election, and it’s obvious how most Oklahomans feel, my father used to say it’s never as good as the winners say it will be and it’s never as bad as the losers say it will be.

My only hope is that we don’t become a socialist nation because the next step from socialism is something we have all fought to resist.

jdm

As parents struggle with virtual education, here are some suggestions I read.

Here are seven suggested areas of emphasis. Put a quote about each one on your fridge each morning. Talk about it at mealtime, providing examples of times you mastered it or blew it – or both. Challenge your children to find a practical way to begin practicing each attribute. 

Day # 1: Honesty. Truthfulness and sincerity are foundational principles. If someone cannot trust you or you can’t trust them, your relationship trust them, your relationship will never go beyond the superficial.  

Day # 2: Discernment. Life isn’t always a choice between good and bad but often good, better and best. Help your kids learn how to make wise decisions by knowing how to say “no” and when to say “yes.” 

Day # 3: Contentment. How much is enough, and what’s the difference between healthy ambition, settling for second best and finding true satisfaction?  Being content is being grateful for what is and patient for what may or may not ever come. 

Day # 4: Courage. Does your son or daughter have conviction? Our kids need to learn how to develop bravery and boldly stand up for what they believe. 

Day # 5: Generosity. Has me-ology replaced your theology? Learn to be a giving person, where we are not just contributing out of our excess but out of our primary resources. Charity comes in many forms, not just money – but also our time, talent and experience. 

Day # 6: Courtesy. Good manners will bring your children places no college education ever will. Thoughtfulness can be expressed in many forms – politeness, a handwritten note, a phone call, an offer to pray for a need or concern. 

Day # 7: Humility. As my friend and renowned pastor Dr. Tim Keller says, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself – it’s thinking of yourself less.” Whether it’s acknowledging a shortcoming or recognizing that your success is the byproduct of many hands and influences, the humble man or woman doesn’t have to be the center of attention.