Monday, November 12, 2007

being right

I woke up too early to sore muscles and three sick children. Halfway through my coffee, I glance at my calendar.

“9:30.”

With no memory of what this might refer to, I ask my husband, who reminds me that we’re having blood tests today for our new life insurance policy, so I shouldn’t eat or drink anything. For the next four hours.

Perfect.

Oh, and I’m a classroom volunteer for Twin A.’s class. I rummage through my in-box looking for the volunteer schedule that tells me what to do when I can’t make it, but it has evaporated into the land of un-filed email that can never be found. And so I email the teacher and the schedule coordinator, explaining that Twin A. is sick and I’m not sure what to do about my volunteer shift.

His teacher emails me right back and tells me not to worry about it. She has extra help today. Just give A. lots of hugs.

And then I get an email from the coordinator. A very rude email detailing sick policy protocol, which I have clearly broken. And she sent it out to the entire class.

Have I mentioned that I’ve just had a very emotional two days of getting beat up and my body hurts all over? And I’m starving, but can’t eat anything? Oh, and I have three sick, needy children?

This is a good reminder to me to show grace. I have been that coordinator, sending out curt emails. Being right.

But right doesn’t matter sometimes. Sometimes kindness, courtesy and grace should be above “right.”

14 comments:

Craver Vii said...

Steady, Sis. Don't let the roar out just yet.

Llama Momma said...

No, no roar...just tears.

Honestly, it feels like I'm back in Jr. high...and outside of having fewer wrinkles, that's not a good feeling.

But I'm making homemade macaroni and cheese for dinner. How can one possibly feel bad about anything when they're eating macaroni and cheese?

Anonymous said...

hope all of you get to feeling better soon. Perhaps a good time to practice your self defense techniques?

Oh, yea. Maybe not.

Llama Momma said...

SP -- Oh, yeah. Then I'll REALLy be popular with the PTA! :-)

Anonymous said...

B"H

Hi LM,

Nice post. I think it's better to Do right than to BE right. None of us will ever build a better world unless we are willing to follow in the footsteps of Jesus who was led as a lamb to the slaughter, yet he opened not His mouth (in self defence).

Be strong my sister, and I pray that you and your entire family will get well soon.

Blessings,

Shlomo

Llama Momma said...

Shlomo,

I like the way you say this. "better to do right than to be right." Yes.

And this moment of remembering my own self righteous behavior in the past -- so quick to point out the faults of another -- helped me hold my tongue yesterday. I didn't need to defend myself; in fact, I had already admitted my mistake. It was a time to simply DO RIGHT.

Thanks for reading and commenting!
blessings!

L.L. Barkat said...

Isn't it funny how much satisfaction we sometimes get from being "right"? What's that about anyway?

Llama Momma said...

LL -- I don't know, but at times I seem to cling to it...this right to be right.

I'm learning to hold all things with an open hand; including this.

Halfmom, AKA, Susan said...

who's been beating you up? let me at them - Crave will tell you that I pack a mean punch!

so sorry that there is illness at your house - there has been here as well and there are not small children involved - just a mom and a 23 year old who still needs to be cared for by mommy when sick - sick enough that she had to leave her 5th graders in other hands.

I do hope you are on the mend soon and that mac and cheese was a big hit - soothing all the feverish brows.

Llama Momma said...

halfmom --

Look down a post to see why I was beat up all weekened...

and thank you for the well wishes. Lots of sleep, good food, tons of vitamin c ... we're all on the mend! (Thankfully!)

Craver Vii said...

(singing) Ev'rybody was kung-fu fightin'
them cats was fast as lightnin'

...

Llama Momma said...

Thanks for thinking of me, Craver. It was a rough weekend again...I'm beyond exhausted...

But, man, I am changed as a result.

More on that soon...once I recover! (And figure out how to post a snippet of video!)

MamaToo said...

Your recent posts have really made me love you & your writing even more. I'm sorry I've been "lurking" for a while.

I love that you blessed the coordinator with grace, even in your blog, by recognizing how you (and we all) can do similar things.

The class sounds amazing, and I hope all of the Llama household are getting back to full volume! :)

Llama Momma said...

mamatoo --

Lurk away, my friend! But also feel free to chime in, anytime. ;-)

I can't wait to sort out my thoughts and feelings about the class. It really was amazing.

God is teaching me so much lately. Some of it is reflected in this blog, but so much isn't. And so I just continue to tell my stories...reflecting on God's lavish grace...and hope that this slice of life encourages someone on their own journey.

Blessings to you and your family!!