Buzzwords are fashionable expressions often used in businesses. They are meant to impress and drive home new and improved theories believed to be the key to success within the organization.  In the field of education, the new buzzword or phrase is Common Core Standards.

The Common Core Standards are a collection of ideas formed in an effort to prepare the next generation of K-12 students to be college and career ready no later than the end of high school.    The standards define what all students are expected to know and be able to do, not how teachers should teach.  They focus on what is most essential, but don’t describe all that can or should be taught.  It is not a list of restrictions or limits.  Although there are tons of resources: books, websites, and trainings on how to use the standards, I think I can speak on behalf of most educators when I say the most important tool in reaching students is establishing a common ground.  If students believe that their teacher sincerely cares about them, and is not judging them for who they are, but simply providing them with tools to become the best that they can be, they are more likely to grab hold of and apply the tools.

God gives us a standard by which to measure love.  No one will ever love us like He does, but he provides us with a guideline for what we should expect of an appropriate suitor, what they should know and be able to do, what is essential to a successful relationship.    2 Corinthians 6:14 says “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?  Or what fellowship has light with darkness?”  There are many relationship books, online dating sites and even married couples Sunday School classes and retreats, but we must first and foremost guard our hearts with the syllabus of God’s Word.

To those blessed with the awesome responsibility of being a wife they are instructed in 1 Peter 3:1 to “be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over not by badgering words but by the wife’s believer behavior” (words added for emphasis).  Simply put, nagging is a no-no.  It doesn’t work.  Instead of judging and blaming, we need to be clear and honest about our expectations.  It is God’s job to do the teaching through our obedience to Him.  Yet too often, we register “students” that God has not assigned to us.  We go to great lengths trying to “school” them when all the while God has a different lesson plan for us.  The Word isn’t some boring lecture that keeps us from having fun, but valuable information that can keep our hearts from being broken.

So if you keep finding yourself back at the same old drawing board, having the same arguments or attracted to the same type of people/relationships– perhaps you should ask yourself early on, way before the wedding bells ring, “What do we really have in common?”  If you’re not both exerting the same effort, or if one of you isn’t ready to graduate to the next level, it just might be time to say, “Class dismissed.”

Blessings,

Celeste <3

This week marked the 100th day of school.  As a teacher there are many milestones between September and June.  This is one of them.  The 4th of July of the school year, it’s a centennial of success if you will.  It helps impart to kids the importance of setting and reaching goals and instills a joy of celebrating what you’ve learned so far.  It was a day of fun activities, but truth be told I’m not really a numbers person (Shhh…don’t tell my students).  Instead I have a passion and preference for teaching reading and writing.  Yet God in His infinite wisdom, often adds to our lives through the challenges we face.

In particular I find teaching the concepts of time and money difficult.  My mom taught me with tools such as a toy clock and play money.  I teach using the same strategies and it helps.  It’s still a struggle, but I can show students better than I can tell them.

I almost think numbers know how I feel about them and that they therefore find ways to insist that we interact. As I sat down to write out my bills this week I discovered that I had one check left.  And yes, as I told the astonished personal banker, I still write checks, lol (I told you I love to write).  Not only that, but as I balanced my checkbook my expenses seemed to multiply before my very eyes.  Clearly I need to divide myself from Walmart.

Speaking of which, the hands of time seem to have sprung too early as my favorite store’s heart shaped decor delivers a knock out punch to Christmas clearance.  While shopping and seeing the signs of the pending couples holiday, my singleness swerves to avoid taking a hit.  My attitude tries to block negative thoughts.  What’s my decimal point you may ask?  Sometimes tithing and timing don’t appear to make sense.

Actually neither one of them do.  In theory– subtraction, or giving does not equal increase.  And my age plus the statistics say that the chance of finding “the one” are less than likely with each passing year.  But there is a difference when you invest your trust in God.  He is the common denominator.  He’s shown me over and over that “He’s got me.”  He tells me in His word that the cattle on a thousand hills belong to Him.  He is love.  So when I’m in doubt and things don’t seem to add up, I have to believe that He is the solution to the equation. It’s not always as easy as 1,2,3 but perhaps it’s like I tell my students, “Practice makes perfect.”  I just have to keep counting on Him.

Blessings,

Celeste <3

While pondering what cute message I could blog or tweet I thought about a news story I recently heard on the radio.  The announcer posed the question of whether or not God is concerned about who wins this weekend’s big game.  There was a lot of friendly banter back and forth, the majority believing that surely He has more important things to do.  I laughed to myself and thought of posting, “God must be rooting for the Saints” until I realized that it’s the Ravens and 49ers that are playing.  I therefore decided to stick with what I know.

Today is Super Bowl Sunday, a day where two teams come together with the hopes of walking away with a shiny, metal symbol of achievement, of having finally accomplished what they’ve worked so hard for.  Some have even dreamed of this day their whole lives.  There will be celebrating.  There will be eating.  There will be pictures taken to capture the momentous occasion…kind of like a wedding.

Last year this time I was pouring over cookbooks and searching websites for recipes.  I so wanted to prepare the perfect spread for my most valuable player.  Festive perhaps to a fault, I even bought the perfect outfit to wear– a casual yet cute pair of sweats and matching top with the name of our hometeam emblazoned across my chest.  On my sleeve I wore my heart.

We are no longer a team, but I did learn some valuable lessons.

#1) I was so into the hot entrees and half time entertainment that I didn’t have my head in the game.  I should have joined the huddle and listened to the plays.

#2) Touchdowns are great, but sometimes it’s good just to appreciate each yard gained.

#3) Less refereeing, more cheering.

Blessings,

Celeste <3

Welcome to FeLines, the official blog of Pigs Don’t Wear Pearls.  Hopefully after you’ve visited the site (www.pigsdontwearpearls.com) and purchased a bedtime story for your little one(s), you will hang out long enough to read one of your own here.  Sit back, relax, and share my experiences in life and love.

Blessings,

Celeste <3

Pigs Don’t Wear Pearls

Bedtime Stories That Awaken Your Child to the Gem That Lies Within

www.pigsdontwearpearls.com