For Those Who Want What Is Pleasant
There’s a whole bag of Snickers in my drawer, for when you all finish these verb folders, I said. Bribery is awesome.
It appears they are going to die when I ask them to write the conjugations of 50 verbs in four tenses.
One student has the look of a man about to cross the Sahara.
But they don’t know that what stands between them and Spanish conversation is being able to use these 50 core verbs in future, present, and past tenses. Thousands of sentences will be at their fingertips.
As soon as they finish these folders.
The problem is I know the value of the tedious work I’m requiring, but they don’t.
I see the reward.
They only know the hand cramp and the boring.
This morning I read of God’s people, as they came out of Egypt:
They despised the pleasant land; they did not believe his promise. (Psalm 106:24 NIV)
Ridiculous –why would any despise the pleasant?
Because before pleasant came the conquering and ousting of entire towns, and God’s people said, It’s too much.
If I say to my students, Do you want to learn to speak Spanish? they will say yes. If I ask them, Do you want to take four or five days to create a 50-verb folder? they will say no.
Pleasant, yes.
Conquering, no.
We’re no different. We want the clean house without actually scrubbing, the healthy relationships without actually humbling ourselves, and the closeness to God without actually carving out time to be with him.
Of course, I say this after complaining to my writer friends that I am a two-decade flop in the kitchen. And a certain someone said, What you need is tough love. And that’s when I pretended like I could no longer hear what she was saying.
Despising the promised land –it means seeing what is good but not being willing to do what God asks of us in order to claim it.
What pleasant thing could you enjoy if you were willing to buckle down and do the work?
OH THIS IS GOOD STUFF ! Wonderful reminder to me !
I agree that I often want all the good stuff without the work . I was reminded of this when I was at the gym last night . I look at this other chick and she has toned legs and arms , looking all good in her cute workout outfit . But she’s not sitting on the couch in the lounge , she is sweating , lifting weights and doing her part to maintain that shape . Like you were talking about for all areas of life . I need to get in gear what ever I want to see improved …it doesn’t happen by itself ! Great Post ! Thanks
I totally understand. I have one pair of jeans I can snap right now, and I need to get it in gear, too!!
You are amazing, Christy. I’m in. I am going to buckle down and do the fifty verbs! I’ll send you a picture of my work. I want to speak Spanish better with my precious patients who don’t speak any English and are so happy to see me because I have learned Spanish. You inspire in many ways. Keep on posting, please!
That’s a great goal! I’ve been telling my students that Spanish is no longer a foreign language, and we need to learn at least the basics to communicate with the millions within our own borders who speak Spanish. I’d love to hear how you’re doing! Another great way to learn the language is to watch Disney movies with Spanish subtitles. You can pick up a lot of conversational phrases that are super useful.