Teaching? Living?

"Who is wise and understanding among you?  Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom."  (James 3:13)

Have you thought about how you learn something - especially something new?  I know most of us are old enough  we have been out of school for quite a while.  We do, however, at least occasionally learn (or want to learn) new things.  We get a new appliance, a new phone or we want o actually try a new thing - for a favorite hobby or passtime or something really new.  So how are you at learning?  I was in my 50s, in Seminary, when I found out I'm what is called a kinesthetic learner.  I need to be doing something - either what I'm trying to learn, like cooking, or my needlework, so my hands are busy.

The readings, today, are about living what we have learned but also about teaching or sharing.  Proverbs 31 is a message from the king to his son but it is actually a lesson from the king's mother.  The lesson is about living life.  The first verses, of this chapter, about about speaking up for others. (31: 8-9)  Then this chapter goes into how households can take care of each other and others. (31:20)  James is telling us to show, live a life of, works but with "gentleness born of wisdom."  (James 3:13)  And Jesus, in our Gospel reading, is pointing out how we treat others - especially the littlest and most vulnerable - is how we treat not just Jesus "but the one who sent me." (Mark 9:37)  Living, actually doing, what we believe is also how we teach.  I saw a couple quotes, this week I want you to think about......  The first one I saw on a sign - "The life you lead is the lesson you teach."  The secon one was a story on Facebook - "a person is asked if they are a Christian.  The response given is "ask my neighbor.""

Yes, we are Caregivers but we still have lives and we can still think about how, and what, we are teaching.  How are we leading our lives?  What would our neighbor's response be?  Something to think about.....