Picture of Janie

Picture of Janie
REAL TALK

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Choosing Our Team

I began to have these thoughts a week ago concerning my past elementary years of recess time, which were nice, long recesses unlike today in school. Plenty of time for fun, play and getting outside in the fresh air with friends.

I used to love to play hopscotch and jump rope. That was during those first through third grade years. Those would have been my sweetest memories. At that time I was attending Fairview Elementary in Rossville, GA.

My father was a principal at Rossville Elementary School. For some reason, which was never discussed with us children, we transferred to the school my Father was principal of. I remember my self-esteem going down, down, down at that point. I can't really pinpoint why, other than just having my Father there at all times to keep his critical eye on my sister and me, and perhaps come by at any moment to pull my hair or grab the skin on my arm and pinch me....for no reason. I was the "good child" in the family. Perhaps too good in light of becoming invisible. That was a safe place for me, always keeping to myself and not saying anything to ignite my Father's rage. Of course I found out that I didn't have to do anything and his cruelty was shown to me. That's all in the past, and I am now dealing with those memories in a healthy way with God's help in the healing process.

Back to my original thought and memory. My twin sister and I would always gather with our friends on the playground and engage in games of softball or kickball. Of course you had to begin with setting up your teams. My twin sister was either always selected first, seeing that she was the athletic one. She was an asset to the team. I on the other hand would be near the end of the choices being made, unless, my sister was the designated one to do the choosing, and then she would take pity on me and choose me right off the bat! I must admit it felt good to be chosen first, but also I knew she was doing it out of loyalty and perhaps sympathy for her twin sister. Either way, I was picked for the team. Thanks Sister.

This thought led me to other thoughts. I am making the choices now. I choose Janie to be on my team. Not only that, but God chooses Janie to be on His team. And guess what??? There are so many people that choose me to be on their team, to be their friends! I am valued and loved by God and by these loving people he has placed in my life. I love it! There are those that are choosing me and not only that, they are rooting for me! I love the definition of this word: "To noisily applaud or encourage a contestant or team. To wish the success of or lend support to someone or something."

A big thank you to all of those who are rooting me on!

9 comments:

  1. Janie, I am so very sorry for what you endured from your father. I can also relate to a critical, impatient father. My father drank also. Yes, God does choose you to be on His team! Amen. I claim that also. Great post, thank you for sharing! I was blessed.

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  2. I'm so excited that you stop by and read my post, and more excited that it blessed you! May I add more blessings to you my friend? Jane

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  3. I just want you to know how much admire you that you are being so open about your past. I am sure that you are finding healing by being able to express things from your past as you have been doing. You are an inspiration to me and I can see God's hand working in your life. Love you, Jeanette

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  4. Hi Janie-love, just now getting around to your new post. What a great concept! I'm definitely on the "I choose Janie" team, always will be. I delight in your sense of humor, am thankful for your soft, gentle, loving support & encouragement, enjoy the way your mind works, and most of all, I love how you love me for me. I love you the same way in return. So, yep, Team Janie is on my spiritual t-shirt.

    Much love,
    Dawn

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  5. Thanks Jeanette and Dawn....two such wonderful kindred spirits. I'm so grateful to have you in my life...on my team. luva,janie

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  6. Hey Janie, again, like I said on FB, love this post! I am sorry for what you had to endure from your father and so glad that you can talk about it now but still turn toward the blessings in your life, like your sister! I didn't realize you had a twin!

    Loved your observation "God chooses Janie to be on His team"! What an awesome thought that is! I'm so glad He chose both of us. And, of course, it's encouraging to realize that all of His children are on the same team, but I am also glad for the specific ones He's brought to me to encourage me and root for me and for enabling me to do the same for them! Love, Ruth

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  7. Ruth,
    I'm so grateful that God has sent you my way and YOU are on my team and He is on ours! Oh yea, I do have a twin and a younger sister. I am very, very close to them both. Nothing like having a twin though....it is a wonderful thing. love you, janie

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  8. I too am sorry for what you had to endure from your father, but what strength to be able to overcome and be the positive and wonderful person that you are today.

    I am proud to be on "Janie's team" and rooting you on! Not only because you do the same for me, but because I am happy to and enjoy you as the wonderful and beautiful person that you are!

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  9. Oh sweet sister, I am honored for you to be on my team...and touched by your kind words. And yes, I am on your team and would do the same for you. Janie

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