Can we get a 100 in life?

"So if I get all these right, do I get a 100?" - an infamous quote from one of my students who walked in tardy, grabbed the warmup worksheet, pointed at it, and then asked me these words.  I just stared at him a moment, unsure of what to say.  Do I simply answer yes?  Do I make some snude remark, like duh you idiot?  Is he seriously asking me this?  Is this child after 14 years, just now realizing that if he actually answers each question accurately; if he actually puts effort into his work and completes it correctly, he might actually get an A? What a profound moment for this student.  And all I could do is stand there and stare at him like a deer in headlights, my mouth dropped open to catch any flies in the room.  Had I failed as a teacher?  Was it really that hard of a concept?  Had I, or a previous teacher, forgotten to teach them the easiest and most basic skill there is....

Why do we as humans have such a hard time understanding such an easy thing?  If I actually try hard, I might get an A.  If I actually put forth effort, I might succeed.  If I attempt to be good, I might have a genuinely fulfilling life.  We always seem to be surprised how wonderful it feels when we do something honorable.  If we love that joyous moment of success so much, why are we so afraid to try and attain it more often?  Why is it so difficult to live righteously?  Can we get a 100 in life?  Is there such a thing?  If we do everything right, perfect, exact, correct....can we get that 100?  Or at least an A?  Isn't that exactly what God is asking of us? To just try...to just put forth our best effort....to just attempt to be more Christ-like....

Brandon and I have been talking about New Years Resolutions.  Things we want to do better, things we want to try, new ideas and old failures, how we plan to put them into action, and actually be successful!  Blogging is one that we both want to try, each on our own.  This is mine.  I start with this entry with hopes that I will remember those words throughout the new year, "So if I get all these right, do I get a 100?"  I hope that 2011 brings me lots of opportunities to try and do "right" and even more I hope I am successful.  I know there will be struggles; I know there will be moments of failure, but at least I will know that I tried, I attempted, I did the best I could!

I hope you will join me in this quest of doing "right".  If nothing else, encourage me along the way.  I will try to post weekly, maybe more.  Some entries might just be venting moments about my students.  Some entries might be hilarious stories of my awesome kitties.  And some entries might be amazing lessons I have learned as a newly wed and just life in general.  I'm not an outstanding writer in anyway, so bear with me.  I type as fast as my fingers will let me, and sometimes its just not fast enough for my brain.  I hope you enjoy what I write, if nothing else, maybe a good laugh here and there.  Hope everyone has a blessed year!

Love,

Ash
1 Tim 1:12