A major USA bank has recently been running
television advertisements with the theme, "I Can."
It has caused me to think about how frequently we
are tempted to add the three letters "n-o-t" after the word "can". In fact,
it is so common that the usual abbreviation of "cannot" is "can't".
Even in the commercial world, there is wide
recognition that it is necessary to take positive action in order to
accomplish anything.
Another major corporation ran advertisements under
the theme, "Just do it."
Twenty-plus years ago, I visited a school in rural
Jamaica where the principal and teachers were working under very difficult
circumstances.
I remember speaking in a classroom that would have
been no larger than 300 square feet. That might sound adequate, but in fact,
there was a curtain down the middle, and that room housed two classes.
The noise from the other classroom made it nearly
impossible to hear. A young student asked me a question, and I had to move
from the front and stand beside her before I could even hear her question.
Despite the challenges of inadequate facilities,
the principal and her devoted teachers worked diligently to do their jobs.
Jacks River Public School was blessed with a very devoted staff.
The principal had obtained four computers, which
she set up in her small office. She loaded a computer-based reading program
that she used to teach struggling students.
I possess the workbook of a grade four boy who, on
September 7, 1998, couldn't even print his name. The principal worked with
Darren every day, guiding him through the computer training program.
Just three weeks later, on September 28, 1998, he
wrote, "A fish can hear very well. A fish has its ears inside its head just
behind the eye."
That little workbook is one of my treasured
possessions.
While the outstanding pedagogical achievement is
very noteworthy, I was pleasantly surprised by the response from the
principal when I congratulated her. She responded by quoting today's verse
from Philippians 4:13: "I
can do everything through him who gives me strength." (NIV)
She was operating in a situation that most of us
would have considered extremely difficult, if not impossible. Clearly, she
had decided to be positive, and she taught me a lesson that I have not
forgotten.
Every day, situations occur where it may seem
easier to be negative and add "not" after "I can." The resulting "I can't"
too often turns us in the wrong direction.
May each of us rise to the challenge to "just do
it" as we face difficult and challenging opportunities. May we be positive
and move forward in the strength that the Lord gives us.
Prayer: Dear Father, help us always to be
positive. Help us to realize that You give us the strength to follow You and
help others. Help us to show Your love in all we do. In Jesus' name, we
pray. Amen.
Vincent Walter
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Reprinted from the
PresbyCan
Daily Devotional with the author's
permission
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