Leanne DeKay

Aug

2023

To My New Students

To my new students,

I don’t know you yet.

Yes, maybe I have met you.

I’ve taught older brothers and sisters.

I’ve seen you around town and at events.

But I don’t really know you.

We haven’t sat on the classroom rug yet,

taking time to learn about each other.

I don’t know your favorite color.

You haven’t told me your favorite animals, foods, or memories.

I haven’t watched your imagination during recess.

I haven’t seen your dance moves or heard you sing.

You haven’t shown me your play-doh creations.

I don’t know what makes you most happy

or what makes you most sad.

I haven’t seen your writing or listened to you read.

I don’t know if you are bold and confident

or maybe deliberate and thoughtful.

We haven’t laughed together,

cried together,

learned together

or grown together.

But we will.

Before long, we will not only know each other,

but we will become a family.

And I am so excited!

See you soon,

Your Teacher

Jul

2023

I’ve Lost Count

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve prayed the same prayer.

Dear God,

If it’s your will, please let circumstances change.

If it’s not your will, help me to find peace and acceptance.

I have whispered it as I’ve begun my day.

It has come out in sobs during the night.

I’ve prayed it on repeat through the day.

The words vary, but the request is always the same.

Again, and again.

Your will, Lord.

Help me to know it and to want it.

On the days when this prayer has come out seemingly with every breath,

I wonder if God ever thinks,

“Enough, child. I heard you the first time.”

Maybe.

Or maybe He listens just as intently the one hundredth time as He did the first.

What prayer has been on your heart lately?

If you wonder if you’ve exhausted your request,

take a minute to read these verses.

“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.”

-Psalm 116:1-2

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.”

-Philippians 4:6

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

-Romans 12:12

Notice that His word doesn’t say we are only allowed one prayer.

It doesn’t tell us to get a grip or to leave God alone already.

The words I see are actually quite the opposite.

And they are powerful.

We are called to bring our requests to Him…

As long as we live.

Continually.

In every situation.

Faithfully.

We are called to pray without ceasing.

God may change our circumstances.

Or He may change our hearts.

Either way, let’s take our requests to Him.

Even if we’ve lost count.

Jul

2023

Shout out to the guys who…

Worry about our safety.

Help us with our cars.

Fix things in our homes.

Hold the door for us.

Shovel our snow.

Check on us.

Let us vent.

Carry things for us.

Build up our confidence.

Make us laugh when we are sad.

I know us girls don’t make it easy sometimes.

We insist on doing it ourselves.

We take pride in being strong and independent

(or maybe pretend to be at times).

And absolutely independence

is something to be proud of.

But that doesn’t mean we don’t see the ways you lighten our load.

Not because we aren’t capable,

but because you want to be there for us.

Just know, it is noticed. Every time.

Even when we brush it off with “I could’ve done that” or

“that wasn’t necessary.”

Your thoughtfulness is still appreciated more than you know.

Jul

2023

Sorry, but I love you.

I’m sorry to get so fired up, but I love you.

That was how a friend ended a page long text to me.

She had only asked how I was doing,

probably expecting a normal upbeat response.

But she caught me in a moment of hurt.

And she’s the kind of friend you tell things to.

So I gave her a brief explanation of what had happened

and how much guilt I was feeling about the situation.

I had interrupted her day and her own struggles with my problems,

and she had every right to brush me off.

To just say “it will be ok” or “don’t worry about it.”

But instead, she spoke back with so much truth.

Truth about God.

Truth about the situation.

And truth about my character.

She didn’t bad mouth the other people involved.

She didn’t say I was in the right just to make me feel better.

But she spoke truth.

Truth that I needed to hear.

Truth that I read over and over again that day.

Do you have someone in your life to speak truth into you?

If you do, what a blessing.

And if you don’t, maybe now is the time to invest in a sweet new friendship.

Because hear me when I say, it matters.

It matters who you surround yourself with.

It matters that you surround yourself with people who lift you up

instead of tearing you down.

It matters that you surround yourself with people who speak truth into you

rather than just telling you what you want to hear.

It matters that you surround yourself with people who pray for you

instead of talking about you behind your back.

It matters that you surround yourself with people who are in your corner,

through the good and the bad.

It matters that you surround yourself with people

who get fired up when you are hurting.

Because they love you that much.

Jul

2023

It Happens Sometimes

It happens sometimes?

I had a student one year who would say that to me.

She would say it if she made a mistake on her work.

If a friend did something they weren’t supposed to.

It happens sometimes?

Always said as a question, never as a statement.

A question that would be repeated if left unanswered.

A question that required me to stop in that moment and remember grace.

Yes, I would answer. It happens sometimes. Everyone makes mistakes.

What matters is that we try our best.

Or sometimes it was more like…

Yes, it happens. But now that it has happened, let’s do better next time.

How many times in life have I needed to remind myself of this.

That I am only human and it happens.

How could I have done that?

Why did I say those awful things?

How could I let that person down?

Why did I handle the situation like that?

How did I mess up something so important?

Friends, it happens.

That’s not an excuse and I know it doesn’t fix everything.

But it happens because we are only human and far from perfect.

What’s amazing is that we serve a perfect God.

A perfect God full of grace.

Rather than getting the punishment we deserve for our mistakes and sins,

the punishment has been taken for us.

God sent His one and only son to die on the cross for our sins.

And whoever believes will spend forever with Him in heaven.

Have you ever heard of such a selfless sacrifice?

All for you.

And for me.

Yes, we mess up. We make mistakes.

Time and time again, it happens.

But thank you, Jesus, for the grace I don’t deserve and could never earn.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

-John 3:16

Jul

2023

Not Everyone Has the Chance

Not everyone has the chance.

My hometown goes big for the 4th of July.

There is a community church service and breakfast on Sunday,

cruise night and burgers on the 3rd,

and a full day of events on the 4th.

As I took in all of the activities this year,

I thought about how blessed I am to have grown up in small town Nebraska.

And I realized that not everyone has the chance to.

Not everyone gets to grow up in a town like mine.

A town of less than 300 people.

A town that starts their 4th of July celebration with a community church service.

A town where no one is a stranger,

and everyone wants to know how you’ve been

and what you’ve been up to.

A town that is family.

A town that begins the parade with the American flag

and hands over hearts.

A town where the volunteer fire department trucks and ambulances

are the pride of the parade and community.

A town with big hearts.

A town where people pick up turtles along the road

in case a kid is without one for the turtle races.

A town where every child receives their prize money

with a smile and a thank you,

whether it is ten dollars or a quarter.

A town that isn’t perfect.

But in the midst of speaker problems or running out of food,

it is a town where the people are patient and kind.

A town where, as I refill water coolers,

there is immediately someone there to cut open the case

and another to hold open the cooler lid.

A town where everyone pitches in to help,

whatever the need.

A town that cares.

A town that welcomes you in and makes you feel at home,

whether you are from there or not.

Not everyone has the chance to grow up in a town like that.

A town like mine.

But if you did, take a moment to realize what a blessing it is.

Jul

2023

Today Her Mind is Consumed

Today her mind is consumed.

She is sitting in a room full of people,

but her mind is somewhere else.

She knows someone asked her a question,

but she was too distracted to hear it.

She wants to smile,

but it suddenly feels unnatural.

Everyone else is laughing,

why can’t she feel their joy?

Someone asks how she is doing.

She hopes they don’t notice her swallow the lump in her throat before she answers.

Is your mind consumed today?

Maybe you made a mistake you don’t know how to forgive yourself for.

Maybe you are missing someone so much it takes over every thought.

Maybe someone you love is in pain,

and there is nothing you can do.

Maybe you have a decision to make that will affect the rest of your life.

Of course it has taken over your mind.

It’s important, and you care so much.

Just please don’t let it stay there.

At some point, decide that enough is enough.

Say a prayer for courage.

And then set free the thoughts filling your mind by saying the things that need said

and doing the things that need done.

And then let it go.

There is something so freeing about doing everything you can, and then releasing it.

Knowing there is nothing else you can do except pray and trust.

Of course, it will revisit at times.

And of course, it still matters to you.

But it will not consume you today.

Today you have made room in your mind and your heart for more.

More memories.

More people.

More ways to serve.

More ways to show love.

More ways to feel joy.

Today you have made room for the present.

Jun

2023

It was Draining

For awhile, I tried to keep up with everyone.

I made sure I got invited to all the important events by all the right people.

I only hung out with people who had the right status.

Laughed at all of the jokes at other people’s expense.

Walked into places with groups acting like we owned the place.

Pretended to have fun.

But secretly thinking about all of the things I would rather be doing.

The people I would rather be with.

It was draining.

Maybe you have never felt that way before.

Maybe you enjoy keeping up with everyone.

You might even be the one everyone else is trying to keep up with.

That’s ok too. That is completely fine.

But maybe you’re like me.

Maybe you want something different.

Maybe instead of partying,

you want to watch the sunset and go stargazing.

Instead of being invited to all the right events,

you want to go to Friday night football games and town celebrations.

Instead of hanging out with people who help your social status,

you want to spend time with people you don’t have to try with.

Rather than making crude jokes about other people,

you want to be with people who make you genuinely laugh.

Maybe you want to talk about joys, struggles, life.

Go ahead.

You don’t need my permission, but I’m giving it to you anyway.

Find people who are looking for the same thing (I promise you, they are out there),

and make it happen.

Plan a road trip.

Set up a card night.

Find a new recipe to cook together.

Go to all the town events.

Have a bonfire.

Go stargazing.

Talk about something deeper.

Stop draining yourself by trying to keep up with everyone else.

Instead, let people in who will fill you up.

Jun

2023

Yesterday Got the Best of Her

Yesterday got the best of her.

She thought she knew patience,

but the smallest inconvenience made her snap.

She thought she was kind,

but hurtful words came out of her mouth.

She thought she had put it behind her for the last time,

but she fell back into it.

She thought she had healed,

but one mention of it brought instant tears.

She thought she was smart,

but she didn’t have any of the answers.

She thought she had confidence,

but one comment brought out all her insecurity.

She thought she was strong,

but fell apart when given one extra thing to carry.

She thought she was reliable,

but she let everyone down.

Yesterday.

Maybe you have had a yesterday like that.

A day that got the best of you.

A day that brought out the worst in you.

Maybe a day you wish you could do over.

Or a day you wish had never happened in the first place.

If that was your yesterday, please know it does not define you.

One day does not define your kindness, your strength, or your abilities.

You are a child of God, fearfully and wonderfully made.

Any good in us comes from Him.

Let that be what defines you on the good days.

And let that be what defines you on the bad days.

Let that be what defines you today and tomorrow.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

-Psalms 139:14

Jun

2023

I’m Glad You Called

I always think when my dad sees my name come up on his phone, he has to wonder “what does she need now?”

Because, let’s be honest, that’s when I call my dad.

When I need help with something.

When my car is making noises.

When my water heater isn’t working.

When I get in an accident.

When there is a spider too big to get without step-by-step phone support.

When I need directions.

Even after all of that, my dad has yet to answer the phone with a “what do you need now?”

No. Instead he answers with the same welcoming “hello” as always. The same hello that sounds a lot like “I’m glad you called.”

I am thankful for my dad.

Not just because he helps me with my many struggles.

But because he is always there.

Because there is never a bad time to call.

Because there is never a question too dumb.

Because he is patient, funny, and kind.

Because he is the best one there is.

Thank you, Dad!