Friday 6 March
By Rev Sally Foster Fulton
My Grandmother was a teacher, and while she taught Algebra and Latin at the local school, it was at home that we were the beneficiaries of wisdom that went beyond the lessons based in books. If we had disagreement and came to her to sort it, she would have us sit on her back stoop and hold hands until we could come up with a solution ourselves or apologise to each other. We spent hours on that stoop, but we learned to compromise! My Granny also had a way of helping you see things a different way – when we hit her with the usual complaints:
"I have to go to school"
"I have to do my homework"
"I have to eat that for dinner"
"I have to go to bed now!?" …
Sally Foster Fulton
she would say "change 'have' to 'get.'" – used to drive us crazy! But it stuck, and you couldn't help but think when you started to moan about all you had to do. Think of the people who didn't get the opportunity to do the things you took so much for granted! So …
"I have to go to school, I have to do my homework" became "I get to go to school, have an education – a future …"
"I have to eat that" became "I get plenty to eat!"
"I have to go to bed now" became "I get to go to sleep in a safe, warm house and wake up with a brand new day ahead of me." It didn't always work, but I'm fifty years old and I still hear her in my head/ and on a good day, in my heart. This Lent, change "have" to "get."
Christian Aid
Daily Reflection
More than one in four children in developing regions are likely to drop out of primary school for reasons beyond their control.
Give 50p for every educational institution you have attended.