Get on the bus

I received the new leaders kit for First Place today. I am reading the book written by Carole Lewis first. In the book she shared something from her favorite speaker Patsy Clairmont that I want to share with you.

She tells a story about her son when he was about six years old. Because they lived out in the country, she walked her son to the bus stop every morning. One day, early in the school year, before she got back to the house, she heard the footsteps of her son running up behind her.

“What in the world are you doing?” she said to him. “The school bus will be here any minute.”
“I’m quitting school,” he said, looking her straight in the eye.
“You can’t quit school,” she replied. “You’re only in the first grade. Why do you want to quit?”
“Well, it’s too long, too hard and too boring,” he said.
“Son, that’s life,” said Patsy. “Get on the bus.”

I REALLY had to laugh at this because my 17 year old son Jamie is just like this, as a matter of fact we had a similar conversation when he was this age, which led to me taking him out of school in 8th grade and homeschooling him.

Carole Lewis is telling us that we have a worthy goal here by participating in the First Place program. BUT to reach that goal it will take time, effort and focus. DON’T quit when you run into obstacles. She says to square your shoulders, set your lunch kit firmly under your arm and get on the bus—in other words, take one simple step toward your goal.

I strongly urge each one of you not to quit. Don’t get off the bus because you thing it will be too long of a ride, too hard or too boring. Remember what the initial reason for you to join First Place was. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful weekend.