Tag Archives: All in the Family

Those Were the Days

Over the weekend, I got off the Exit called Reflection.  Trying to avoid an eat, sleep, work and repeat the same cycle over again mentality, I pulled off to take a breather, camping in the mountains with my daughter.  Subsequently, I was able to slow down enough to take my spiritual pulse.  Laying back in the wilderness, thoughts began to flood my mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ6Ax3oSThQ

Healed from most of the scars from losing my teaching position to a new management group, God allowed me to see positive images from my past.  Similar to the theme song from All in the Family, the Lord brought to recall memories that made me think, those were the days.  Skipping my planning period to partake in a gym class with juniors and seniors, participating in school fundraisers like Donkey Basketball, Dodgeball, Golf Megaathon & Volleyball and developing an Ultimate Frisbee class will always hold a special place in my heart.

Although, you and I may not be exactly where we want to be currently, there’s still time to change course.  Perhaps you need to pull over, take a break or spend time reflecting.  You can start by reading Philippians 4:8; then apply this principle like a scene from Polyanna, playing the good game.  If this exercise can become a habit or daily routine, you may reach a point in time when you can honesty say, “those were the days!”

by Jay Mankus

Faith Like the Jeffersons

In their theme song, Movin’ On Up, 2 African Americans elude to their struggles to achieve the American Dream.  As the lyrics below indicate, George and Louise Jefferson worked their way up from poverty to the upper middle class.  This 70’s sitcom served as a spin off of All in the Family, lasting 11 seasons with an impressive total of 253 episodes.

Movin’ On Up

Well we’re movin on up,
To the east side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin on up,
To the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie.

Fish don’t fry in the kitchen;
Beans don’t burn on the grill.
Took a whole lotta tryin’,
Just to get up that hill.
Now we’re up in the big leagues,
Gettin’ our turn at bat.
As long as we live, it’s you and me baby,
There ain’t nothin wrong with that.

Well we’re movin on up,
To the east side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin on up,
To the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie.

For the average middle class family in America, times have gotten tough and if the recent down turn in the economy is any indication, its only going to get worse.  Like the Jefferson’s, I have big dreams for a deluxe apartment in the sky, yet I currently find myself as a lowly peon.  When you start over or begin a new job, you’re at the bottom, looking up at everyone else.  To accomplish your goals, you have to stand out, Philippians 2:14-15, going above and beyond the basic expectations of your employer.

Although you might feel like Cinderella at times, lost and forgotten, you must possess faith like the Jeffersons, Matthew 21:21-22.  Their vision for a better life didn’t happen over night, they had to work for it.  Thus, the next time you feel like you’re not where you want to be, bear down by trusting in the Lord, Proverbs 3:5-6.  Aim yourself with the attitude of Christ, 1 Peter 4:1-2 and the desires of your heart will be within reach, Jeremiah 29:11.  Keep the faith!

by Jay Mankus