I am still a few days short of completing my year of writing and publishing SOMETHING on this blog daily, but it is safe to assume I will successfully reach the finish line on Friday. So I want to begin reflecting on what I have learned: 1) I am more opinionated than I realized. 2) Whether anyone else reads my words, writing daily has been a great benefit for ME, by helping to clarify my thinking.  3) Publishing here has been an important part of the habit. It forces me to complete my thoughts and to edit them.  4) I…

Late this evening – long after I should already be in bed – I broke out my laptop at the kitchen table to write my daily post. I had just opened up a blank page, but then Caleb came in for a drink of water. And then Samuel came home and decided to eat a second dinner. Long story short, I chose having a conversation with my two college-aged sons over putting time and thought into writing a blog post.  I am certain I made the right choice…

And now begins my favorite part of Christmas: the end.  It is officially OVER.  And even though I am a bit Grinchy, I am not the sort to immediately sweep the house clean of all Christmas decorations. I kind of like the afterglow of Christmas more than the day itself. The goodwill and some of the festivities linger, but there is no longer the danger of being subjected to “Feliz Navidad” on the radio. And all of the self-imposed deadlines are past.  It is time to cut way back on sugar consumption – actually consumption of all types – and start…

In reference to yesterday’s post: Up until this year, I was often embarrassed and ashamed when I felt that God was having to reteach me some important lesson we had gone over before. I thought it meant, at best, that I was a slow learner. At worst, that I was stiff-necked and hard-hearted. (Either one COULD be the case, but there could also be a more innocent explanation.) This year, I changed my approach to teaching 8th grade English and my eyes were opened to an important truth. My change? Instead of devoting an entire class period to some new…

Today marks the second time in a decade I have resigned from Hauser Junior/Senior High School to pursue God’s call into missions.  And here’s the amazing thing about this past year (or rather, an amazing thing about God): It wasn’t just a paycheck to tide me over until I found something else, rather the Lord used this experience to teach me and to deepen my faith. My time at Hauser was in no way wasted. Like any classroom, some of what I needed to learn was review. I see now that some of the most important lessons from our painful departure…

A young lady hesitated as she walked by my door at the close of the day. She has been one of my most conscientious students and a standout even in my honors class.  She’s quiet and reserved, so it meant that much more to me when she said goodbye as she passed and then paused, turned back towards me, and said, “I am going to miss you, Mr. Gross.”  Students have no idea how much power they have to either frustrate or encourage their teachers.  Unfortunately, the opportunities to frustrate are taken on a daily basis while the opportunities to…

Tomorrow I give three final exams, each lasting one hour and 40 minutes, and then I am pretty much done with my junior high teaching career forever. Except for a bunch of grading. With any luck, though, when I walk out of the school on Wednesday afternoon, I will be completely finished with my work, moved out of my classroom, and ready to turn in my key. I have to admit that there is not much that I will miss in the least. And that makes me a bit sad … and nervous … about the future of education and…

This morning after worship an older lady approached me and said, “There was a young man looking for you – he wanted to meet you.” It turns out the “young man” is retirement aged! He was wanting to put a face with my name because I had texted him about joining a men’s small group focused on discipleship. I didn’t know him; I had gotten his name and number from the church office as being someone interested in joining a small group.  He introduced me to his friend who was also looking for a small group.  This will bring our…