It’s tax time. I got everything ready for our preparer. I found Matt’s W-2 from work. I collected all of our home improvement rebate slips. I searched through my purse for our tithing report from the church. Then I stopped. Something made me look. For some reason I just had to compare two numbers.
I scanned the pay stub for the gross annual income. Then I stared at our giving amount for last year. It should be easy math. God only asks for 10% of our income. “One tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord and must be set apart to him as holy.“ (Levi 27:30 ) But it wasn’t there. I thought we had given God our first fruits but these numbers in front of me revealed a different story. And numbers don’t lie. The truth was glaring at me right there in black and white.
I felt ashamed. Embarrassed. Mortified.
Later I confessed this grievous sin to some close and trustworthy friends only to discover an ugly truth. Many of my friends, many of family, many of my fellow church go-ers do not tithe at all! Needless to say I was in shock.
How can you not give back to God after He has given you so much? The standard for giving in the New Testament was laid down by Jesus' example and is best captured by his words in Matthew 10:8. Jesus tells his disciples, "Freely you have received, freely give." We give as we have received. God doesn’t invite us to go where he himself has not already led. He set the standard, he took the first step, and he freely gave 100%--His only child to die for us.
So I wondered. I wanted to know how much the average Bible believing Christian actually gave to his church. The results were disappointing. Outrageous. Upsetting.
According the Gallup Poll (which, by the way, has nothing to do with horses or how fast they can run.) “Christians give 1.5% – 3.5 % of their income to the Church and other religious causes.”
For many of us, we can’t even feel a 1 ½ % loss (or even a 3% loss) in our income. Most of us spend that much--or more--just going out to eat for one meal alone. Imagine what you spend just in restaurants in a month.
But it gets worse. “Only about three percent of Christians are actually tithing,” the Gallup Poll continues. And an appalling “30%-50% of active church attendees have blank annual giving records.”
What? Let me get this straight. Of Bible believing regular church attenders, only 3% are giving 3%! Do we realize the importance of giving? Do we really comprehend the importance of this command? God killed two young men left in charge of the church’s offerings. “So the sin of these young men was very serious in the Lord’s sight, for they treated the Lord’s offerings with contempt.”1 Samuel 2:17. And then later He makes it clear that He will bless us tremendously if we do take our tithes to Him. “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” Malachi 3:10
Just imagine what a church could do if only 10 % of its parishioners were tithing only 3%. Or if the 3% that were tithing increased their amount to the required 10%. That would be an increase of 3 times as much! Or what if only 10% gave 10%? An increase of over 11 times as much!! Can you just imagine how many people we could send on missions trips. How we could finally fix that bathroom that has never been finished. How we could pay our preachers a decent salary or even offer them health insurance Or have benches by the playground for parents. Or have college funds for kids who want to go but can't afford it. Or…the list goes on and on. Just think. If everyone in the Church were on welfare and tithing, the church would have so much money they wouldn’t know what to do with it!
But I can't think about it right now because I have to go give Cesar what is his. The tax man cometh.
Note: Another interesting fact I learned while researching for this blog, This is a quote from the aforementioned Gallup Poll:
Tithing and Income: “In general, the more money a person makes the less likely he/she is to tithe. While 8 percent of those making $20,000 or less gave at least 10 percent of their income to churches, that proportion dropped to 5 percent among those in the $20,000-$29,999 and $30,000-$39,999 categories; to 4 percent among those in the $40,000-$59,999 range, down to 2 percent for those in the $60,000-$74,999 niche; and to 1 percent for those making $75,000-$99,999. The level jumped a bit for those making $100,000 or more, as 5 percent of the most affluent group tithed in 1999.”
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Permissible Saturday
This Saturday morning was like many Saturday mornings. Cartoons were on the TV. Matt and I were making a big breakfast. The rest were playing in the family room. This particular Saturday the kids chose to play with a new set of plastic balls. The problem arose when the girls started throwing the balls. I don’t know who started it. But I do know who ended it. After several warnings both girls were standing in corners. When their prison sentience expired we discussed the reason they were sent to time-out.
We talked about possible problems with hard plastic balls flying through the air. We considered potential outcomes of balls knocking down one of my “pretties”. Or worse yet, breaking a window and letting in the cold air. And that they would have to pay to replace them out of their allowance money.
Then, as usual, we discussed things we were allowed to do with the balls. We can bounce them. We can roll them. We can bowl with them. We can try and stack them. But Rebekah had a different idea. She took the ball and started banging the ball on her head while saying, “I can do this”.
Yes, Rebekah, I guess you can hit yourself. But why would you want to? It reminded me of the Bible verse “Everything is permitted, but everything isn’t beneficial.” (1 Corinthians 10:23)
There are several things that we are allowed to do but that doesn’t mean that they are necessarily beneficial. The most common one mentioned in the church is drinking alcohol. We are constantly reminded that we are allowed to drink just not get drunk. (Ephesians 5:18 [NLT] “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit”) Therefore, we are allowed to consume adult beverages but to what cost and for what reason? We should consider who it will effect and what could be gained from it. Is the benefit worth the expense?
I am sure there are several additional things we can do that are permissible but not necessarily beneficial. We can eat an entire chocolate cheesecake for dessert. We can drink four cans of Mountain Dew right before bed. We can drive 10 miles over the speed limit. (OK. Wait. That one might actually be beneficial.) We can sin in a variety of ways. But, just as with alcohol consumption, we should weigh our decision with the pros and cons involved and really consider if it beneficial.
I know Rebekah’s point in hitting herself was to show me she could find something that wasn’t on our list of rules. She had no intentions of actually hurting herself. But she did nevertheless. Just as I am sure doing any of these things can lead to hurting ourselves. So when considering choices to make we really need to think before we act. Many things may indeed be permissible but are they worth it? And what if you thought it was allowed and you find out later you were wrong? Who knows, maybe your Father might even put you in the corner for a time out. So be careful.
We talked about possible problems with hard plastic balls flying through the air. We considered potential outcomes of balls knocking down one of my “pretties”. Or worse yet, breaking a window and letting in the cold air. And that they would have to pay to replace them out of their allowance money.
Then, as usual, we discussed things we were allowed to do with the balls. We can bounce them. We can roll them. We can bowl with them. We can try and stack them. But Rebekah had a different idea. She took the ball and started banging the ball on her head while saying, “I can do this”.
Yes, Rebekah, I guess you can hit yourself. But why would you want to? It reminded me of the Bible verse “Everything is permitted, but everything isn’t beneficial.” (1 Corinthians 10:23)
There are several things that we are allowed to do but that doesn’t mean that they are necessarily beneficial. The most common one mentioned in the church is drinking alcohol. We are constantly reminded that we are allowed to drink just not get drunk. (Ephesians 5:18 [NLT] “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit”) Therefore, we are allowed to consume adult beverages but to what cost and for what reason? We should consider who it will effect and what could be gained from it. Is the benefit worth the expense?
I am sure there are several additional things we can do that are permissible but not necessarily beneficial. We can eat an entire chocolate cheesecake for dessert. We can drink four cans of Mountain Dew right before bed. We can drive 10 miles over the speed limit. (OK. Wait. That one might actually be beneficial.) We can sin in a variety of ways. But, just as with alcohol consumption, we should weigh our decision with the pros and cons involved and really consider if it beneficial.
I know Rebekah’s point in hitting herself was to show me she could find something that wasn’t on our list of rules. She had no intentions of actually hurting herself. But she did nevertheless. Just as I am sure doing any of these things can lead to hurting ourselves. So when considering choices to make we really need to think before we act. Many things may indeed be permissible but are they worth it? And what if you thought it was allowed and you find out later you were wrong? Who knows, maybe your Father might even put you in the corner for a time out. So be careful.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Pooh's Grand Adventure
Lately, Caleb has requested the same movie over and over. Fortunately for us, both the girls love it too and don’t mind watching it repeatedly. And just between you and me it is one of my favorites also. Therefore, because we all win, we have seen Pooh’s Grand Adventure numerous times in the past couple of months.
The story starts out “on the last day of a golden summer...” when Pooh and his bestest best friend, Christopher Robin, spend the day together. However, the next morning, as leaves are falling from the trees and Rabbit is harvesting his garden, Pooh cannot find his loyal companion anywhere. Then, after reading a note from the boy, Owl informs the gang that he has gone off to S-C-H-O-O-L, wrongly pronounced Skull. In a quest for adventure the group join together to journey to Skull Mountain. They will face heffelumps and whoozzels, scary dark places and loneliness. Owl even gives them a map because, according to Rabbit, “in the written word is were truth lies”. Unfortunately, though, they lose the map and get lost along the way.
Eventually, they make it to Skull Mountain but there is no little boy in sight. They start to worry and fret. They are not sure what to do, where they are or where to go. They can’t figure out “how to find Christopher Robin without Christopher Robin“. The gang gets separated and each must journey on alone…
The movie’s story line reminds me of our Christian walk. We wake up one day knowing we need something. Someone. We just aren’t sure what it is. We talk to our friends. We seek advice from experts. And if we are lucky--extremely lucky--someone introduces us to Jesus Christ.
Then life becomes an adventure. We take a journey. Sometimes we have friends helping us along the way. Other times we are left alone to face our own versions of heffelumps and whoozzels. We face several dark places and dark times. And at times life can be very lonely for a Christian who isn’t surrounded by other believers through the church body, a small group or some close friends.
And even more importantly than who is on this adventure with you is the map you are using. Rabbit may have been referring to the map that Owl made for them, but Old Long Ears did have one thing right. “In the written word is where truth lies.” The Truth really does lie in the written word. And the only way to know what it says is to read it everyday.
Sometimes we think of the Bible as a list of dos and don’t. It is. In the Old Testament alone there are hundreds of rules including everything from “do not murder” to “do not wear cloths with more than one fabric”. (Obviously some rules are easier to follow than others.) But the Bible is way much more than that. It is a love letter written just to you. Just to me. Just to every single believer from God. It is an instruction manual for life. How to live this life and live it to the fullest. (John 10:10)
…by the end of this wonderful movie Pooh and the gang find each other and then Christopher Robin finds them. Everyone is happy to be reunited. They all walk off hand in hand off for a new adventure. But his time together. That’s the best part. When we find each other and have true friendship and fellowship with other believers. When we can walk off hand in hand knowing, trusting and loving each other. Knowing all along that Jesus went away for only three short days and is with us now just waiting to bring us home. That is the best ending of all.
The story starts out “on the last day of a golden summer...” when Pooh and his bestest best friend, Christopher Robin, spend the day together. However, the next morning, as leaves are falling from the trees and Rabbit is harvesting his garden, Pooh cannot find his loyal companion anywhere. Then, after reading a note from the boy, Owl informs the gang that he has gone off to S-C-H-O-O-L, wrongly pronounced Skull. In a quest for adventure the group join together to journey to Skull Mountain. They will face heffelumps and whoozzels, scary dark places and loneliness. Owl even gives them a map because, according to Rabbit, “in the written word is were truth lies”. Unfortunately, though, they lose the map and get lost along the way.
Eventually, they make it to Skull Mountain but there is no little boy in sight. They start to worry and fret. They are not sure what to do, where they are or where to go. They can’t figure out “how to find Christopher Robin without Christopher Robin“. The gang gets separated and each must journey on alone…
The movie’s story line reminds me of our Christian walk. We wake up one day knowing we need something. Someone. We just aren’t sure what it is. We talk to our friends. We seek advice from experts. And if we are lucky--extremely lucky--someone introduces us to Jesus Christ.
Then life becomes an adventure. We take a journey. Sometimes we have friends helping us along the way. Other times we are left alone to face our own versions of heffelumps and whoozzels. We face several dark places and dark times. And at times life can be very lonely for a Christian who isn’t surrounded by other believers through the church body, a small group or some close friends.
And even more importantly than who is on this adventure with you is the map you are using. Rabbit may have been referring to the map that Owl made for them, but Old Long Ears did have one thing right. “In the written word is where truth lies.” The Truth really does lie in the written word. And the only way to know what it says is to read it everyday.
Sometimes we think of the Bible as a list of dos and don’t. It is. In the Old Testament alone there are hundreds of rules including everything from “do not murder” to “do not wear cloths with more than one fabric”. (Obviously some rules are easier to follow than others.) But the Bible is way much more than that. It is a love letter written just to you. Just to me. Just to every single believer from God. It is an instruction manual for life. How to live this life and live it to the fullest. (John 10:10)
…by the end of this wonderful movie Pooh and the gang find each other and then Christopher Robin finds them. Everyone is happy to be reunited. They all walk off hand in hand off for a new adventure. But his time together. That’s the best part. When we find each other and have true friendship and fellowship with other believers. When we can walk off hand in hand knowing, trusting and loving each other. Knowing all along that Jesus went away for only three short days and is with us now just waiting to bring us home. That is the best ending of all.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Happy St. Patrick's Day
A little boy named Patrick grew up in a Christian home in Britain but he wasn’t very religious until a major event changed his life. As a teen, Patrick was captured and sold into slavery in Ireland. He escaped and live in Gaul, France for six years. The years of his enslavement strengthened his faith.
Patrick later wrote, “In the strange land of Ireland the Lord opened my unbelieving eyes.” He was later led by God’s voice to return to Ireland to convert people to Christianity tribe by tribe.
Patrick used three leaf clovers called shamrocks, to teach the Irish about the trinity--God, Son and Holy Spirit.
To honor this great man of faith we now celebrate St. Patrick’s day by wearing green to remind us of the country he devoted his life to showing Jesus, Ireland, the Emerald Isle.
However, contrary to popular belief, St. Patrick did not drive the snakes out of Ireland. Apparently there were no snakes--before, during or after Patrick’s imprisonment--in the country. (Now that makes me want to visit it even more.)
Also, contrary to popular belief, no matter how many times you get kissed today you will not become Irish or even a saint.
Patrick later wrote, “In the strange land of Ireland the Lord opened my unbelieving eyes.” He was later led by God’s voice to return to Ireland to convert people to Christianity tribe by tribe.
Patrick used three leaf clovers called shamrocks, to teach the Irish about the trinity--God, Son and Holy Spirit.
To honor this great man of faith we now celebrate St. Patrick’s day by wearing green to remind us of the country he devoted his life to showing Jesus, Ireland, the Emerald Isle.
However, contrary to popular belief, St. Patrick did not drive the snakes out of Ireland. Apparently there were no snakes--before, during or after Patrick’s imprisonment--in the country. (Now that makes me want to visit it even more.)
Also, contrary to popular belief, no matter how many times you get kissed today you will not become Irish or even a saint.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Two Noble Wrestlers
It must be the end of the wrestling season. I only know this because of two stories that have recently crossed my desk that I wanted to share.
The first is about a home schooled wrestler from Iowa that chose to not compete in his sectional matches. The story reads: “... when Northrup, one of the state’s best 112-pound wrestlers with a record of 35 wins and only four defeats this year, realized that his first-round opponent in the high school finals would be 15-year-old Cassy Herkelman — a girl — he quietly and graciously bowed out of the match, saying that his Christian values forbade him from fighting someone of the opposite sex.”
The important point in this story, however, is not who won or lost an athletic competition, but that a young man chose to sacrifice a goal he had worked diligently for years to reach because he had been taught early on that there are more important things in life than the trophies and accolades given by men.
The second heart melting story is from not only our state but also our county. Our town's newspaper reported that a local wrestler should have been awarded a victory over the No. 2-ranked 135 pounder in the state. The reining champion, a senior, matched up with our hometown hero, a freshman, at the first round of semi state. The senior, in pure excitement of the moment and filled with adrenaline, accidentally dropped the freshman on his head. The article read: “Since it is illegal to slam an opponent on his head, [the freshman] could have been awarded the victory. In wrestling, if a competitor performs an illegal move that results in the opponent being injured and not able to finish the match, the wrestler that is injured is awarded the victory.”
That could have been the end of the story. But it isn’t. If the underclassman chose to take the victory by default it would have ended the senior’s chances of winning state. It would have ended his high school wrestling career. The article continues, “That’s not what [the freshman] wanted. If he was going to be given a victory over such a high-profile wrestler, he wanted to earn it on the mat, not on a legality that was the result of an accident.”
The freshman withdrew from the completion giving the senior the ability to advance to the next round. He then went onto win semi state and is undefeated. After the completive day the senior’s dad called to see if there was anything they could do for the injured freshman. He could have asked for anything. Anything. But instead his request was simple. All he wanted was the chance to learn from the best and have the champion upperclassman (and his brothers who apparently are great wrestlers also) come to our town and give his team some tips of his trade. The local freshman was quoted as saying, “He is a senior and this is his last year. I have three more years to leave my mark. It was only right not taking away his chance at this. I will be at state rooting for him to win it.”
A true champion is someone who stands firm in defense of a high and noble ideal, regardless of the personal cost. Whether or not any of these young men ever go on to win a state title in high school wrestling, one thing is certain: They has proven themselves champions in my book.
The first is about a home schooled wrestler from Iowa that chose to not compete in his sectional matches. The story reads: “... when Northrup, one of the state’s best 112-pound wrestlers with a record of 35 wins and only four defeats this year, realized that his first-round opponent in the high school finals would be 15-year-old Cassy Herkelman — a girl — he quietly and graciously bowed out of the match, saying that his Christian values forbade him from fighting someone of the opposite sex.”
The important point in this story, however, is not who won or lost an athletic competition, but that a young man chose to sacrifice a goal he had worked diligently for years to reach because he had been taught early on that there are more important things in life than the trophies and accolades given by men.
The second heart melting story is from not only our state but also our county. Our town's newspaper reported that a local wrestler should have been awarded a victory over the No. 2-ranked 135 pounder in the state. The reining champion, a senior, matched up with our hometown hero, a freshman, at the first round of semi state. The senior, in pure excitement of the moment and filled with adrenaline, accidentally dropped the freshman on his head. The article read: “Since it is illegal to slam an opponent on his head, [the freshman] could have been awarded the victory. In wrestling, if a competitor performs an illegal move that results in the opponent being injured and not able to finish the match, the wrestler that is injured is awarded the victory.”
That could have been the end of the story. But it isn’t. If the underclassman chose to take the victory by default it would have ended the senior’s chances of winning state. It would have ended his high school wrestling career. The article continues, “That’s not what [the freshman] wanted. If he was going to be given a victory over such a high-profile wrestler, he wanted to earn it on the mat, not on a legality that was the result of an accident.”
The freshman withdrew from the completion giving the senior the ability to advance to the next round. He then went onto win semi state and is undefeated. After the completive day the senior’s dad called to see if there was anything they could do for the injured freshman. He could have asked for anything. Anything. But instead his request was simple. All he wanted was the chance to learn from the best and have the champion upperclassman (and his brothers who apparently are great wrestlers also) come to our town and give his team some tips of his trade. The local freshman was quoted as saying, “He is a senior and this is his last year. I have three more years to leave my mark. It was only right not taking away his chance at this. I will be at state rooting for him to win it.”
A true champion is someone who stands firm in defense of a high and noble ideal, regardless of the personal cost. Whether or not any of these young men ever go on to win a state title in high school wrestling, one thing is certain: They has proven themselves champions in my book.
Friday, March 11, 2011
It's My Party!
Why do we “hope you have a great day” only if it is your birthday? Would it be OK if I told someone to “have great day” even if it wasn’t their birthday? I mean… I am sure we do. The are lots of times I tell a friend to have a great day. But for reason everyone tells you to have a good day on your birthday.
And what about those well wishes? What is the appropriate way to send them these days? Are we supposed to send cards? Call our friends early in the morning to see who can be first to sing? Send a message or post on Facebook? What if Facebook didn’t remind you that it is someone’s special day would you have even known? Would you have even sent the greeting anyway?
Yes, you guessed it. Yesterday was my birthday. I spent it like any other day. I volunteered in my children’s classrooms in the morning. I had an amazing lunch with my mother. (It was actually the best meal I have had in ..well, as long as I can remember.) I got to spend some time with my husband before the kids got home form school. Then last night some friends came over and brought me my favorite dinner and chocolate cake. What else could a girl ask for?
In case you are wondering…I don’t feel any older. And even though I am approaching the dreaded 4-0 soon, I still think I am a lot younger because my kids are so young. You see when my mom was this age, I was already 20 years old and in college and she had been a grandma for quite some time. Conversely, my oldest isn’t even into the double digits and I still have one nursing! So age is really a mind set. If you ask me. And there is no reason to be ashamed of your age. There is nothing you can do about it. (Now your weight is another story.) So I rejoice in the fact that I am another year older. It's better than the alternative.
So thank you everyone who wished me a good day. No matter if it was in the mail, on the phone or here on my computer. Your wishes came true and it was a good day. Now, go and have yourself a great day too--birthday or not.
And what about those well wishes? What is the appropriate way to send them these days? Are we supposed to send cards? Call our friends early in the morning to see who can be first to sing? Send a message or post on Facebook? What if Facebook didn’t remind you that it is someone’s special day would you have even known? Would you have even sent the greeting anyway?
Yes, you guessed it. Yesterday was my birthday. I spent it like any other day. I volunteered in my children’s classrooms in the morning. I had an amazing lunch with my mother. (It was actually the best meal I have had in ..well, as long as I can remember.) I got to spend some time with my husband before the kids got home form school. Then last night some friends came over and brought me my favorite dinner and chocolate cake. What else could a girl ask for?
In case you are wondering…I don’t feel any older. And even though I am approaching the dreaded 4-0 soon, I still think I am a lot younger because my kids are so young. You see when my mom was this age, I was already 20 years old and in college and she had been a grandma for quite some time. Conversely, my oldest isn’t even into the double digits and I still have one nursing! So age is really a mind set. If you ask me. And there is no reason to be ashamed of your age. There is nothing you can do about it. (Now your weight is another story.) So I rejoice in the fact that I am another year older. It's better than the alternative.
So thank you everyone who wished me a good day. No matter if it was in the mail, on the phone or here on my computer. Your wishes came true and it was a good day. Now, go and have yourself a great day too--birthday or not.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
High Priced Teachers
Are you sick of high paid teachers? Teachers’ hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or 10 months a year! It’s time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do - baby sit! We can get that for less than minimum wage.
That’s right. Let’s give them $3.00 an hour and pay them for only the hours they worked. We are not paying for planning time, lunch or any time they spend before or after school. So if she teaches from 8:00 until 3:00 that would only be a 7 hour day. But let‘s not forget that we are not going to pay them for prep and lunch. So let‘s say they work a six hour day. That means they should be paid ($3/hour X 6 hours) $18 a day. That would be cheaper than any day care in town.
So each parent should pay $18.00 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. My children’s teachers have an average of 30 students in class. So that means each teacher would make ($18 X 30) $540 a day.
Now let’s remember that teachers only work 185 days a year. There is no way I am paying them for weekends, vacations and breaks. So if each teacher is making $540/day, they should be making ($540 X185) $99,900 a year! What?!
What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master’s degrees? Anyone working in the cooperate world makes more when they have more education and training. So, we could give them a salary increase and pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 hours X 30 children X 185 days = $266,400 per year.
Wait a minute — there’s something wrong here! I am quite confident that the teachers at the nearby school do not make anywhere near $100,000 or $200,000 a year. If they did I would actually concider going back to work. The average teacher’s salary (nation wide) is significantly lower at $50,000.
Let‘s do that math and see what they are actually getting paid. $50,000/185 days = $270.00 a day. Divided by 30 children is $9.00 A DAY!! Not an hour…$9.00 a day. And if they only work their six hours a day, they would make $1.50 a hour. See if you can find a babysitter to work for that price AND educate your child in the process
That’s right. Let’s give them $3.00 an hour and pay them for only the hours they worked. We are not paying for planning time, lunch or any time they spend before or after school. So if she teaches from 8:00 until 3:00 that would only be a 7 hour day. But let‘s not forget that we are not going to pay them for prep and lunch. So let‘s say they work a six hour day. That means they should be paid ($3/hour X 6 hours) $18 a day. That would be cheaper than any day care in town.
So each parent should pay $18.00 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. My children’s teachers have an average of 30 students in class. So that means each teacher would make ($18 X 30) $540 a day.
Now let’s remember that teachers only work 185 days a year. There is no way I am paying them for weekends, vacations and breaks. So if each teacher is making $540/day, they should be making ($540 X185) $99,900 a year! What?!
What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master’s degrees? Anyone working in the cooperate world makes more when they have more education and training. So, we could give them a salary increase and pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 hours X 30 children X 185 days = $266,400 per year.
Wait a minute — there’s something wrong here! I am quite confident that the teachers at the nearby school do not make anywhere near $100,000 or $200,000 a year. If they did I would actually concider going back to work. The average teacher’s salary (nation wide) is significantly lower at $50,000.
Let‘s do that math and see what they are actually getting paid. $50,000/185 days = $270.00 a day. Divided by 30 children is $9.00 A DAY!! Not an hour…$9.00 a day. And if they only work their six hours a day, they would make $1.50 a hour. See if you can find a babysitter to work for that price AND educate your child in the process
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Norm
I am such a creature of habit. When Matt and I actually get to go on dates we always go to the same restaurant and I order the exact same thing every time. I fill the tank of the van not only at the same gas station but the same gas pump. I go through the same check out lane of the same grocery store and try to have the same cashier every time we go shopping.
There are even times when I sneak away and eat out for lunch. You guessed it… I go to the same restaurant, sit in the same booth with the same server and eat the same things off of the buffet table. We are regulars. When we walk in they greet us by name as I show myself to my usual spot.
Have you ever wondered why Norm and Cliff always went to the same bar and sat at the same barstools every week? (Besides the fact that it made for a good sitcom in the 90’s.) There is something to be said about the friendly-ness of everyone knowing your name. And not only knowing your name.
When we go out for lunch, the servers know more than my name. They know my children’s names. They even know each of my children’s specific allergies. I am convinced that they know our lists of general food issues than most of my family does. They make a special dish for each of them according to what they can and cannot consume--without me even having to request it.
But maybe I like my routines, habits and familiar servers for more reasons. Maybe it is because being known brings comfort.
I wonder if the character’s name in Cheers was “Norm” on purpose. Maybe there is something NORMal about everyone knowing your name. Maybe it is NORMal to feel like you are at home. NORMal to know you are welcomed and wanted.
Many people think it is funny that I have my particular routines. Matt makes fun of them as much as he can. And maybe eating at the same place, shopping at the same place and filling up the tank at the same place is a little crazy but at least I know I am loved.
There are even times when I sneak away and eat out for lunch. You guessed it… I go to the same restaurant, sit in the same booth with the same server and eat the same things off of the buffet table. We are regulars. When we walk in they greet us by name as I show myself to my usual spot.
Have you ever wondered why Norm and Cliff always went to the same bar and sat at the same barstools every week? (Besides the fact that it made for a good sitcom in the 90’s.) There is something to be said about the friendly-ness of everyone knowing your name. And not only knowing your name.
When we go out for lunch, the servers know more than my name. They know my children’s names. They even know each of my children’s specific allergies. I am convinced that they know our lists of general food issues than most of my family does. They make a special dish for each of them according to what they can and cannot consume--without me even having to request it.
But maybe I like my routines, habits and familiar servers for more reasons. Maybe it is because being known brings comfort.
I wonder if the character’s name in Cheers was “Norm” on purpose. Maybe there is something NORMal about everyone knowing your name. Maybe it is NORMal to feel like you are at home. NORMal to know you are welcomed and wanted.
Many people think it is funny that I have my particular routines. Matt makes fun of them as much as he can. And maybe eating at the same place, shopping at the same place and filling up the tank at the same place is a little crazy but at least I know I am loved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
June 2010
Four little monkies all lined up in a row!