Thom Andreae

We Shall Overcome

2012-02-18T15:27:00.000-05:00

Three weeks ago my sister Michele, (I know her as Shel) informed our family she had lung cancer. After the initial shock, we found a renewed interest, and love for one another. This became overwhelmingly evident yesterday when I told sis I wanted to take her for her chemotherapy and radiation treatments. At the time I didn’t think about the emotional impact it would have had on me. But today it did.

When entering the Oncology unit, I was introduced to Ann, one of the amazing RN nurses who connect her patients to the IV’s. Ann took us to a spacious light-filled room that accommodated several leather recliner chairs. Nearly all of the seats were filled with Chemo patients. Immediately my emotions got the best of me. I glanced around the room and saw women who were frail, hairless, and desperate, and a few men who were weak and lifeless. My overall impression was that of despair and helplessness. But then, I met Janelle and her husband Brad. Janelle and Shel had everything in common. They’re both receiving chemotherapy for cancer. Janelle was in therapy for breast cancer, Shel lung cancer. Being in such close proximity to one another, led me to ask Janelle what type of cancer she has and how long she’s been receiving therapy. She was quick to respond that this was her second day and that she only had a few days left. Her surgery took care of her cancer, and chemo was just a precautionary measure. I asked Janelle how she was feeling and she responding with an affirmative, “I feel good, considering.” I was inspired by Janelle’s positive attitude, and yet, I thought to myself, why does this have to be so different for my sister? Shel’s cancer is inoperable because it is so close to her heart. This leaves radiation and chemotherapy her only hope.

While Ann was passionately placing the IV port into my sister’s hand, we began cracking jokes about a little stuffed monkey my sister caries with her while in chemotherapy. His name is Chemo Man. After photographing Chemo Man in several locations around the facility, e.g., on top of a pink flamingo, on the recliner hooked up to his own IV, pictures with my family while they came to visit us, etc., I quickly realized Chemo Man was a way out for the pain my sister was feeling - a departure from the reality she and her husband Terry are experiencing. Perhaps my sister has a story to tell, a message to deliver. Or perhaps, God has a purpose for her life. While we spent the afternoon together reminiscing and reflecting on childhood stories, I shared with my sister the passage from Jeremiah 29:11, a passage Shel is very familiar with, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declared the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

For now, Shel and I are comforted in the reality that God does have a plan for all our lives, and that our plan is too narrow and one-dimensional to even begin to appreciate God’s depth of understanding. The one thing I know for sure is that God’s love for us is so great, that his son, Jesus, was crucified on the cross so that we can be saved from the evils of this world.

As for my sister, I believe she is carrying her own cross. Her courageousness inspires me. I am encouraged to see that my sister has the strength and the faith to conquer this disease. And she will with God’s grace.

Your prayers for my sister are greatly appreciated.

In Christ,

Thom

Are you happy?

2011-10-14T18:10:00.000-04:00

I'm reminded of Rick Warren's recent post - "The Bible teaches that happiness isn’t getting what you want. Happiness is being happy with what you have." Look at all the things God has given us. A family like no other, regardless of the fact that everyone doesn't see "eye-to-eye." I don't think we were ever intended for that. Our differences is what makes us unique, in spite of the fact we may have been raised in the same home. I thank God I lived in a home. How about our friends. Thank God we can pick them. For some, we wish we could say a quick prayer and ask God for redemption. Perhaps I wasn't thinking clearly when we asked Johnny to me my friend. Find a friend and spend some time with him. Chances are you'll need him more than he needs you. How about your job? Well, how about thanking God you have one. Do you drive a car? Thank God you have transportation. Haven't you seen your fellow sister on the side of the road stranded because her car wouldn't start? Did you stop to offer help? God would have. Do you have a neighbor? Chances are you do and they're only twenty feet from you. Do you know their name? Chances are you don't. Don't you think it's time to introduce yourself? Maybe offer to cut their lawn because you know they live alone and their husband left this earth to join Jesus.

Perhaps we have more to be thankful for than we realize. How about giving God the credit? I think He deserves it. We need to look around us and find the good. Find happiness. Embrace it and share it with someone, even if it's a complete stranger. Chances are, it will make YOU feel better.

By the way, the photo above is my good friend and step father-in-law, Johnny. I didn't ask him to be my father-in-law, but I did choose for him to be my friend.

Madame Butterfly

2011-07-29T18:31:00.000-04:00

For twenty minutes I focused in on the life of my little friend "Butterfly." Amazing how committed she was to the flowers. Ms. Butterfly saw something in the flowers I didn't. But, I saw something in her she may not know. Does she know the flowers need her as much as she needs the flowers- just as we need Christ.

Living On The Edge

2010-02-21T11:50:00.000-05:00

The message Pastor Mark delivered today was insightful and very powerful. So why do we as humans live on the edge in everything we do and say? We set boundaries on ourselves, at home, at work, at play, at school, just about everywhere in our daily lives. We establish boundaries that allows us to reach the limit, only to pull back and question, can we go further, or must we stop? We do this all the time, "don't we?" We eat to excess, only to say to ourselves, this is the limit, no more calories for today. Tomorrow's a new day. We tell our kids, we want them home by 11:00 pm, because that's their curfew. Have you ever known a child to come home before their curfew? How about when you loan your kid some money and you tell them this is all they get. Do they ever come back with money left? As a teacher, I set limits for my students every day, or at least I hope I do. "Mr. A, can I go to the restroom." Yes but just this once. "Mr. A, can I turn this assignment in tomorrow, I'm not quite done." Yes, just this once, don't make a habit of it.

The message - How do we Shape The Heart Of Our Children? Through integrity, modeling, perseverance, and the Lord's wisdom. James 1:5 states, If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

It's not too late to ask for God's wisdom. I can't be a good husband, parent, friend, or teacher well, without being a Christ-like example.

A Day Off

2010-02-10T08:52:00.000-05:00

I woke this morning to a gentle breeze whisking against the window screen. It was 5:45 AM, as I lay awake to see if school would be called off. By 6:15, all indications pointed toward the fact we would have school. After my morning routine, I got ready to head out to start the car, and I got the phone call. A little late I'd say. remember when you were a small kid, and you got the news from mom and dad that school was canceled? Well, school was canceled and I was going to stay home. Good news, you say? Today was the day I was going to have a substitute teacher take over for the last two hours of my class. you see, with good news, comes bad. Today is the day my wife's grandmother, Kirby, has her funeral. The good new is that she's at a better place, which the Lord has prepared.

This reminds me of a passage I read this morning in I Peter: Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Today the sun shines on our winter landscape, and life is good.

John 3:16

2010-02-03T21:14:00.000-05:00

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal live". This scripture hit home for me tonight at church. Do we act, or react to situations based out of love, like that of Jesus? D.C., thank you for the powerful message when you said, perhaps the only bible one may read is the bible you carry in your heart. I sure hope this holds true for me.

The Human Spirit of Teaching

2010-01-30T20:15:00.000-05:00

My AP Studio Art class took a field trip to Leo Burnett USA Advertising, Chicago. Inspired by their creative approach to embody good advertising, I walked away thinking how their philosophy can be applied to my classroom. I think it's all about the "Human Spirit." As educators, we need to define our attributes that applaud the accomplishments of our students. And, like Leo Burnett, we need to constantly rate ourselves - never accepting the status quo, but always raising the bar.

If we have eyes of a child and ask why; if we have the heart of a child and feel compassion; if we have hands of a craftsman and accept nothing but the best; it is then that our soul is content. So then, let's teach with SOUL.