You Get What You Get

Good morning, boys and girls. It's my opportunity once again to bring you the story. I know all of us started school once again. And it made me think, I like to read this book to my students. You Get What You Get. To remind them about rules at school and how we behave. I know you see David right behind me, and I hope you make better choices than what David does sometimes.

You Get What You Get.

Melvin did not deal well with disappointments. If his cookie had half as many chocolate chips as his sister’s, look out! If he lost his turn during a game, stand back! If he didn't get exactly what he wanted, well, you know.

Sorry, Melvin, they were out of dinosaur backpacks. No, Melvin did not deal well with disappointments. And this is why he hated his teacher's favorite rule. You get what you get and you don't throw a fit.

Because of this rule, Melvin could not throw a fit if he had to use crayons instead of markers. He could not throw a fit if he ended up last in line. He couldn't even throw a fit if his napkin was pink instead of green. "Oh well," mumbled Melvin, "at least I can still throw a fit at home. My family doesn't know a thing about this terrible rule."

But that night, when it was Melvin's turn to choose a movie, things changed. As soon as he decided, Dinosaur Rumble, his sister stomped her foot and whined. But I want to watch a pony called Trouble. Bah! You get what you get and you don't throw a fit, said Melvin.

Everyone stopped and looked at Melvin. What did you say? asked dad. You get what you get and you don't throw a fit, repeated Melvin. So if your cookie only has a few chocolate chips, you shouldn't throw a fit? asked his sister. And if you lose a turn during the game, you shouldn't throw a fit? asked dad. And if the dinosaur backpacks are all sold out, you should be happy with the robot one. And you absolutely should not throw a fit, asked his mother.

Melvin thought. There was no way to take it back. Everyone knew. Well, I mean, at school, you shouldn't throw a fit because that's the rule. "At home you can," he said. "That sounds like a good rule for at home too," said Dad. "I agree," said Mom. "Home and school, that is the rule," his sister chanted.

Melvin wanted to cry. He wanted to shout. He wanted to lie down on the ground and throw his arms and legs out, but he didn't. After all, you get what you get and you don't throw a fit.

Boys and girls, do you remember that God, Jesus is always around us and we have angels all around us? We shouldn't be throwing fits.

We get what we get. We know sometimes we don't get what we want, but that's okay. We will get it. I hope the story, Melvin, reminds us all that sometimes we don't always get what we want. We don't need to throw a fit because after all, we are God's children and we should be modeling what he showed us to do. Okay, boys and girls, let's bow our heads.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you, dear Lord, for allowing us to begin another school year. Thank you for all the friends that we have. Thank you for our teachers. Help us, dear Lord, to be good listeners and never throw fits, either at home or at school. Keep us safe and always protect us. Help us to be more like Jesus, for we pray in your name. Amen.

Bye, boys and girls. Till next time.