Have you ever tossed and turned through the night, unable to sleep, trying to figure out how your circumstances are going to be resolved?
Good news! We do not have to know the how's in our time of need. 2 Peter 2:9 says "The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials." We do not have to have all the answers, we just need to take care of the what's.
But what if we don't even know what to do? Then do what you know: read the Bible, pray, worship, praise, seek wise counsel. These are the things all believers are called to do -- in seasons of trial and in seasons of calm.
God will take care of the rest. Determine to trust Him.
*This insight is from Beth Moore's study Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Students
The year before I retired from public school teaching, God and I had a lot of talks. While I was eager to leave the bureaucracy and politics that have encroached on the creativity of both students and teachers, leaving my students was another matter.
I loved them like they were my own children, and I was going to miss interacting with them. God assured me there would be other students, and there have been. I taught summer school in 2005, thoroughly enjoying the 12 juniors who were in that class. I've been able to catch up with many former students on Facebook, and it has been so fun to learn what they are doing now.
Having spent my career at the middle and high school levels, I never thought that my heart would be captured by kindergartners, but that is exactly what happened during VBS. The week was a hectic one, but all I remember is five sweet smiles and eager faces filled with the wonder of exploring and learning. They love God, and I pray that faith will deepen as they mature, that they will walk with Jesus all the days of their lives.
God keeps His promises, and I am blessed!
I loved them like they were my own children, and I was going to miss interacting with them. God assured me there would be other students, and there have been. I taught summer school in 2005, thoroughly enjoying the 12 juniors who were in that class. I've been able to catch up with many former students on Facebook, and it has been so fun to learn what they are doing now.
Having spent my career at the middle and high school levels, I never thought that my heart would be captured by kindergartners, but that is exactly what happened during VBS. The week was a hectic one, but all I remember is five sweet smiles and eager faces filled with the wonder of exploring and learning. They love God, and I pray that faith will deepen as they mature, that they will walk with Jesus all the days of their lives.
God keeps His promises, and I am blessed!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Children and Kids
Sunday's vacation Bible school memory verse was 1 John 3:1 "God loves us and calls us His children."
D., one of the kindergarteners, memorized it this way: "God loves us and calls us His kids."
There is something warmly familiar in that translation, something comfortable and confident. As a little child trusts that his daddy will spend time with him, teach him, and provide for him, we, too, can place in our faith and trust in our Heavenly Daddy -- Abba Father.
D., one of the kindergarteners, memorized it this way: "God loves us and calls us His kids."
There is something warmly familiar in that translation, something comfortable and confident. As a little child trusts that his daddy will spend time with him, teach him, and provide for him, we, too, can place in our faith and trust in our Heavenly Daddy -- Abba Father.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Waiting
We are often reminded to "wait upon the Lord." But do we ever think about God waiting upon us?
Isaiah 30:18a says, "The Lord will wait that he may be gracious to you, and therefore he will be exalted that he may have mercy upon you. . ."
Today's devotion in the wonderful Streams in the Desert states: "God is a wise gardener 'who waits for the precious fruit of the earth and has long patience for it.' He can not gather fruit until it is ripe. He knows when we are spiritually ready to receive the blessing to our profit and His glory."
God created time, and God uses time. While He waits for us, may we also wait for Him in the blessings and trials of our lives.
Isaiah 30:18a says, "The Lord will wait that he may be gracious to you, and therefore he will be exalted that he may have mercy upon you. . ."
Today's devotion in the wonderful Streams in the Desert states: "God is a wise gardener 'who waits for the precious fruit of the earth and has long patience for it.' He can not gather fruit until it is ripe. He knows when we are spiritually ready to receive the blessing to our profit and His glory."
God created time, and God uses time. While He waits for us, may we also wait for Him in the blessings and trials of our lives.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Catching Up
Where have I been for the last two months? What have I been doing?
January 18-31 finished the GKCWP newsletter, took it to the printer, picked it up, affixed address labels and mailing tabs -- my dear husband took all 100+ of them to the post office.
February 10 awoke with a strange pinching in my neck that traveled to my elbow A chiropractic adjustment and massage seemed to solve the problem.
February 12 flew to Chicago to meet some Literary Mamas and attend the American Writers and Poets conference, after which I planned on spending a few days with my sister who lives north of the Windy City.
February 13 awoke in tremendous pain -- spent the morning rearranging my flight, beseeching the hotel staff not to charge me for another night, spending an agonizing morning at the airport, wishing someone would tranquilize me during the flight home
February 14- 25 Lay in bed, on my back, studying the patterns in the textured ceiling of my bedroom.
February 26 an MRI reveals dengenerative problems in my neck. Sigh!
March 13 two cervical epidural steroid injections later, I am typing this, counting my blessings.
January 18-31 finished the GKCWP newsletter, took it to the printer, picked it up, affixed address labels and mailing tabs -- my dear husband took all 100+ of them to the post office.
February 10 awoke with a strange pinching in my neck that traveled to my elbow A chiropractic adjustment and massage seemed to solve the problem.
February 12 flew to Chicago to meet some Literary Mamas and attend the American Writers and Poets conference, after which I planned on spending a few days with my sister who lives north of the Windy City.
February 13 awoke in tremendous pain -- spent the morning rearranging my flight, beseeching the hotel staff not to charge me for another night, spending an agonizing morning at the airport, wishing someone would tranquilize me during the flight home
February 14- 25 Lay in bed, on my back, studying the patterns in the textured ceiling of my bedroom.
February 26 an MRI reveals dengenerative problems in my neck. Sigh!
March 13 two cervical epidural steroid injections later, I am typing this, counting my blessings.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Tyler
Tyler was one of those people who was not cut out for the one-size-fits-all routine of public education. He's brilliant and thoughtful -- quiet and unassuming -- and I'm sure school bored him much of the time because typical busy work (a bane to any student) did not tap into those deep places of his intellect or creativity. A fine arts school would have been more to his liking, I imagine -- a place where he could excel in music and theatre production with like-minded classmates and teachers.
His parents expectations and demands, while well meaning, did not recognize that their son marched to the beat of a different drummer. While I tried to offer him something substantial (as, I'm sure, other teachers did), he didn't always respond to those opportunities. Yet, Tyler is one of my most memorable students.
While in England, I bought a cardboard model of The Globe Theatre and about half-way through its assembly, I gave up on it. When I asked my freshman if anyone would be interested in helping me, it was not until seventh hour, Tyler said, "I can do that for you." I remember the day he stayed after school to work on it, chatting with me freely and comfortably.
It was my good fortune to have Tyler in one of my junior English classes two years later -- still remember smiling when I saw his name on the class roster! That fall he read the part of Danforth in The Crucible with such finesse and expression that I called on him every day to take that part! His skill was beyond his years! And to a teacher who had listened to dozens of teenagers butcher Miller (and Shakespeare) over the years, his delivery was as welcome as a spring breeze on the edge of winter.
Every morning before the first bell during his senior year, Tyler and a group of friends (most my students) could be found in the 900 hall (near my room). Between book bags and long limbs, the 10 of them (give or take) sprawled across the floor. Some were annoyed by having to step over, through or around them, but I was always glad to see their camaraderie, their smiles.
Recently, I found him on Facebook and am delighted to catch up on what he's doing now. God's blessings to you, Tyler, for pressing on through the challenges of high school and family dynamics and for helping make my years as your teacher two of my favorite!
His parents expectations and demands, while well meaning, did not recognize that their son marched to the beat of a different drummer. While I tried to offer him something substantial (as, I'm sure, other teachers did), he didn't always respond to those opportunities. Yet, Tyler is one of my most memorable students.
While in England, I bought a cardboard model of The Globe Theatre and about half-way through its assembly, I gave up on it. When I asked my freshman if anyone would be interested in helping me, it was not until seventh hour, Tyler said, "I can do that for you." I remember the day he stayed after school to work on it, chatting with me freely and comfortably.
It was my good fortune to have Tyler in one of my junior English classes two years later -- still remember smiling when I saw his name on the class roster! That fall he read the part of Danforth in The Crucible with such finesse and expression that I called on him every day to take that part! His skill was beyond his years! And to a teacher who had listened to dozens of teenagers butcher Miller (and Shakespeare) over the years, his delivery was as welcome as a spring breeze on the edge of winter.
Every morning before the first bell during his senior year, Tyler and a group of friends (most my students) could be found in the 900 hall (near my room). Between book bags and long limbs, the 10 of them (give or take) sprawled across the floor. Some were annoyed by having to step over, through or around them, but I was always glad to see their camaraderie, their smiles.
Recently, I found him on Facebook and am delighted to catch up on what he's doing now. God's blessings to you, Tyler, for pressing on through the challenges of high school and family dynamics and for helping make my years as your teacher two of my favorite!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Laughter
Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." This verse came to mind throughout the past week, beginning with an incident at Wal-mart.
I was in the restroom there when a stall door opened, and a little boy and his mom stepped out. The boy (about 3) had a big yellow smiley face sticker on the end of his nose. I couldn't help but smile at him. He acted like it was the most natural thing in the world! Wish I had had my camera!
I've been trying to write more about my years as a teacher, and these two memories popped up:
One hundred years ago teachers did not keep their grades on a computer. Instead, we kept a grade book. When it was grade card time, we had to hand write the grade cards. One particular quarter, the staff was directed to put our students grade cards in their first hour teachers' mail box, as cards would be distributed by them. (As I write this, it makes no sense. Why didn't each teacher hand out her own cards?) Anyway, I had dutifully made a note to remind me to get those names, and at the end of first hour, I walked to the front of the room and said, "I need to get the name of your first hour teacher." The kids burst out laughing, and for a second, I didn't see why. Then I realized what I had done -- and laughed with them.
Apparently, I am always slow on the upbeat: Here's an even more embarrassing moment. Upon returning to school after a couple of sick days, I found a mechanical nut on my desk. I thought nothing more about it until sixth hour, when for some reason, I asked my journalism class, which included three or four football players, "Did any of you lose a nut?" They all burst out laughing --howling, really. They were such a rowdy group anyway, and I was a bit irritated by their behavior. So, I said, "Well, did you or didn't you?" Of course, that set them off even more! Suddenly, I realized why they were laughing! All I can blame it on was that I was about 8 months pregnant.:)
I pray that if your heart is troubled today, God will give you something to lighten it. If your heart is merry, I pray you will share that joy with someone.
I was in the restroom there when a stall door opened, and a little boy and his mom stepped out. The boy (about 3) had a big yellow smiley face sticker on the end of his nose. I couldn't help but smile at him. He acted like it was the most natural thing in the world! Wish I had had my camera!
I've been trying to write more about my years as a teacher, and these two memories popped up:
One hundred years ago teachers did not keep their grades on a computer. Instead, we kept a grade book. When it was grade card time, we had to hand write the grade cards. One particular quarter, the staff was directed to put our students grade cards in their first hour teachers' mail box, as cards would be distributed by them. (As I write this, it makes no sense. Why didn't each teacher hand out her own cards?) Anyway, I had dutifully made a note to remind me to get those names, and at the end of first hour, I walked to the front of the room and said, "I need to get the name of your first hour teacher." The kids burst out laughing, and for a second, I didn't see why. Then I realized what I had done -- and laughed with them.
Apparently, I am always slow on the upbeat: Here's an even more embarrassing moment. Upon returning to school after a couple of sick days, I found a mechanical nut on my desk. I thought nothing more about it until sixth hour, when for some reason, I asked my journalism class, which included three or four football players, "Did any of you lose a nut?" They all burst out laughing --howling, really. They were such a rowdy group anyway, and I was a bit irritated by their behavior. So, I said, "Well, did you or didn't you?" Of course, that set them off even more! Suddenly, I realized why they were laughing! All I can blame it on was that I was about 8 months pregnant.:)
I pray that if your heart is troubled today, God will give you something to lighten it. If your heart is merry, I pray you will share that joy with someone.
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