Ahhh so the week has arrived -- high stakes testing week in Louisiana. I was nervous, then I got over myself and just put it in God's hands. I have done my job. We can only work with what we get. We only have so much influence, and so many hours in the day. Many of my friends have sent messages of encouragement, I think they know how pressurized I generally feel this time of year (lol!). No matter what happens though, I know, that at the end of the day, I have poured myself out for my students.
However the most important message I got this week, was from my sister, and it was something my MUCH older, lol, and wiser brother in law had shared with Kim. This is NOT the test that tells us if we get into heaven or not... Wow! He is right. This is not the most important test in the world. This test is a small measure of some 'successes, and even in some cases where it may look like a failure, if you take a good look at what they came to us with, we will see growth. However it does not measure maturity, it does not measure kindness or patience, it does not even take into account life issues that children have dealt with. It is just a measure.
I am so glad that Kim shared Bryan's statement with me. It was a "lightbulb moment" for me. It reminded me, that we are working with little humans, not just numbers. And most of all, it reminded me to trudge ahead this week, and try to use an extra dose of patience, kindness, and gentleness in the classroom, as I know these littles are feeling the weight of "the test." Father God, as always, open my eyes, that I may see your plans more clearly....
Whatever your "tests or trials" are this week, I pray that you remember that there is a bigger test in life... and if we fail, in the way we treat people... all other tests really don't matter much! Peace
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Beautiful Things
You make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of the dust... You make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of us....
I really love that song right now, it reminds me that God will finish the good work he started in us. I haven't written in a while. Around Christmas time I began feeling sort of pressed in and pushed down by the world. I went through a rough spot where I just got complacent. That's really not a great place to be, and oddly enough
a message from an athiest friend is what reminded me that I needed to get myself right with God again. We can run, but we can't hide from God's love.
Makes me think of Saul/Paul in the bible. I love how God took a man who once persecuted Christians, knocked him off his horse and gave him new vision and purpose...That's what I'm praying for these days: New vision and purpose.
In 1 Cor. 9:19-23 Paul states: 19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
I'm not sure that I have made myself "slave to everyone" but I feel like it's a direction that I should be heading. I want to live like that... to do ALL THIS for the SAKE of the GOSPEL, that I may SHARE in its BLESSINGS.
Father God, let me run the good race and let me not grow weary. Focus me on your plans and purposes. Save me from my selfish pride, teach me your ways. Renew my spirit, and let things oppose your work in me, melt away. Most of all, thank you, for never giving up on me. I trust you in all things. Amen
I really love that song right now, it reminds me that God will finish the good work he started in us. I haven't written in a while. Around Christmas time I began feeling sort of pressed in and pushed down by the world. I went through a rough spot where I just got complacent. That's really not a great place to be, and oddly enough
a message from an athiest friend is what reminded me that I needed to get myself right with God again. We can run, but we can't hide from God's love.
Makes me think of Saul/Paul in the bible. I love how God took a man who once persecuted Christians, knocked him off his horse and gave him new vision and purpose...That's what I'm praying for these days: New vision and purpose.
In 1 Cor. 9:19-23 Paul states: 19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
I'm not sure that I have made myself "slave to everyone" but I feel like it's a direction that I should be heading. I want to live like that... to do ALL THIS for the SAKE of the GOSPEL, that I may SHARE in its BLESSINGS.
Father God, let me run the good race and let me not grow weary. Focus me on your plans and purposes. Save me from my selfish pride, teach me your ways. Renew my spirit, and let things oppose your work in me, melt away. Most of all, thank you, for never giving up on me. I trust you in all things. Amen
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