Thankfulness

I only need to look at the calendar or listen to the radio to turn my thoughts to the approaching holiday. I always loved Thanksgiving. What's not to love with a fantastic meal and less stress than the hustle and bustle of Christmas. Everyone talks about all the things they are thankful for and we try to model for our kids the importance of being thankful for everything we have; our abundance, health, home, etc. The older I get, my thankfulness changes. Not that I'm not thankful for all the things mentioned here, but maybe it's age that changes perspective. During a recent trip to my small hometown to bury my mother, I saw family I hadn't seen in forty years and special friends I've had for over fifty-five years! I realized how thankful I was to still have all of them; that each one is irreplaceable and filled my heart to overflowing. Imagine how much our Lord loves us. We love with a human heart and He IS love! He loves us so that we have love to pass around...whether to our family, students, or friends. He IS love so we HAVE love. I'm thankful His pure love depends on nothing I do but solely on His mercy and grace. His mercy, grace, and love. Now there are reasons to be grateful. Have a happy Thanksgiving; blessed by the Lord and highly favored.
Barb

Have No Fear of Bad News

What would it feel like to drive to work in the morning knowing no one could deliver bad news? That nothing anyone could say to you would be bad. No parent could question you, no administrator or principal could hand down one more responsibility or make you accountable for any more tasks. What if you could feel that assurance? Would you walk a little taller? Feel a little more confidence? Have some peace in your heart? Well, as a believer, you have a God that you can trust completely. You might falter during the day, you may fail to meet a deadline, you may use your words to hurt someone, or not use words to help someone. But every day, every slip, every sin, can be forgiven and we can trust that the Lord will pull us back up toward Him. Psalm 112:7 says, "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord." I believe we walk with His confidence and assurance; not that we won't ever get bad news, but we won't get it from the Lord. And when we do get it, He will walk with us and give us what we need to walk through it. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.
Barb

Oooo- Oooo Pick Me!

I remember asking questions in my classroom. Teachers ask a lot of questions. And then what do you do? I used to look around and decide just who I was going to call on for the answer. Do I call on the one who always gets it right? Do I call on someone ignoring me, hoping to "jar" them into paying attention? Do I call on someone who probably won't get it right but if they did it would boost their confidence? What's my purpose here? I would scan the crowd of desks and in a nanosecond I would weigh all the options and call out a name. My heart would rejoice at a correct answer or I'd feel a bit unsuccessful if someone got stumped. I would much rather hear the right answer and think I had taught them something. Compare that with God. It says in 2 Chronicles 16:9, "The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." He looks around to see who is ready; who needs what God has to give to finish His work on earth. Who is willing? Who knows the desires of God's heart and needs His strength to complete the work? Personally, I want to be the one with my hand waving in the air like our students do when they're bursting with eagerness to get the teacher's attention. I want the Lord to see me and count on me to do His work. Isn't that our job? Isn't that why we're here? To glorify Him? To develop that relationship with Him so that we know His desires and how to serve Him? Pick me, Teacher! Pick me, Lord! Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored,
Barb

Strength for the Asking

I have a pillow that is embroidered with Scripture. It says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13." I have read it a thousand times, I've heard it in sermons, and I've heard people in conversations say that they rely on Christ's strength when they have none. But how does that work? How do we actually get strength from Christ? I believe the answer lies in a promise Jesus made two thousand years ago. He knew He would be leaving this earth but promised a Holy Spirit would take his place. We are promised that when we accept Jesus as our Savior the Holy Spirit takes up residence inside us. That's what gives us the "strength for the asking" when we think we have none. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to us...through that same Spirit that indwells every believer. So every morning when you think you can't face whatever trial is ahead of you, seek the face of Jesus, God's loving arms, and the power of the Holy Spirit. God is in control of your day and He has way more resources than you do! Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.
Barb

Prayer

If you're anything like me, prayer isn't new to you. What IS new to me is this idea: Prayer is not specific words said at a prescribed time in a certain way. Prayer is a relationship with the Lord. It is continuous and can be as easy and automatic as breathing. It is where we start every morning and end every night. It happens when we are thankful and when we are full of fear; hurting, discouraged, happy or sad. Our God wants to hear from us when everything is going well or when we're overwhelmed. He will listen to our anger and loves to hear our praises. All He wants is to deepen the relationship we have with Him and when we pray, we are communicating with the One who is sovereign and in control. Whatever our circumstances are, good, bad, or ugly, God is still good. He doesn't change just because we do. He is constant, faithful, and all His promises are true. So try lifting every "thing" to the Lord today and give Him the burdens, thank Him for His blessings, and praise Him for who He is. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.
Barb