It Sets Handy

When I would ask my mother for something or wonder where something was, she would reply, "It sets handy." That meant it was right there, within reach or where I could see it easily. There is a verse I read this morning that reminded me of that. It is from Psalm 16:8. It says, "I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." How  many times a day do I forget that the Lord "sets handy"? He is always right there, within reach, and although I can't see Him easily, the promise is that He IS there. And really, when I look for Him, I can find Him in many ways and many places. It would benefit me to remember that wherever I am, alone, or surrounded by a room full of students, the Lord, My Strength and My Rock, "sets handy." Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
2 Peter 1:2

What is This Day Really About?

How many times in a day do you look at the clock, a calendar, a schedule on the board, or respond to a bell or an announcement? I have to admit that even in retirement, I use my daily planner all the time. I check it first thing in the morning to see if there are appointments scheduled or just some free time. Then, being a teacher at heart, I enjoy checking off things as they are accomplished. But what is my day really about? How should it start? What's really important and will I get to it? Isn't each day a gift from the "Giver"? Isn't my purpose really to honor and glorify Him all through my day? What can I do today to serve Him, honor Him, and give Him glory? I need to remember that amidst all my responsibilities and busy schedule, the day, each day, is really about God. I trust Him with my schedule and everything on my list. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

                                                                      Huddle In

What do you "huddle in" around you? I used to have morning meetings when I was teaching. I would sit on my comfy chair while crossed legs and smiles  made a circle in front of me. (I would have been on the floor with them if I could have gotten up!) I loved "huddling" in with them. It felt like if we "huddled" closer, we were set apart and we belonged together; connected, like a family. I do that now, at home but I huddle in with my books and my writing and I have found that what I "huddle" with are the important things in my life. What do you "huddle" with? Do we bring Jesus into our "huddle"? Whatever we "huddle" with, Jesus will fit. We need to belong and be connected to Him above all. Read in John 15 about the vine that we, as branches, are connected to and how without that connection, we can do nothing. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

                                                            What's in a Name?
Quite possibly many of you learned some new names last week. The trick now is to remember them all. Your students have one name to remember but you...well you have many. Besides the Miss, Mrs., or Mr. you hear most often, do they sometimes call you "Teacher", or even "Mom", or I remember being called "Grandma" more than once. Early in my career I corrected many students every time they called me "Teacher", reminding them of my proper name. Then one day it occurred to me, I AM their teacher, and I love being their teacher, so who does it hurt if they call me that? Our Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have many names too. Think of as many as you can. (Father, Holy God, Redeemer, Savior, Rock, Refuge, Anchor, Comforter, and hundreds more.) I'm pretty sure we use different names to call on God depending on what's on our  mind or what we're asking for. I'm thinking because our God is so many things to us, we see Him in many roles and He delights in hearing from us when we call upon Him. Your students see you in many loving ways too. Enjoy being their Teacher this week. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

If you are a seasoned teacher, the past week may have seemed like very familiar repetition. You unpacked, arranged, and set up a room that would be welcoming to your students. If you are a new teacher, you did all that plus you were probably filled with a mixture of excitement and fear! Either way, I would invite you to do one more thing for your room. Invite the Holy Spirit to be a part of your preparation and eventually your life in that room. Invite Him to surround your students. Invite Him to hold you up. Invite Him to inspire you when you have no energy. Let Him guide your words and works and trust that you will feel His presence every day. I pray for God to reveal Himself to you from start to finish. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.
Barb

Easy Access

Where do you wish you could go? How often would you want to go? How easy should the trip be? What I'm thinking of right now is easy access to my neighbor's house! There is one common neighbor's backyard separating the two of us and in the summer we can walk through grass and a few stray bushes and within a minute, we can be sitting together over iced tea and hilarious conversation. I love it. It's like an extension of  my own yard and the years of friendship are evident to both of us. But in the winter, deep snow and lately, perilous ice, have prohibited easy access for both of us. I really miss that! I can still walk down the driveway, follow the sidewalk, and climb her driveway and there I am, but that easy access in the backyard has become the norm. Easy access may be something I will continue to seek the older I become. But think of the easy access we have to our Father-all year long. Deep snow, perilous ice, pelting rain, nothing matters. No backyard extends our access and with a repentant heart and faith in Jesus as our newborn Redeemer, God is accessible every minute of every day. It couldn't be easier. Remember to "access" Him this busy season. He doesn't get too busy for us and longs for us as His children. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored. Merry Christmas. Barb

Path of My Prayers

The path I cut with our snow blower takes nothing more than a pull of the starter and a little gas and oil. No pleading or communication needed. The conversation I have with my cousin after not speaking to her in person for months, requires no effort because our relationship consists of one long conversation with very long pauses. But what about the path of my prayers? For me, that takes a little effort and some words; very specific words that will clear the path and open a way for my words to make their way to God's ear. Clutter falls into my life and chokes out goodness and forgiveness leaving behind the litter that will stand in the way of the petitions and thanks I am trying to pray. In order for my prayers to be acceptable to God, even with my Precious Savior interceding for me, I need to clear out the clutter and debris that is in the way. That means I start my prayers with confession. I ask the Lord to reveal to me any unconfessed sin that is in me so I can confess it. I declare my forgiveness for others so I can be open to His forgiveness for me. That begins to open the path of my prayers so I can present my thanks, praise, and petitions and nothing will be standing in the way to stop my prayers. We are in a season full of reasons to pray often and love much. Keep prayer paths open. We don't want to miss one thing the Lord has in store for us. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.
Barb