We're All Called

There's a song by Hillsong called, "Oceans." You probably know it and maybe you are as moved as I am by its lyrics. Let me share some of the words to remind you or just to gift you with these ideas. "You call me out upon the waters, the great unknown, where feet may fail, and there I find You in the mystery, in oceans deep my faith will stand." Isn't that just what God does? He calls us. He calls us to the unknown. But it's not unknown to Him. So if He is the hand you are  holding, if He is your anchor, if He is your pilot, then you don't have to be afraid of the unknown. One of you knows where you're going! Yes, we will sometimes feel like we are in an ocean and it's all we can do to keep our "eyes above the waves" but as the song says, "Your grace abounds in deepest waters, your sovereign hand will be my guide...You've never failed and You won't start now." I pray your week gives you the faith to trust the One Who Holds You and you feel His presence every day. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

Does It Really Matter What You Wear?

Usually I would answer, No. But in light of my thoughts today, my answer is, Yes.
In my classroom my kids would notice if I repeated an outfit during a week, new jewelry,
 or crazy socks I'd wear, just to entertain them! But I'm talking about what we can wear
for protection; things we should not leave home without. Last weekend we visited my
brother in law's church and he inspired me to give more thought to the Armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-20 may not be new to you but as you read or reread it, you will see that
what we really need to be concerned about wearing is the "Belt of Truth, the Breastplate
of Righteousness, the Sandals of Readiness to Share the Gospel, the Shield of Faith, the
Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit." Wear all these and cover them with
prayer. Give thought as to how to make this armor evident each day to all those around
you.These are way better than crazy socks! Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.

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