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The True Measure of Success
I really wasn’t sure about writing a post this week. I’m definitely in a somber mood. Mother’s Day is just around the corner – my first Mother’s Day with both my precious mom and mother-in-law not being here. How do I feel about it all? I cannot even define it. Sometimes it is such an empty feeling as I consider all that has been lost in my life. I had such a terrific relationship with both women. Not having them to talk to is an ache that doesn’t seem to want to go away. At other times I can rejoice that they are in heaven and they suffer no more.…
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Did God Really Get This Right?
Some days my heart just aches for the traumas my students endure and how it affects, not only their learning, but also every aspect of their young lives. These precious little ones, each an amazing gift of God, are way too often mistreated, malnourished, ignored, upset, and the list goes on. I find it difficult to balance this all in my brain. Each of these children is loved by God – of that I am certain. Why must they lead lives of such pain at such a young age? Who is there to advocate for them? Why does this happen? I knew a little girl once. She was a quiet…
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Are We Living Only for the Future?
I just came off a grueling week. Parent teacher conferences made for very long days. My voice is hoarse from talking steady for those two evenings plus the full school days. All week my mantra has been that I just need to make it to the weekend. Even more so are my thoughts that if I just make it to spring break next week, I will be okay. There are so many times in my life when all I can think about is how I am going to get through the day…the week…the month. The truth is – it frequently isn’t any better when I get to the “date” that…
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How Can We Master Goal Setting with God’s Purpose in Mind?
Trying to teach my young students about goal setting is a difficult process. They very much live in the here and now. It’s hard to get them to imagine the students they will become as the year progresses. They get so caught up in meeting the needs and requirements of the day that looking any further can seem overwhelming. Do you ever feel like that? Is “I’ll think about it later” a huge part of your thought process? Is “I can barely manage the now, how am I supposed to think of setting goals for the future” included in your thinking? In many of my life stages those comments have…
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What Do You Do When You Crave Living Water?
We all have those days when fatigue runs rampant. We wonder how we will keep ourselves together, let alone care for someone else. How do we manage through challenging times when energy is thin and things are awry? Jesus had His share of up and down days. Ministry wasn’t easy in the cultural and political climate of His day. Yet, no matter what was going on, He kept on, teaching and offering care. In John He shares some amazing words that bring hope to our weary spirits: “On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him…
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God’s Son, Our Sacrifice
In numerous ways, my mother sacrificed to make my life better. She frequently went without things herself so I could gain an education and a better future. These sacrifices were driven by deep love and care. I have done the same as a parent. Our loving Savior made a sacrifice that cannot compare to anything we can do. While my mother made sacrifices by giving up things in life, Jesus gave up His very life for us. From the beginning God’s plan included Jesus dying for mankind’s sins. It is interesting that God allowed a brutal Roman crucifixion as the instrument for His wonderful plan of salvation.This centuries old practice…
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Finding Your Purpose in a World Full of Options
He is a man of great curiosity. Rather than hang out in the town square, he prefers the solace of the wilderness. His wardrobe is something out of a caveman movie. There are no glamorous meals or fancy parties in his life. He only wants a simple existence with one purpose – to proclaim the news of the coming Messiah and the salvation He will bring to all mankind. His role is foretold in Scripture: “See, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me.” (Malachi 3:1 NIV) In reading the Gospel of Mark, I am struck by John the Baptist’s narrow focus – to preach about…
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What is my Destiny?
The term “destiny” is discussed lots but do we really know what it means? The media would like to tell us that we need to find our perfect “destiny” – that we were built for a specific destiny and we should go after it. When I searched online, Google’s summary suggests the following: Finding your destiny involves aligning your daily actions with your core values, passions, and authentic self to create a fulfilling life. It requires introspection to identify your unique, natural talents, followed by consistent action, overcoming obstacles, and trusting the flow of life. Key steps include identifying what excites you, setting goals, and cultivating a supportive environment. That’s…
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Those Who Shape Us
This week would have been my mother’s birthday. This first year of not celebrating with her seems weird, sad, and unnatural. My mother was an integral part of my life for many reasons. Her faith, her joy, her contentment, her nurturing, and so much more have been impactful in my own life and as I reach out to care for others as wife, mother, and teacher. I came across a post I wrote for her birthday a few years ago. I hope that you can enjoy it with me as I remember her. She’s always there for me. Whether I am sharing my joys or my hurts, she listens without…
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When Life Goes on Auto Pilot
While living out in the country has many advantages, one downfall is the extra time spent driving to get anywhere. It’s a 45 minute drive to work. I have a 25 minute drive to church, to medical facilities, and to do major shopping. As I drive my winding country road to get to the main highway, I often find myself going for miles without really thinking about it. It is truly amazing how the brain operates. What an intricate design God made that allows me to drive my vehicle on a familiar road without consciously doing it. Yet it scares me at times to think about how far I drive…
