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Hope for the Seeker
A new school year. For the most part, my students are eager to be at school and hopeful they will succeed and enjoy their year. They look forward to all the adventures the school year brings. I also have many hopes and dreams for my students. I want to build a strong classroom community and I want them to grow and learn throughout the year. I hope that they will be caring and kind to one another. My aim is that they will become the best students possible. Do these hopes come to fruition if I sit and do nothing? Not at all. It takes many hours of hard work…
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Reaping a Harvest
The day was sunny and bright as we returned from a short camping trip. As we approached our deck, something was amiss. The lovely flowers that had graced my entry way now looked smashed. My first thought was about what creature might have been at my plants. But then it dawned on me – there had been severe weather when we were camping, perhaps it hit at home as well. With trepidation I went out to my large garden, fearing what storm evidence I would find. Sure enough, hail had wreaked havoc to most of my plants and fruit trees. I cried. And then I had moments of just wanting…
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Getting Things in Focus
The trees start their dance as the wind picks up speed. Soon the rain joins the chorus and the active weather is upon us. As we sit in our RV in a campground, my uncertain feelings escalate as I read the weather app on my phone – tornado warning! While praying, I look for something to distract me, but the puzzle book I grab does little to help. My thoughts are all still over the place. My mind teems with anxiety as I consider all the unpleasant possibilities. The “what ifs” take hold. I am akin to the tight rope walker who is told not to look…
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Forget What is Behind
Often, I read and take to heart Paul’s words in Philippians “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14 NIV) I am a goal-oriented person and this verse appeals to me. I like the idea of working towards something. Of course, I know I cannot earn salvation – that is God’s free gift. I do like the encouragement this verse brings to keep on going in the walk of faith – knowing that God has the “prize” awaiting me as I look heavenward. What I often don’t consider is the verse that comes prior to this…
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Reminders
Do you ever have times where things from the past just nag at you? It seems that some days, my past comes back to haunt me. I want to leave those bad feelings/experiences in their place – they are past and done – yet they seem to rise up and integrate themselves into my life in the present, far more than I would like. It is not just the big items that weasel themselves into my day-to-day thinking. Some days it seems like I can remember every little thing that has gone wrong in my life. The devil loves to parade a list of our wrongdoings past us. He wants…
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A Beautiful Spirit
“Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” (1 Peter 3:4 ESV) I grew up with this verse demonstrated to me daily. My mother, a precious gift from God, has a wonderful gentle and quiet spirit. I am truly blessed by her example. She lives a life of faith and hope. My whole life, her bright blue eyes have shone Christ’s light into my life. She has surrounded me with love and support. I am who I am today because of the foundation she laid. Although frail and elderly now, my mother…
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Fan the Flame
The embers flick about, tossed about by the breeze. The fire slowly dies out as the ashen logs deteriorate. Before long, only a shadow of the former fire remains. Blow on the fire and it strengthens. What almost dies out comes back to life. With adequate fuel, the oxygen brings vibrancy back to the flames. Our Christian walk is similar. In 2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV) the apostle Paul addresses Timothy, a young pastor: “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Timothy has a gift from God. What particular gift, we do not…
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Absolute Joy
A little girl stands at the top of a hill. All around her are children, filled with glee as they go racing down through the snow with their sleds. She is uncertain. It is all so strange to her. Only weeks ago, she was in the hot, arid climate of Africa. She has had to adjust to many things since her move to our country. Our cold winter is a shock to her. Her experience with snow is limited and sledding is a large unknown. One of the staff on outside recess supervision approaches her with a sled. I can see the discussion and the sign language as the…
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An Undivided Heart
Back in the days when my twins were toddlers our life was hectic. One of my biggest challenges was keeping up with two active little people who each had minds of their own. Inevitably, we would go outside and each of them would take off after their own pursuits. My heart was divided – which twin do I chase after? It agonized me at times to think that, while I was getting one child to safety, the other might be getting into serious trouble. The conflict in my mind was great. I felt so much easier when I had the two of them inside, in a single safe confined location.…
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Praying in the Storm
The snow swirls around as a storm engulfs our area. Visibility wanes and mobility suffers. Paths that were easy to walk yesterday are now impassable. Going outdoors involves multiple layers of clothing and lots of shovelling. The weather outside goes along with my mood. The challenging circumstances of life right now engage me in a constant battle of trying to move forward in this blizzard that is my life. How do I take steps ahead on what seems to be an impenetrable road? My prayers focus on the topic of imploring the Lord to change my circumstances. Over and over I beg God to fix what is wrong or remove…
