I hope this post finds you doing well post Thanksgiving. The past few months have been a whirl wind and I am happy to say my Shuman's and I have begun to set into a routine finally.
I absolutely love my new job and responsibilities at the private school. God always knows what He is doing and He placed me in the right place. I was heading toward burn out, through no fault but my own. My personality and my last position could only couple for so long. The kids are still in the preschool and learning so much. Little man, his vocabulary is blossoming every day, or as much as it can for a 2 year old. Little miss is so bright and sassy, she has her best friend and her favorite teachers. Drop off has gradually gotten easier with time - I must confess, that has been the hardest thing for me. Not being with them all day. I now know what most parent's who utilize childcare have experienced.
But at the same time I have discovered a better sense of my self. Eventually both kids will join me at the Academy. But they rarely, if ever will see me, so I will still have anonymity while being with them. The morning commute to work and the afternoon commute to get them are cherished moments I have needed. In the afternoon's I have discovered a pastor out of Beaumont who preaches the word, teaches so Hebrew grammar and always has a message that hits the heart. Hearing that after a successful day at work is a great refresher before an evening at home with my littles.
Along with the change in career, my spiritual life has been transformed. At the beginning of August or so of this year our pastor challenged people to join what the pastoral staff called, The Joshua Team. It stems from Exodus 33:11
11 So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.
Our Pastor challenged those who wanted to join to commit to 30 minutes of prayer a day, with daily Bible Reading. It was a 40 day initiative. To start, there were 8 verses one was to read though to focus the mind. One was to read a Proverb (the date of the month) and a Psalm (day number of the initiative) and to work through 1 John (would read through it 8 times during the 40 days). The hope was that after the individual would have developed a lifelong habit. Our Pastor mentioned it through September and encouraged people to develop a plan for after and to come up with life verses to commit to memory. About 2 weeks in, over 500 people had signed up to participate.
Today was day 104 for me. I began my 40 days on my first day of my new job. I read Revelation twice after the first 40 days, which took me through day 84, and now I am 20 days into my 3rd 40 day set. I am working my way through the Gospel (will get me through most of the Spring semester). I have developed my 8 life verses I read every day.
And on top of that, starting in October I added scripture writing - which is amazing. So I read my 8 life verses, read my Proverb, Psalm and currently Gospel chapter (I am in Matthew), and then I work on writing scriptures. It being November, I found a thanksgiving writing plan. I will settle on my December one by Tuesday of this next week. It allows me to read a portion of verses (usually around 5), write them and think on them. The act of writing the verses makes them more real to me, I have to pay attention to the words.
On top of all this I am reading for pleasure. And trying to write more. I do want to be published by 33 and have several book ideas in my head, with one started on paper.
During this time....an election occurred. To say it was interesting would be an understatement. I have never been more excited for an election to be complete. It will be interesting to see how 2016 is recorded in the history books 30, 50, 75 years from now. So much hostility, friction, division, and animosity. People are still hurting, and probably will be for some time. There is denial and resentment, and smugness even from some. My thoughts on the whole thing are this:
- We as a country are divided. And we have done it to ourselves.
- We have put our hope in our politicians and elected leaders.
- We have stayed silent and sat back because it was easier.
- We have what we have because we deserve it.
Those are some hard truths to swallow. But we have given up our liberties for the illusion of security. And therefore we really have neither.
As a believer, this is what I hold true:
- This world is not my home.
- No man on earth can save me.
- My hope must rest in Jesus and His kingdom to come.
- As a believer, my life is to show fruits, and my actions show and grow those fruits.
Sister's (and any Brother's reading) we have to stop sitting back. We need to be harvesters in the field. We need to work. The Christian life is not meant to be a cushy position. It takes work, it takes sweat, it takes loss, and sacrifice. We are to be an example of Christ in this broken world. He came to serve not be served. Therefore, how are you serving? How are you helping? Give your time and talents. If you are tired of believers in the faith being persecuted stand up. If you are tired of being dismissed by the media, put your voice out there. If you are not being heard, it is because you are being silent. It might cost you, more than likely it will, but it is better to pay the price then be denied by Christ before the Father.
As we go into the holidays, with Christmas, New Year, and colder weather, lets focus on brotherly love. Let us help each other. Look for ways to lend a hand, give some cookies, or donate a blanket. Most churches have programs going, as do food banks and homeless shelters. We can all do something. And if you have little one's at home, take them with you. It will be hard, but they learn to live the Christian life by seeing you live it out.
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| We gathered with Thanksgiving in our hearts. |
