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Saturday, October 31, 2009

2 Teach is 2 Touch Lives 4ever

“Are you going to be a teacher when you grow up?” echoes through my head at this moment. My friends in grade school and high school asked this question of me often and my answer was the same, no. No, you may think. I have never really wanted to teach, so what has changed? It is pretty simple. My heart has changed, and I see teaching as an opportunity to impact the lives of students by equipping them with a solid education. I plan to teach English and help others become better communicators and go after their dreams and goals. Education is important in today’s society and necessary to function. Many of my role models were my teachers, and I looked up to them. Teachers have a very important role in the life of their students. If I could make a positive impact in the life of one student as a teacher, it would be worth it all.

This was my answer to the question "Why do you want to teach?" on my application for alternative certification this summer. It amazes me as to how God works. I am now an English teacher at a local middle school. It has been one of the most difficult yet God ordained things that I have done in my life. God became my rock and comfort because I could no longer rest in my own strength and skill. I have learned to obey even when I wanted to run in the opposite direction mainly out of fear of failure. There was an intense internal struggle going on before I accepted this position, but now I am filled with the peace of God and learning to take it one day a time.

God sent me a friend that has been the most selfless person and a tremendous help in this new chapter of my life. For that I am eternally grateful to not only her but all of the people along the way. This is God's harvest, and I am honored to be planting the seeds.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

There is a Time...

Seasons are an inevitable part of life. They all have distinct qualities that make them unique. They all have difficult moments, but they are all there for a purpose. God brings each spring, summer, autumn, and winter into our life for His specific purpose. Each season is a learning experience for each one of us.

I have experienced many seasons just in this last year. I wish I had done some things differently, but ultimately I have learned from them and God has received the glory.

Of all of the seasons, autumn is my favorite. It is the season of change, where the leaves burst out in vibrant colors as the trees prepare for a winter's rest. I am in an autumn season in my life as I type, and my biggest struggle is confidence and strength in myself. I am finding it very difficult to surrender when the opportunity is staring me right in the face. As I inwardly struggle, I have to remind myself that God's grace is sufficient for me and I just need to trust in Him.

I hope and pray that whatever season you are in whether you are on the mountaintop or down in the valley; God will get the glory and praise and you can cling to Him no matter what.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

The Motions

The Motions
This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break,
At least I'll be feeling something'
Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life
I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"
No regrets, not this time
I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life
'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"
(songlyrics.com)
Have you ever gotten stuck in a routine or a rut you just couldn't quite get out of? I have sometimes taken things in life for granted so much that it just feels like I am washing my hair.
Step 1-Apply
Step 2-Rinse
Step 3-Repeat
When life gets this routine, I have to examine my motives for many things and make sure that I am not just going through the motions. The Motions by Matthew West is a song that is one of my favorites and is becoming a true prayer of mine. I want to give God my everything and be passionate for His Word and things of Him.
In my heart of hearts, I don't want to be ever caught up in the motions of life or my relationship with my Lord. I have the blessing and honor to attend a benefit concert by Matthew West for a fellow Christian who did not want to live life by going through the motions. His life ended two days after this song touched his life and his brother will be to share his testimony. I can't wait.

Friday, October 9, 2009

How Much do you Value Your Time?

I just gave up a huge part of my life. I was on it at least 2 to 3 times a day. Each visit would take more time than the next. As I continued, I realized that I was addicted, so I gave up my Facebook account.

You may think that sounds strange, but my time was getting away from me, and I need to refocus. At this time this is the best solution. I did not realize how important this social networking site was to me until I printed out my profile before I said goodbye.

I am not knocking Facebook. Facebook has influenced my life in many positive ways such as finding a place to live for college and roommates for that place of which many are my best friends as well as connecting with family and friends.

But sometimes too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. So I am taking an extended break and giving up Facebook for the time being. I plan on redeeming the time I spent on Facebook in more productive ways such as scrapbooking all of the digital pictures in my Facebook photo albums (that is when I can afford to print them).

Time is a precious thing and when anything great or small invades it in an unhealthy manner, we should take a step back and adjust our priorities. For me, giving up Facebook is the best solution at this time. I will begin now to discipline myself by focusing on the more important things in life such as health and spiritual growth.

I hope and pray that God will get the glory as I sow this time unto Him. Please pray that I follow through and don't find other unproductive avenues to fill this time. God gives me the time; the least I can do is honor Him with it.