When I was praying tonight, I remembered a sweet little moment that happened earlier in my week that I must share! In my field experience I am working in a middle school. I'm basically job shadowing Mrs. J. She is a sweet lady. Her students can trust her and can come to her if they need anything. This sweet little girl came to Mrs. J when everyone else was lined up to go to lunch outside of the classroom. She says, "My grandma is really busy because she has been taking my dad to the doctor. She forgot about my lunch money, and we are having a really hard time right now." With no hesitation Mrs. J gives her enough money to pay for her lunch. In the moment I saw a glimpse of what it is really like to be a teacher; to have students that need you. Some students may just sit in your classroom and move on at the end of the year. But some students take in everything you say, they watch everything you do. They depend on you. They need your affection. They need to know someone can provide for them and that someone cares. It is by the grace and will of God I get to pursue my education at a university that is Christ-centered. My classes are hard, and I don't always get good grades, but I have learned immensely in my time at Southwest Baptist University. Being a teacher has always been my plan. Don't get my wrong, I've questioned my adequacy, and I've contemplated changing my major many times. I have dreaded working for the American school system. I have even dreaded working with American children. Some students are disrespectful and don't value education, but I will teach for the ones that do. I will teach so that the students don't remember my name, but they know of Jesus' name. The thought of me having my own classroom in 1-and-a-half short years freaks me out! Like I said, it's only by Christ's redemption that I have made it this far. I pray for moments like these to happen in my classroom. I pray for holy and upright character, so that I may not only teach, but live.
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Motivating Your MorningUnfortunately, I've lived most of my life with the following attitude: how little can I do to get by?
What's the shortest book of the bible I can read today and still feel good about myself? How little can I study, but still pass? How little can I give for this Sunday's offering? How little can I participate in this group project? What if I lived life to the fullest? What if I really gave it all? What would my life look like? How would things be different? I think my problem starts in the mornings; I wake up wanting to go back to sleep instead of carpe dieming the day. I was listening to Joyce Meyer yesterday and she said something that inspired me, "I wake up, get my coffee and head for God." I don't want to wake up loving life for my own sake, I want to wake up loving life for God. I want my joy to overflow into others. So naturally, like any woman, I made a list; a list of things I can do to start the day off right. 1. Have a reason for waking up. 2. Read the bible every morning, especially mornings you don't want to. 3. Look your best. 4. Don't hit the snooze button. 5. Eat breakfast. 6. Think about someone you can love on. 7. Pray for others constantly. Now for explanations, tricks, etc: #1 HAVE A REASON FOR WAKING UP. This can be different daily, but if you cannot think of one read Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. #2 READ THE BIBLE EVERY MORNING Start the day off in the word. Reflect on things that are true. This takes dedication and self control, but in the end it makes your day better. The psalmist says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." [Psalm 119:105] Let God light up your day! #3 LOOK YOUR BEST So many times I leave the house feeling self-conscious. If I woke up earlier and did my hair and makeup the way I want to, I would feel more confident. It is not about outer-beauty, but if we feel confident we are more likely to be bold in our faith. The end goal is to be confident in self because of what God has given you, giving Him all the glory. Read Psalm 139:13-14, For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. #4 DON'T HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON You set a time to wake up, so just do it! You're not going to fall back asleep in 5 minutes, and it's not gonna make you feel better. Upon waking up remember 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Who you were yesterday is gone, wake up, be who you want to be today. Don't dwell on the past. #5 EAT BREAKFAST If you eat breakfast you won't spend the rest of your morning thinking about how hungry you are. #6 THINK ABOUT SOMEONE WHOM YOU CAN LOVE ON Could be a co-worker, family member, neighbor, or a stranger. Think about going out of your way to help someone else. Even if you aren't able to accomplish the task you spend your morning thinking about someone else. Mornings are a very self-centered time. Try thinking of a friend who you can do a nice thing for that day. #7 PRAY FOR OTHERS CONSTANTLY Below is my daily prayer routine. The top section is things I commit to praying for every day. For example, the government, and my boyfriend Lucas. The next section is things I pray for on a certain day of the week. I picked some categories and each day of the week I pray for a different friend, church, school, etc. The last section is a fundamental part of it being a DAILY prayer routine. The mundane tasks that I listed will be accompanied by the prayers. When I brush my teeth I pray for my friends. When I'm putting on my makeup I pray for the Churches. When I'm driving I pray for issues around the world and local schools. When I'm in the shower I pray for family members, When I do the dishes or laundry I pray for my mentors. A great way turn the "normal" into Kingdom thinking. {Taken from Dave Becker at Freshwater Church. Listen to the Foundations-Prayer Podcast here.} |
AuthorI am a follower of Christ Jesus. I enjoy the simple.
Occupier of the Midwest. Introvert, but not shy. This is where I go on about the bible, movies, books, clothes, crafts, and anything else. Learning what it means to have a servant's heart. Teacher, Seminary wife, reader. behind the name:Jesus is the lamb of God. He was a sacrificial lamb that was slain for us. Jesus himself tells us to pick up our cross and do what he did. I long to be a lamb, able to lay down my own selfish desires and wholeheartedly follow Christ. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said when Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. I am learning to die to self daily.
I write because I love sharing ideas. I write because the internet needs more beautiful and things and more gospel truths. Here are some references from the scriptures: Revelation 12:11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death Revelation 5:11-12 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 1 John 2:6 Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Archives
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