The Teacher's Wife

When I was in High School I was certain that I would marry someone in ministry.  I just knew that we would be a couple that would strive to influence many others for the Kingdom.

All of that became a reality.

I married a teacher.

I often think about how my perspective would differ had I not married a teacher.

What would daily conversations concerning our workday consist of? 

How would things at home shift if we were both in a “regular” 8 to 5 work place?

Neither of these questions matters because I did marry a teacher.

I married a teacher knowing that we would end up grading papers together after some of our date nights.

I married a teacher believing with everything in me that the Lord is constantly using him in influential ways that the organized church hasn’t even begun to function in yet.

I married a teacher knowing that he makes a difference.

As many of the surrounding school districts are celebrating “Teacher Appreciation Week” at their respective schools, I cannot help but to ponder what all I appreciate about the teacher that I am blessed to be married to.

Since teachers have different hours than the typical 8 to 5 workforce and they have summers off, many believe that this profession comes easier than others.

Please note, simply because a teacher is not in a classroom it does not mean that they have “clocked out” for the day.

When my sweet husband leaves the school building each day there are still some papers that need to be graded, phone calls from parents to take and emails to reply to.

People don’t become teachers because it’s easy.

People become teachers because compassion compels them.

When Christ followers become teachers it’s certainly for the purpose of Kingdom advancement.

Our government can regulate many things about our public school systems, but they cannot hinder the prayers that my sweet husband and I pray over his students and their families.

I married a teacher knowing that our dinner conversations and the “routine” how was your day convo would often revolve around difficultly with student.

Those conversations usually circle around the fact that the difficult student has and even more difficult home life.  This prompts me to even more prayer over his students. 

Have you ever thought of the possibility that as a teacher and a spouse of a teacher that you two may in fact be the only people praying over that child?

I married a teacher knowing that I would become attached to the lives of the students my husband is entrusted with each school year.  I knew that I would be ecstatic with every successful math grade and even more hopeful with every bad one. 

I married a teacher knowing that when in public, people would want to stop us to chat with him about curriculum, their child’s grade on the math test and what they can bring to the class party.

Being married to a teacher has revealed to me more profound levels of compassion and empathy that I thought possible.

For some students the only consistency that they experience is from their teacher. 

I wasn’t expecting that in marrying a teacher that I’d have conversations about how to just love on a child after their parent has committed suicide.

I wasn’t expecting that in marrying a teacher that I’d ever be faced with helping come up with words to address a class after something tragic has happened in our nation.

My sweet husband is there on Monday to talk to students who have witnessed a major fight between mom and dad over the weekend.  When they ask, “Do you think they are getting a divorce, Mr. Charlton?” I know he is relying on our sweet Savior to give him the words.

He is there to help them find the method to problem solving that works best for them, but more importantly he is there for students day in and day out who simply depend on him.

Today, I found out that my sweet man has been deemed teacher of the month.

When he told me he laughingly said, “You’re more excited than I am.”  I am so thrilled simply because I know how much he cares for the 50+ 4^th grade boys he teaches each day.  I see how hard he works in order to help them become successful students. I see his heart behind his choice to become a teacher.

Teachers, as the school year comes to an end, know that you are making a difference!  State testing is around the corner.  You’ve done a great job…. Don’t sweat it!

You have been chosen to invest in the lives of students who desperately need to know that someone cares about them and to encourage family units to function as the Lord designed.

You have been chosen to cultivate within each student a sense of believing in himself or herself.

You have been chosen to make a difference.

I married a teacher and I’m so blessed that I did! You will forever be my favorite, Joseph!

Gratefulness for Genuine Friendship

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." ~Proverbs 27:17

Sadly, our society has cultivated within us a seemingly natural ability to simply take things, circumstances and people for granted.  Our gross sin nature has a hand in that cultivation, too.  So, what are we Christ followers going to do to counter act that tendency in our own lives?

There are certain things that we come to expect.  We expect the vehicle to run once we turn the key in the ignition.  We expect pay increases after completing numerous tasks at the work place.  We expect to receive gifts for holidays, birthdays and other special occasions.  While these things seem like "no brainers" and things that are generally no big deal, the concept can also be applied to friendship.

This is where the Lord has certainly grown my gratefulness for my friends over the past several months.

Our friendships with others often begin with conditions applied.  My memories of being an elementary student on the playground are flooded with specific conditions that I created and presented to a classmate, or vice versa.  I attempted to bribe my sweet mama into allowing me to have my way when I was growing up by sweetly saying, "I'll be your best friend!" To which she always responded to by saying, "Sydney, I have enough friends. I am called to be your mom."  It seemed like harsh words then, but because she parented well, we really are friends now. 

My thought here is that we carry that same mentality of conditional friendship over into adulthood.  The stake of friendship is not dependent upon if the girl sitting beside you at lunch shares her fruit snacks with you.  The stakes are raised as we get older.

We judge the state of our friendship on what they are willing to do for us, how much time they carve out of their busy schedule for us and the amount they have invested in us, both spiritually and financially.

I have a handful of friends that I know would do anything I needed them to.  I don't have to talk to them every day or every week... or even every month, but I know that when we talk again we will pick up right where we left off. 

A few weeks ago after having supper with one of my best friends, Lynsie, I sat and thought about all of this. I left supper that evening thinking about how much Lynsie and I have walked through together and how the Lord has given me FIVE friends "at just the right time" in order to be His light in my life through various seasons.

Though Lyns and I were in college together, we didn't become close friends until we served in an inner city ministry together while working in the same office at our alma mater.  The Lord knew when I needed her spunky sense of humor, spontaneous dance parties and Godly wisdom the most.


Last night another "best", Joy, came over to our house for supper.  I hadn't seen her in over 11 months.  11 months!  The tears started flowing as soon as I saw her pull into the drive way.  Mascara was everywhere!  When she left, after hours of sweet conversation, I just thought, "Lord, what a blessing!" Joy and I also went to college together, but became close when we were placed in a spiritually dark work environment.  She and I saw what Matthew 15:8 looked like in person. ("These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.")  Rather than allowing me to become self righteous and compare myself with those around me, Joy reminded me daily of Romans 8:28.  She constantly pointed me to Christ when we were striving to be Light together. 

I believe that the Lord strategically places people in our lives for specific purposes "at just the right time".  Honestly, many of us miss this.  Rather than focusing on how the Lord has blessed us with likeminded, God fearing friends, we allow the Enemy to lie to us.  Satan has a predictable way of telling us that we need to "give up" on certain people because they haven't shown us how important we are to them and that we have invested more into the friendship than they've ever thought of.

I have witnessed the destruction of friendship that can take place when we give in to the spirit of comparison.

Rather than distance yourself from the friend who gets her dream job before you, gets married before you, has a baby before you, etc. surrender jealously to the Lord and rejoice!

I believe that the Lord's design for friendship has many aspects, but heavily revolves around Romans 12:15, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

Lydia and I have been best friends since junior high.  She was hands down my first friend to exemplify Romans 12:15.  Her excitement for me when the Lord answers a prayer is uncontainable, and her compassion and sympathy for me as I've walked through difficulty brings her to tears for me.

When the Lord grants us the blessing of friendship, we cannot miss the honor that comes in being willing to rejoice and mourn with them depending on the circumstance.  There is absolutely no place for the mentality of "why her and not me, Lord?" in the life of anyone striving to be Kingdom minded.  Get over yourself and be the friend He's called you to be.

The words of John 15:13 can be difficult to hear, but are so necessary when determining the level of friendship you have with another. "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

Laying your life down for a friend far exceeds the world's standard for friendship.  It's not based on how many times a month you meet up for coffee, how many pictures you have together or how many gifts have been exchanged between the two of you.

Laying your life down for a friend, to me, is not only the willingness to give up your actual life on their behalf if you two are in a life threatening situation.

I wholeheartedly believe that "laying down your life" in day to day terms is simply wanting what is best for your friend above wanting what is best for yourself.

Let that sink in.

That completely defies the "all about me" attitude of the world.

Jessica's commitment to be one of my bridesmaids was maintained despite her having her gallbladder removed just days before.  Her love for me isn't just portrayed through her words "I love you to pieces" but is seen in her actions.  That day, among other instances as well, she "laid down her life", her personal interest to fulfill a commitment that she made in support of me marrying Joseph.  That seems somewhat simple.  But how often are we really willing to endure pain in order to fulfill a commitment to a friend?  Especially when we have a valid reason to cop-out.

I have found that just as marriage must center around Christ, so should a friendship.  Otherwise, that spirit of jealousy I mentioned earlier will take over.  Rather than basing friendship on what someone can "bring to the table" on your behalf, why don't we begin thinking the opposite?

Carissa is certainly my "best" with the sense of wild adventure.  She thrives thinking outside of the box and in situations that would cause me to freak out.  To me, camping in a tent is super adventurous (this hair cannot reach the teasing capacity I know it is capable of in a tent!) but to Carissa, that's mild.  After all, she is my friend that came to college with a machete in her vehicle "just in case".  Carissa and I have had countless conversations sharing our dreams and our goals... and our fears.

Honesty with my friends comes naturally. We tend to keep feelings and fears to ourselves, thinking that once verbalize them we will quickly be judged.  Thankfully my 5 "bests" know me well enough to allow me to be real with them and know how to support me.

Just as friendship cannot thrive when jealousy is involved, it will surly suffer once judgment of one another becomes a factor.

There is a healthy, Godly manner in which we are to approach any issue of sin in the life of another Christ following friend, but judgment is never involved. (Romans 3:23)

To be a friend means to want God's best for their lives, even if they receive a blessing from Him before you.

To be a friend means to put comparison aside, and to appreciate them and all that the Lord has done and is doing on their behalf.

To be a friend means to be willing to spur one another towards righteousness, especially when we don't understand what certain circumstances happen as they do.

To my 5 "bests", Lynsie, Joy, Lydia, Jessica and Carissa: Thank you for being "iron in my life", for genuinely wanting my dreams and goals to be obtained and being 5 of my biggest supporters as I seek to fulfill the Lord's will for my life. I am grateful for your honesty with me, for laughing with me, crying with me and believing in me.

 You are loved much!

Choosing to Remember His Faithfulness

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. ~Psalm 100:5

     As Joseph and I rang in the new year, I reflected on all that the Lord had provided for us in 2013.  There were so many things that it'd be easy to forget about in our busyness.  He provided us with 2 different vehicles, money to have a french drain installed, a new roof and repairs after the March '13 hail storm (homeownership joys) and even funds to take several trips, including our trip to Florida to see family I hadn't seen in 4 1/2 years.  Not to mention that He saw me through finishing Seminary and leaving a very difficult work situation at my alma mater last summer.

     When the Lord explains that we will have trouble in this world, He also promises that He will give us peace (John16:33).  Because He has already overcome the world, our menial hardships should not come as an offense.  He told us this would happen.  Why, then, are we so astounded when all of this stuff happens?  

     With a couple of difficult circumstances occurring presently in the lives of some of our family members and unexpected expenses last week with our hot water heater and vehicle repair, it would be so easy (and so worldly) to hear difficult news and immediately react in angered manner.   Before I even had a chance to enter my budget freak out mode or get overly defensive on my family's behalf the Lord so sweetly reminded me that He knows what I need.

     Our sweet Savior does not work on our behalf or watch us from a distance, as Bette Midler suggests.  He is near to us and sees all that is going on.  After all, He knew about the things we would walk through before we did.  In choosing to remember His faithfulness I found myself so humbled as I wept in my car before Him.  He is bigger than anything we face! 

     Rather than become upset by circumstances, wrongdoings of others, and unexpected expenses,  He asks me to continue to trust Him as I walk in obedience.  His faithfulness is unwavering because He never changes (Hebrews 13:8).

     He is the one Who has provided for my family for every single thing.  He has always taken care of us.  I had to choose to remember this over the past few weeks as I have received phone calls from family members who have been let down by Christians choosing not to act Christ-like.  He is the same God Who parted the Red Sea.  He is more than able to provide for our needs.

    He is the one Who gave me a "transition job" last summer in order for me to leave my job at my alma mater.  I then became content with having a job that my degrees didn't help qualify me for, because I saw His faithfulness at work.  However, so unexpectedly the Lord gave me a position in church ministry.  The Lord has taught me much regarding being faithful in the small things in order to be trusted with more (Luke 16:10).  He has given you influence where you are for a reason.  Your purpose is to live in a manner that promotes His Kingdom coming to where He has placed you.

    Rather than become distraught by our worldly circumstances, what do you think it would look like if Christ followers actually took on the attitude presented in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18?  If we were truly joyful in all circumstances, prayed about everything and thankful in all things don't you think that the world around us would notice a difference?

   Be encouraged knowing that the Lord is using whatever difficulty you may be walking through to make you more like Himself, to encourage more faithfulness to Him, and to remind you that He is for you (Rom. 8:28)!  

   Choose to remember how faithful He has been to you.  Be faithful to Him where you are.  Despite the difficulty of your situation, having  to figure out how to pay for unexpected expenses, or being surrounded by people who claim Christ and don't seek to live according to His Word, He has called you to be faithful and to recall His goodness upon your life.

   He takes care of details such as french drains, new vehicles, and paying all of the bills, but remember that He does so because He cares for His kids more than we could ever imagine. 1 Peter 5:7 -- "Cast all of your cares upon Him because He cares for you."

Choose to remember His faithfulness to you from the past and believe in His promise to remain faithful to you now.

    

Pausing to Notice His Goodness

You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for you because of what you have done.
~ Psalm 92:4, NLT

 

Yesterday marked ten awesome months of marriage for Joseph and me. Time is going by so quickly! Being just two months away from celebrating our first anniversary, Joseph and I have talked a lot recently about the Lord’s BIG provision for us!

When we began looking into buying a house last year we had no idea what God had in store. We prayed specifically for the Lord to direct us to the area in which He wanted us. The home He gave us far surpassed anything we had in mind.  We often sit and just gasp in awe of His blessings.  We aren’t “stuff” oriented people and we never thought about purchasing a new home when we began talking about where we would live, but seeing God’s hand every detail really just makes us pay attention to the fact that God’s ways are indeed higher than ours. God loves to bless His kids!

In our ten months of marriage, God has shown Himself faithful at every turn, as always. When any issue of an unexpected expense has come up He’s made a way, providing more than enough.

I mention all of this because after the recent hail storm Joseph and I had a choice.  We could have easily chosen to be upset and have a “woe is me” attitude about needing a new roof on the house in addition to many other repairs.  We could have fussed about my car being too damaged to keep.  Instead, the Lord has taught us to pause and pay attention to His GREAT goodness!

The Lord sent a roofer to our neighborhood “at just the right time” to rescue us from having to climb on the roof to put tarps down before rain came again.  This was not one of the roofers we had called. Those fellas never called us back.  God knew exactly who He wanted to send our way!

The roofer did many temporary fixes until everything with insurance was squared away... and he did so at no charge! God is well aware of surprises like this and He provides!  The insurance company declared the damage to the house to be about $8,500.  Again, instead of being upset that the repairs may cause a little inconvenience in our schedules, I see the Lord’s hand in even allowing us to have insurance that covers all of the cost!

The damage my car received from the storm is actually a blessing in disguise.  I have driven my little Cavalier for ten years. It’s the only car I’ve ever had; so to say that I needed to start looking into getting something different would be a slight understatement.  I have just accepted the minor flaws due to wear and tear and have been grateful for transportation.

Our appointment with the insurance company regarding the car isn’t until the middle of the month, but after several reports we know what the verdict will be.  Two days after the storm the car’s check engine light came on and the car began driving differently and running hot.  God’s timing is in effect for sure here!  He knew all the details that would cause us to need a different mode of transportation, and now we will receive more money for it than if we had simply traded it in.

We were able to purchase the exact vehicle that we wanted earlier this week.  God cares so much about the smallest details of our lives, folks!  After being able to drive my mom’s vehicle for a few different trips, Joseph and I agreed that we would look for one like hers.  A new car was out of the question as it just didn’t make sense to us.  So we prayed for wisdom on a newer used vehicle.

After test driving a couple of cars and not having a peace about moving forward, Joseph and I went home in my beat up Cavalier.  Two days later, we found the car online… at a dealership within minutes of our house!

If we had made a hasty decision when we were test driving other vehicles we would have missed this HUGE blessing God had in store for us.  Any of those options would have been good, but certainly not God’s best for us.

Joseph took care of everything the Monday after Easter since he had an extra day off for the holiday.  Everything worked out far better than we had hoped.  The numbers that we had crunched to figure out finances were thrown out the window when things came out BETTER than we could have imagined!  God’s faithfulness has blown us away again!

This testimony of His goodness has caused me to wonder how many times I’ve neglected to pause and really pay attention to His hand at work in my life. In the midst of life’s surprises (like an unexpected hail storm) it’s far too easy for us to react negatively and become frantic.

The hail storm and other unexpected events come as no surprise to God… EVER!  When we stop to pay attention to all He has done we are able to change our attitude of “woe is me” to one of gratefulness.

I have been so encouraged in these weeks after the storm.  The Lord’s provision in sending the right people, the right vehicle and all the finances needed has been nothing short of a miracle!

Today there are many things that have the potential to upset us.  Often when we are surprised by difficult circumstances our initial actions stem from being angry that we simply don’t have control over everything.  Rather than reacting negatively, we can choose to be grateful for the Lord’s great provision for our lives, which is always in effect.

When we take time to pay attention to all that the Lord has done and is doing for us we cannot help but to be thrilled! Today my prayer is that I will continually notice the ways He shows that He is for me.  May we not overlook all the ways that God is reminding us that He is in control and has power over all things!

You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for you because of what you have done. ~ Psalm 92:4, NLT

The Courage to Begin

When I met Joseph he was training for his first half marathon.   While we were dating I traveled to Florida with him and a group of friends to cheer them on during another race.  So I knew when we were reading all of those marriage books leading up to the wedding that each time they mentioned that the wife should take up her husband's hobbies that I'd be taking up more exercise.  I can laugh about how dedicated Joseph is and how I just simply wasn't disciplined in this area, but the truth is I was scared to even darken the door of a gym, much less begin training for a half to run with Joseph.

After I got my master's degree under my belt I felt invincible!  Why not go ahead and start this thing?  I began training for a race and immediately understood what so many had told me prior about running being just as much mental as it is physical.  When I first began to feel the pain in my legs I just thought that it's an issue that everyone who chooses to train experiences.  After many tear-filled moments as I dealt with the pain Joseph convinced me to seek help and answers. 

Google gave me some answers that helped and some that scared me, but it wasn't until I began talking with a friend about it that it began making more sense.  She recently completed Physical Therapy School and willingly evaluated my legs and all the issues.  The PT that she recommended helped immensely, but she told me things to look out for.  She informed me that what I've been experiencing in my legs is mild compartment syndrome. (If you Google it, don't freak out like I did! My legs haven't split open.)  Due to a lack of space in certain compartments/sections of my legs there is not enough room for accurate blood flow to the muscles in those areas.  This causes tightness and swelling.  The PT that she taught Joseph and me allowed me to make it through the 8 mile run, which again made me feel like I could do anything.

It wasn't until last week that I had to promise both Joseph and my mom that if the pain continued that I wouldn't run the race at the end of February.  After I made it through this week's shorter runs with minimal pain I believed that yesterday's 10 miles would be fine, too.  The promise I made was that if I had trouble during the 10 mile run that I'd simply be a spectator.  

When Joseph and I got only 1.5 miles in yesterday I began to have more pain in my legs than I had experienced before.  I looked down to see that the swelling in my legs was extremely noticeable.  My right leg looked somewhat like a medium size apple was protruding through... trust me, this is not like the lady lumps Fergie rants about.  Not cute.  As I began to cry uncontrollably, Joseph comforted me by saying, "God is the only One you have to worry about pleasing.”  I looked up at him from my doubled over position and asked, "So, you're not mad at me?"  I wanted so badly to accomplish this race with him and to prove that I could do it. I couldn’t stand the though of letting anyone down, or worse having people believe that I’m one to give up easily.  Sweet Joseph reassured me that he wasn't disappointed and that I shouldn’t worry about the opinions of others. He would rather me not run the race than to continue and make the issues I've been experiencing worse. 

So, here I am.  Sore, swollen legs due to a condition I had never even heard of until a few weeks ago, and unable to accomplish something that I've committed to.

Yesterday I had lots of moments where I just had to cry it out like a toddler in a crib.  Emotions of defeat and disappointment flooded my mind.  While Joseph was out finishing the 10 miles for the training schedule, I was home cleaning the house.  God encouraged me so much when I was steaming the floors and scrubbing the toilets.

God reminded me of the courage it took for me to even begin this training.  He reminded me of the dedication I've learned through this process and the routine that I have created for me to exercise regularly.  Finishing would have been a huge success for me, but the Lord encouraged me yesterday that even beginning was a huge feat for me, too.

Running is not something that I am good at, and didn't enjoy at all prior to beginning training.  But, I've learned a great deal about trusting in Power beyond myself to start something new.  When I started Seminary I had no idea what all it would entail, but I finished.  Starting to run proved to myself that I can do what people do not expect of me.

Not being able to continue with my training for the half marathon is disappointing, but I am grateful that I know that my excuse here is not mental, it's not made up, nor is it something I can control.  It was so tempting to continue running through the pain, but as my legs became more swollen and as I experienced more tingling and numbness in my feet and lower legs it was as if God put His hand on my shoulder and said, "I'm proud of you for even trying.  You had courage to begin something that very few believed you could accomplish.  You haven't disappointed Me, because I know that You are still trusting me through this."

So, I leave you with this encouragement that I have received from the Lord in the last several hours:  It takes great courage to begin something new.  Don't get too discouraged when things out of your control hinder you from running across a finish line, meeting a deadline, or overcoming a fear.  God's with you.  He's proud of you for even taking on the courage to begin.

If you can't run, maybe you can bike or swim.  He gives us options, but all along the way is teaching us to be a people who trust in His strength and recognize that our giving up doesn't necessarily mean that we are unsuccessful.

It takes courage to begin.  Rest in that, knowing He's proud that you even tried.

Embracing Change and Maintaining Priorities

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea ~ Psalm 46:1-2, NLT

Change is inevitable.  I’ve heard this my entire life, yet I often still have difficulties embracing it.  To know the Lord is to know the only One Who is consistent at all times.

Life has been somewhat of a whirlwind lately.  Admittedly I’ve had a few melt-down moments when it felt like no one noticed all I’ve been trying to juggle.  But isn’t it that way for all of us? Between work, classes, church planting involvement and not to mention learning this new role of being a wife, it’s easy to allow the Enemy to coax me to thinking no one has it as rough as me.  What a lie! We become ineffective in ministry when we spend our time planning and throwing pity parties for ourselves.  Satan wants nothing more than to cause us to think of only ourselves.  The more opportunities and responsibilities the Lord gives us the more it requires us to run to Him.  We cannot achieve life on our own.  Period.  We all have tons of responsibilities fighting for our attention.  Our main concern should be keeping Him as our priority.  There will always be dirty dishes, emails that require response, and laundry to fold.  Our attitude reflects what we deem as priority.  Our day to day handling of responsibilities reveals how much time we have spent with the Father.   Emails and dishes can wait. The Lord is beckoning to spend time with Him. The Lord desires for you and me to run to Him in the midst of every single need.  He is our refuge; He is our source of strength.  At the end of my life I don’t want to be known as one who sacrificed family time in order for more work to be accomplished.  I don’t want to be known now as one who prioritizes my relationship with the Lord as my last on the list.  I want to be known as a woman who runs after Jesus in all things.  Our priorities need to change…

What if you and I began to care only about what the Lord thinks of us?  This would go against everything the world teaches.  We will wear ourselves out trying to make people like us.  We will drive ourselves batty if we become too concerned with others opinions of us.  What would it look like if we as the Body really began to only care about what the Lord says of us?  Not everyone is going to like us.  This is OK!  Not everyone is going to appreciate us and our work ethic.  This is OK!  Jesus says just to run to Him.  He approves of us when we seek Him above all else… even with dirty dishes in the sink and emails that have been neglected.  When He truly becomes our refuge everything else will fall into place.  In the end my work won’t matter unless through it all He has been my source of strength and my refuge in every circumstance.

The Lord has reiterated the importance of running to Him and simply dwelling with Him through two recent happenings.  Christopher (my brother) came home to visit from his ministry efforts in Kentucky.  I was anxious about his homecoming and couldn’t wait to spend time with him.  Joseph and I made plans to meet him the day he got back into town, and even changed our schedule throughout the week to have him and his friend over for dinner.  Our time with the Lord should be approached with this enthusiasm and excitement.  When we don’t expect the Lord to speak He probably won’t. When we spend time with Him because we feel that we “have to” we won’t benefit from it… quick devotions and short quiet times do not equal running to Him as our refuge and strength.  If we are going to accomplish life well, we must be in His presence! 

Our life is not going to slow down.  We all have responsibilities to pay attention to, but through it all we must run to Him.  Melt down will occur.  Change will happen.  But how we handle every circumstance will determine what we are known for and who we are known to stand for.  This Sunday while doing the praise band run through, Lily (who just turned 1 year old) heard her dad’s voice coming from the stage.  Beau is our percussionist.  Lily heard him talking to us as we rehearsed and he noticed her coming towards him.  Lily ran as much as she could, as she hasn’t been walking terribly long.  Beau held his arms out for her.  His arms were her prize.  When we hear the Lord speaking to us and see His work in our lives so often it’s our tendency to blow it off or ignore it completely.  I want to be one who notices the Lord and runs hard and fast just to be in His arms, just to be with Him.  He is my prize!  Just like Beau embraced Lily when she made her way to him, the Lord desires to hold us tight as we find strength and refuge in Him.

Change is happening all around us.  Some good.  Some not so wonderful.  Knowing and serving the only One Who is constant is where we find strength.  It’s ok if we don’t accomplish everything the world thinks we should.  I believe that those of us belonging to Christ should become serious about really looking different than the world.  Because change is constant it can overwhelm us if we let it.  When we realize that it’s relationships with others and our relationship with Him that matter most we are able to embrace change… because through it all we know He is embracing us.

Until next time,

Syd