Feels like I'm losing my mind just a bit. I'm starting to forget things that I normally wouldn't let slip. My mom says that it's called "brain overload". Despite being BUSY (and maybe a bit overloaded), God is sustaining me. Some bright spots from my week...
- Waking this morning and immediately thinking 'what day is it?!' Feeling exhausted, I sit down to read. My devotion this morning? About RESTING and giving your time to God. Point taken, Lord. Even if I don't have a day to sacrifice, I can sacrifice other things: my heart, my thoughts, my daily activities. I can worship Him and spend time with Him anytime I want to. I finished Lysa Tyrkheurst's Unglued a couple of weeks ago. My favorite chapter was about being busy and losing it when you feel overwhelmed. Instead of thinking 'why do I have to deal with this?' or 'I have too much on my plate!', she explains that you are really just MANAGING BLESSINGS. Yes, we have jobs, kids, responsibilities. Yes, sucky things happen and people can be nasty. But you find the beauty in it all (if possible!). You find God and His message through it. Trafton is screaming "NO" at me? I am blessed to have a son who is healthy and can speak. Chamblee is pooping in the car? At least she has a GI track that works properly. I look like a cow in my shirt? I am blessed to have a closet of different options. The dog threw up on the carpet, the dishwasher is leaking, and the air conditioner isn't working?? I am blessed to have a handy husband :)
- Thrilled and deeply touched by a RAK (random act of kindness...any "Evan Almighty" fans?? Love that movie!) that I came home to yesterday. Opened a card from a childhood friend. Haven't seen her since her wedding a couple of years ago. She either noticed that I was going back to school or she heard from her mama (our families are still in touch). Either way, she took it upon herself to treat me with a Starbucks gift card (drool). She included a card: "As if working full time and having two kids weren't enough...you are amazing! Thought you could use a little caffeine to help you". MADE. MY. DAY. Not just cause it's Starbucks, but because it was random and heartfelt.
- So encouraged by a new mama friend. Her kids are in my classroom and I truly feel like God has ordained our friendship. I am praying for it to grow and blossom, as she believes in loving others and loving the Lord. She sent me encouragement this week in the form of an email. She asked me to consider Daniel 3: three men refuse to bow to Nebuchadnezzar. He throws them into the fire. Onlookers see four men inside- Jesus is with them. They talk for a bit, and then walk OUT OF THE FIRE, unharmed. Maybe my "fire" is being swamped with work, school, kids. Maybe my "fire" is frustration with others. Maybe it's frustrations with myself. But Jesus is standing and talking with me, and I can walk out of this fire unharmed.
- Also encouraged by a wise woman who I was able to talk with this week. Dealing with frustrations out of my control, this friend reminded me that in order to have peace, sometimes things or people are taken out of our lives. Sometimes peace may not flow like a river; sometimes peace is a SWORD. Sometimes things unfold a certain way-- it may be ugly and sad, but His will is unfolding and I have to yield to that. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14)
- Finally, excited about my new journey. The opportunity to love people and get a pay check for it. I realize loving folks in this new profession pursuit might involve some downright gross stuff. But He will equip me. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. (Matt 20: 27)
