This Little Light of Mine...

"Send us (with fire) to go love the world."

I encourage you to be a bright light ...wherever God is wanting to place you.

Let us bring forth light in the darkness.

Oatmeal Creme Pies

Sitting restfully on my couch (when I should be completing Report Cards, mind you), I am reflecting on these past few days..

As I contemplate, I catch myself looking at an oatmeal creme pie as it rests on my coffee table. With this in sight, I am reminded of what it means to be the family of Christ. (Weird thought, I know... but hear me out..)

This past weekend, a group from the States came to the school to encourage and speak truth to the teachers here. It was a blessing of which I am truly grateful. You see, I had begun to fall to the lies that I don't have a great impact on my students' lives. They are too young. I don't spend enough time with them. I am a failure. These were a few of the lies I had heard.

Lies. Lies. Lies.

All were shattered with this visiting group. One of the ladies got up in front of everyone and spoke very fondly of her third grade teacher and how she had changed her mother's life for the better. This, of course, created a domino effect in her life and in her mother's-- and a paradigm shift was made in how they lived and interacted with those around them.

Then, another spoke of her envy of our students. She was not raised to believe in God, in Jesus-- and she recently discovered His truths. She talked of her life of broken addiction and of her vast emptiness. She, then, talked on how she had wished that someone would have been by her side as a child to tell her how to live a life following Christ. ---She reminded the teachers that THAT is what WE are doing. We are building our kids' lives up in truth and in love.

Both had no idea of my inner struggles, but God knew-- and he used them to speak to me-- to reaffirm my powerful role.

Not only am I a teacher, but I am a role model, a judge, a friend, a confidant, a coach, a cheerleader, and most importantly-- called to reflect Christ with it all. With my actions, my words... all of it. What a great refreshment those women were to my soul! They helped rekindle the fire within me to be Christ with and to these kids. These kids have the potential to change not only their lives or the lives of their families... but nations! Talk about power.

This group also left with me (and my roommates) some snacks they did not finish while visiting the area. Among those snacks are precious gems-- my childhood love: Oatmeal Creme Pies. With them in view, I am reminded of my home, my family.. and of course, the family of Christ. What a beautiful family we are! I pray that I daily strive to reflect Christ's love (and tell of it) among those who feel lost, abandoned, and hopeless.

Praying that I would continually strive to build others up and encourage those around me, this day and always.

Praying also that I never lose sight of the sphere of influence that is before me and that you, too, do not lose sight of your important role in the lives of others.

mmMMmm... Oatmeal Creme Pies have never tasted sooo good.. Now if I could just finish those Report Cards...

Photo Accreditation

Jungle Cat

So, I had a revelation today...

My time in Beit Jala could easily be portrayed with the following analogy:

Imagine a house cat, you know, the typical "I'm just going to lounge around the house, eat the food you place before me, and bathe myself" house cat. Sure, this cat has its own adventures-- perhaps it climbs the mountainous curtains or dodges and attacks the quick-moving feet of its owners-- but, it is what it is, a house cat. But to the cat, it is living the dream. The cat is dominating its society, on its terms.

Now, place that cat in the jungle.

This creates a problem. The house cat still has the mindset that it is ready and able to respond to its surroundings. It's knowledgeable and alert. And, given that it stays on the main path, the house cat is fine. But you and I both know that the jungle houses a world far beyond the main path. In fact, it is commonplace to assume that most of the jungle life happens above and below the tree line. Not to mention, out of sight.

This requires work, then, for the house cat. It must adjust and learn how to adapt-- learn how to survive. It also means that the senses need to stay open and alert.

This, I feel, is how my life could be depicted with visual imagery. A lot of things exist in Beit Jala and the surrounding areas that are not seen at first glance. Layers and layers of hurts exist. Layers and layers of pain. Layers and layers of people crying for help.

Luke 10:2 "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

That's us. That's you. That's me.

So, that is my prayer today. Praying the Lord speaks to you. Praying He directs you where to go, and that you are open, willing, and receptive to His words. Praying that also for myself. Praying I never grow a heart that is hardened to His will. Praying I am never comfortable-- that I am always stretched. That is, after all, what the Lord tells us will happen "...behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves."

Nowhere do I see the words "you will live a life of comfort" spoken by Jesus.

Praying I am not complacent, as that is sometimes my tendency.

Patience

Patience is a virtue. I've heard this truth all of my life. Seriously. All of it. I have recollections of watching a short film as a child with a snail like character singing the tune: "Haaaave patience, haaaaave patience, Don't be in suuuuuuch a hurry..." (Of course, the notes and words were drawn out for emphasis.) I got the message. Patience, I need it.

Little did I know, I would need it in heaping servings.

You see, I have a classroom of 22 all-over-the-place children. 22 children who do NOT want to see what they do incorrectly, always telling me to look the other direction: "Miss Angela, look at so-and-so!!!" while they themselves may have caused the action, or more so, the reaction of the very student they want me to view. Literally. Always. Heaven forbid they look at themselves first!

Isn't that the way we are though?

We want to first look at others before we examine our own selves. Our own hearts. "Lord, look at that person.. they obviously do not follow you." When, in reality, we should be saying, "Lord, look at that person. You died for them and they do not know you. How can I be used so that they may know?" Or, better yet, "Lord, how close am I following you right now? How am I doing at allowing your Spirit to lead my thoughts + my actions + my desires at all times?"

Scary questions.

God has patience with us during these faulty times of ours. We (I) don't deserve it. I don't understand it. And I am definitely no expert on it.

But, I am learning.

I am learning to seek His guidance in (and out) of my classroom. To always answer questions with a smile. To have patience. Even when I have to say things two, three, or eight times. Even when my students are crazy. Even when they misbehave. Even when they life seems to be going in several directions all at once.

Patience.

God is good. All of the time, He is good. He never gives us anything we cannot handle.. even when we would like to think otherwise. He is all sufficient. He is the Prince of Peace. He is God Almighty.

What an awesome God I serve!