Back to the Island

Vacation is a wonderful thing.  I am so thankful that Mike and I were able to go on vacation and visit his friends and family in the Midwest.

We had a fun-filled week of birthday parties, farmers' markets, football games, holding babies, shopping, playing phase 10 which led to water-breaking, which led to the birth of our friends' first born--a baby boy, driving, visiting Bethel students, driving some more, an Indians baseball game, driving, building a stair rail, picking apples from an orchard, shopping, driving, camping and to cap it off--a beautiful wedding.

We didn't really have a dull day.

Now it's back to work today.  I'm looking forward to seeing my students again and getting back into the grove of things.  It'll probably take me a while to catch up with all the grading and lesson planning, but I'm so thankful I have a job that I enjoy!

Meanwhile, we'll still keep plugging away at our house.  The counter tops are supposed to be installed today.  I'm really excited about that!

I pray that I would be productive today with all that needs to be accomplished.  I pray I would lean on Jesus for my strength and do everything to honor his name.  I pray also for my loved ones that they'd do the same.

Starting Strong

Jesus, be my strength today.  I pray for patience in the classroom, and joy in my spirit. Help me accomplish what I must before our trip, and not be so one track-minded that I miss opportunities to love others.

Caught up in the Busyness

Like most people I know, I've felt very overwhelmed lately.  There are things pressing upon me from every angle, and even more things that I feel I should be doing.  The pang of guilt is something that I experience every time I'm not able to help with something or commit to help with something.

I honestly don't know how people with children keep their lives composed at all.  I don't have kids yet, and I feel so overwhelmed.  I must lean on Jesus.

There's a saying I remember my youth pastor, Todd Shaw, often say back when I was in high school.  He would remind us that if we were too busy to spend time with God in prayer or reading his word, then we were too busy in general.  The phrase goes like this:  "If you're too busy for God, you're too busy."

To this day, I can relate.  Even sitting down at the computer and trying to compose a post is hard to do these days.  My mind wanders and begins thinking of all the things I "should be doing" and I get side- tracked from what I'm actually doing.  I think they call that A.D.D.

Anyway, this post isn't supposed to be about me rattling off all the things I'm doing or involved with or committed to.  This is a reminder to myself that I need to fix my eyes on Jesus--the author and finisher of my faith.  The author of Hebrews says it best in Ch. 12:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[a] Because of the joy[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;[c] then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin."

Jesus, I thank you for not giving up on me or on the sinful world we live in.  I pray that I would honor you with my lips and with my life.  Take away desires that aren't from you.  Give me a spirit of compassion.  Help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.