Remember Who You Are

Monday, January 3, 2011

Surviving

So, what do I say about today?

I survived it.

I got up early, really early (and I'm feeling it now. Yawn!). Going into work after the break was easier than I imagined it'd be. I was actually very happy to see my co-workers and to catch up on what everyone's been doing for the past few weeks. The morning session was a chance to get to know teachers from our sister schools and to glean their ideas for my classroom. I get to work with lots of wonderful educators!

My team decided that we would treat ourselves to a nice lunch out. It's a rare treat to sit down to a relaxing noon-time meal during the school day. Along with our delicious cajun food, we had fun discussing movies and other non-work-related topics.

It's amazing how much easier it is to be a teacher when you don't have students around. LOL

It makes me think, though. My training and experience, maybe even gifts, for work are not for myself. I'm meant to educate. Without my pupils I can show up, go out to lunch, and have an easy day, but then I'd be missing out on my purpose.

Is that how I'm meant to live as a believer? I can survive and just kind of show up each day as a Christian (I'm sure I do it way too often!) or I can take up the work that I'm meant to do. It may be harder..., but I'm designed and equipped to do more than just make it through. I don't want to just survive the day, but to do what God would want from me, to strive to make Him known.

Thank you, God, for giving my life meaning and for allowing me to live for you through my work.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

"God is great, God is good..."

The past two weeks of winter break vacation have been such a blessing! I've rested (I didn't realize just how tired this old body was!), I've relaxed and I've spent some real time with my dear family. We played games and ate and just hung out together. Having my husband and all of my children around me has been a great medicine, physically and emotionally. Just what the doctor ordered! :)

I also read a book over the break that encouraged and challenged me mentally and spiritually, Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick. I want to have the kind of faith he describes, an audacious faith, that doesn't insult my Lord. If I really believe that prayer from childhood, that "God is great, God is good...", then why don't I live like I believe it?! He's able to handle anything and everything and he does love me more than I can imagine. I know that... until I forget it, which is way too often!

This year, my 52nd year on this earth, maybe I can do a better job of remembering. I hope so!

Blog's purpose

"Remember who you are" is a reminder my father has given to his five children since we were kids. He's said it so many times to us through the years that it's become engrained in our minds. In honor of him, I thought I would use his catch phrase as the name of my blog. My purpose in creating it is to remind myself each day of how blessed I am, of how great and how good is my God.

This is where I want to "raise my Ebenezer" as the old hymn "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" reminds us to do. I Samuel 7:12 states,

Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means "the stone of help"), for he said, "Up to this point the Lord has helped us!"

God has helped me throughout my life, but I tend to forget that. I am tired of doing that, of getting to the end of each day and rarely taking the time to stop and think about how he's taken care of me. Each post will be an Ebenezer, a building of an altar in praise of my faithful Father.