Two Years

It has been two years, exactly to the day, that I have been teaching full-time.

Let's just let that sink in.

;-)

Wow.

Two years. It was the hardest thing I had ever done. I didn't do it well. I had so much fear. But God brought so many people that spoke truth in my life during that time. His word was (is) my refuge.

I've had several quotes/verses on my mirror for nearly two years now.

"Faith In. Fear Out" - Laura Bell

"Fake it till you make it."

"Love thinks the best!"

"Practice, Practice, Practice! You are what you repeatedly do!" - David Hartkopf

"Be prepared to thank God in any circumstance."

"I may be small, but I can do BIG things with Jesus."

"You either live with the pain of discipline or the pain of regret." - heard on KLOVE

"Keep Calm and Count On"

"The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, a prayer to the God of my life." - Psalm 42:8

"O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Psalm 90:14

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance." James 1:2-3

"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." - Galatians 6:9

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith, in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." - 2 Tim.4:7-8

"Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." - James 1:12

These were my life-line through long, stressful, frustrating days, and long, fitful, fearful nights.

But the story doesn't end there.

Two years later.

What have I learned?

To laugh more, and loathe less.

To smile, to sing.

That perfection is not the goal, but progress, principles.

That anything is better when it's a game.

That prayer is the best preparation.

That giving thanks is how to breathe.

To keep the main thing, the main thing. And often, completion of a worksheet, is not the main thing.

To listen more, and talk less.

That a little "brain food" (candy, goldfish) never hurt anyone. ;)

To celebrate.

To slow down.


Over the past two years, I've had the supreme privilege and honor of being "teacher" to 45 kids.

Wow.

That number will humble you.

45.

Was I Jesus to them? Are they seeing Jesus in me?

Prayer is truly the best preparation to fulfill your purpose.

Lord Jesus. You are so faithful. When I'm weak, You are strong. Thank you for your closeness these last two years...for equipping me each day with what I need. May Your word, the seeds, not return void. May these 45 be world-changers for You. Help me to continue learning and growing alongside them. Thank you for this incredible opportunity to be Your hands and feet. I need You Jesus every moment.