Let's Celebrate!

This weekend, I'm celebrating!  What am I celebrating? I'm celebrating my opportunity to get back into the working world. Luke and I have had an absolutely awesome summer - we have spent quality time together that I will cherish forever. And, now the time has come for me to begin fulfilling my purpose as an educator, friend of Jesus, and adorer of children.

On Monday morning, I am going to miss Luke terribly as I spend more hours away from him than I have in over 9 weeks, but my excitement for what lies ahead will get me through each day.

This summer, I go back to work equipped with much more than I usually do. Since Luke has been born, I have gone back to work each year with a hurting and longing in my heart to be here at home with him.  This year is different, I go back to work equipped with the Word of God, peace, and a glimpse of understanding into my purpose - the unselfish purpose of being a light to adults and to children, not because of anything that I have done or will do, but because I carry the hope of Jesus and I want everyone to come to know Him.  

In the past few months, I've realized something very eye opening.  For years, I have been guilty of worrying about my own little world. If things were good in my life and my little space in this world, then I was happy.  I didn't take the time to think of the bigger picture that included others.  I was selfish!  Now, thanks to God, my thoughts have changed. Yes, I still am thankful for the many blessings that God has placed in my little word and I will still attend to my family's day to day needs and will plan fun events, go interesting places, but now I strive to do everything (fun stuff or not) while constantly keeping my heart open to the Holy Spirit trying to hear what He can use me for - no matter where I am.  I have discovered that life is so much bigger than ME (or even ME AND LUKE or ME AND LANDIS).  I have been selfish and I'm so thankful for God's forgiveness and enlightenment, grace and mercy.  Our God is great - so great!

Luke 9:23-26 says, "Then Jesus said to the crowd, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me.  If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.  And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose or forfeit your own soul in the process?  If a person is ashamed of me and my message, I, the Son of Man, will be ashamed of that person when I return in my glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.'"

As I have stated in previous blogs, it is TIME to stand up for Jesus - to not be ashamed of Him and His message.  I will not be ashamed and cannot wait to tell others about Him.

I am blessed to be surrounded by educator friends all over this state and every year around this time, I start praying for all of them.  Usually, I pray for them to have peace and comfort and energy to start off a new school year successfully. I still pray this same pray but I also pray that educators fulfill their purpose this year - not just their purpose in growing the students academically, but their purpose in God's kingdom.  The educators that I have worked with are some of the best hearted, Jesus loving people that I know - they have true purpose in them - my prayer is that they fulfill this purpose - that they stay true to their course. Remember, teachers and school staff - you are a LIGHT for the students you influence - let's demonstrate for them where the true LIGHT comes from - Jesus.  My prayer for this school year is this - may Jesus show himself strong in the classrooms, hallways, and lives of the staff, students, and parents in our communities.

It's going to be a fabulous school year!  Challenges WILL come but with Jesus we have the hope and courage to overcome whatever comes our way. Draw near to Him....He's the best friend and comforter you will ever have...

Thanks for reading,
Toddy