Wisdom for Wednesday - Let the Lord Work

Hello there! I hope you are having a wonderful week. I'm feeling quite a bit better after being horribly sick the last couple weeks AND the sun has been shining some the last few days. I don't know about you, but this time of year, I get a little antsy for spring!

Let's jump in to this week's bit of wisdom. :-)

I've been going through the Psalm 119 (again) this year. Last year, I was attempting to memorize all 176 verses. I don't mind admitting that I made it into the 80's and started to struggle. I picked it up again, this time focusing on a section at a time, and instead tried to focus on a favorite verse or phrase from each section. A much more attainable goal!

Anyway, my favorite phrase from Psalm 119:121-128...

It is time for thee, LORD, to work... 

SURRENDER. 

Too often I'm trying to fix things (or people--gasp!) and the Lord just wants room to work. Surrender it all to Him! His work is going to be way better than ours!

Short and sweet. What can I say? ;-)

P.S. If you were wondering, my favorite verse that section is 125.

Wisdom for Wednesday - Faithfulness

Good morning! I'm glad you stopped in for a little mid-week Wisdom. I know that I always need to refocus mid-week, and this week is no exception. At our basketball game last night, it felt like Friday already if that tells you anything about the week I'm having. Ha!

My own kids (and many at school) have been battling what I'm pretty sure is the flu. Both are on the mend now...I think. Not fun. Not fun at all. So far my husband and I have remained healthy...

Anyway...

I stumbled upon this quote by Jim Berg in his book God is More than Enough: 

Take a moment and let that sink in, would you? I know I had to... I read it over quickly at first. However, after thinking about it, I realized just how much truth is in that little quote. 

We must have a clear picture of God's faithfulness if we are to live the life of faith that God wants from us. We must know God is faithful. We must believe that He can and will carry out the promises He has given us in His Word.

He is faithful to forgive us from our sins. He is faithful to provide an eternal home is heaven. He is faithful to be with us through trials and temptations. He is faithful to guide and direct our steps. He is faithful to watch over us. He is faithful to care for us. He is faithful to keep His promises.

God is faithful!

Berg goes on to say, "God's promises will have little impact upon you if you do not believe He is faithful."

We must believe God is faithful to keep His promises. When we believe that, we can't help but live a life of faith. His faithfulness fuels--drives--our faithfulness. It motivates us to keep trusting, to keep pressing on, to keep moving forward in our walk with Him.

God is faithful!

Wisdom for Wednesday - More Christlike (and whining about a snow day)

Snow days! Twice in the last two weeks! What is going on around here? Ha!

Seriously though. I'm home today (Tuesday) because of cold weather. Last week, we were off on Thursday due to icy road conditions. About that...

You all will laugh, but I have gotten to the point where I don't even "hope" for snow days. I had exchanged a few texts with Kristi and some of other teacher friends the night before and kept telling them (and myself) that it wasn't going to happen. So when my phone rang last Thursday morning, my first reaction was to wonder who in the world was calling me so early in the morning!

Today was different. We knew yesterday afternoon, and I was bummed. Normally, I would be extremely happy about this extra day at home (and one where we knew ahead of time!), but this has put a few wrinkles in the schedule of our league basketball tournament (remember I'm the assistant coach) that I'm not crazy about. 

Oh well...couldn't be helped, I guess. I'll just be thankful for this day to get this post ready, rest up, and start on my assignment that is due Friday. I'm a little annoyed by that considering my Spring classes don't even officially open up until tomorrow! Last semester, I usually had a week or two to get assignments done. This might be a tough semester for me...(insert worried emoji here).

Okay, enough whining and on to the reason you're here (hopefully :-)).

This week's quote is part of a larger quote from The Crucified Life by A.W. Tozer. Check it out:

“If we understand that everything happening to us is to make us more Christlike, it will solve a great deal of anxiety in our lives.” 

Everything? Really?

Yes, really. I'm reminding myself too. Remember, I was the one just complaining about an inconvenient snow day!

When we stop and consider our eternal purpose, we are able to keep our circumstances in perspective. I know I'm guilty of sometimes focusing on the stuff, the circumstances. And of course, when I focus on those earthly things, it causes anxiety and worry. 

Instead I have to remember to look at everything--the good, the bad, the ugly--with an eternal perspective. It's not easy, and it certainly isn't my natural reaction to my circumstances. 

Here's a couple of my favorite verses to remind me:

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:1-2

Have a happy day! And if you haven't had one yet, may a snow day be in your future. ;-)

Wisdom for Wednesday - Be Humble

Happy New Year! I'm headed back to work today. It seems like the break went fast, but doesn't it always? I had a lot of things on my to-do list that just didn't happen, but that is okay. I'm relaxed, rested, and ready to get back to it!

This week for our wisdom post, I thought I'd share my "one little word" for 2018 although mine always seems to be "one little phrase."

***The part below was originally posted on my author page yesterday.***

I stopped doing New Year's Resolutions a few years ago and instead chose a word or phrase that I wanted to focus on for the year. For the past several years, it has been "Embrace the Day." If you want to read my thoughts on that, you can go here.

This year, I knew it was time for something different. The Lord has been working on my heart in an area that deserved more than a passing thought.

Humility.

More specifically humility within relationships.

Anybody ever have trouble getting along with someone else?

Let me raise my hand first.

We all have relationships that take more work than others. Maybe there is an underlying tension between you and the other person that makes it a strained relationship. Maybe you and the other person just disagree on some things and you simply cannot find that middle ground. Maybe you are constantly praying about your relationship with that person and trying to find ways to communicate your difference of opinion in a kind way.

That was me in the last month or so.

I knew I was in a strained relationship and didn't really know how to "fix" it. I began praying about it, knowing that I didn't want my attitude toward the other person to become sin in my life. As I was praying and seeking God's will in the relationship, I stumbled upon this verse.

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. Proverbs 13:10

Um...ouch!

Before I go any further, take a look at the definition of contention (taken from Websters 1828).

Strife; struggle; a violent effort to obtain something, or to resist a person, claim or injury; contest; quarrel.

Yep! That pretty much summed up what I had been feeling toward the other person (so...thankfully not the violent part...). The Lord opened my eyes to see that the differences in opinions, the contention, was all the result of pride. Many times when I would get annoyed or angry with the other person, it was due to what their comments did to my pride. It was my pride that insisted I was right and they were wrong.

In truth, I'd argue that pride is at the root of all sin in our life, but we'll save that for another time.

I began to think, "Be humble. Be kind."

Over and over again.

Each time I interacted with this person, those words would play over and over in my heart and mind.

Did it make everything better? Well, no, not really.

In fact, I remember a day I confided in my husband that being humble would be a lot easier if the other person were also trying to be humble!

And yes, that is true.

But the Lord convicted me to focus only on my pride. Focus on my efforts to be humble in the relationship.

I can't tell you the relationship has gotten any easier, but I can tell you that my attitude has changed. I'm not as sensitive as I was because the comments--the digs, as I call them--don't have to bruise my pride if I'm trying to be humble.

I'll keep my focus on humility. Putting others before myself. Seeking opportunities to show kindness.

That feels so much better than contention anyway.

Do you have a word or phrase for this year? I'd love to hear it! Leave it in the comments. :-)

Wisdom for Wednesday - Be Strong and Courageous

Happy Wednesday! The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas always seems to fly by--even as the Title I teacher. I love seeing the Christmas things popping up around my building! 

I find I'm feeling some of the same feelings I had as a classroom teacher. I'm starting to worry that some of my kiddos are not progressing as much as I'd hoped. Others are making great strides, but there is always that sense of...fear. 

Am I doing enough? 

What more could I try?

That sense of fear is something that can creep up into all sorts of life's situations (as I'll share shortly), and it inspired this week's Wisdom post.

These last few weeks, the Lord has been prompting me to begin writing another Bible study. I have to admit to you that I have been putting it off. There is just something completely overwhelming about staring at that empty page in my word processing document.

As I sat down the other day and actually started typing what ended up being a letter to my "readers," the Lord began to show me what was at the root of my hesitation.

Fear.

Doubts.

Even as I typed them--in essence admitting my fear and doubts about my ability to write a Bible study*--He began to reassure me.

*You may be thinking, "But you already wrote one!" Can I just tell you that it still scares me to death?

First with His Word. He reminded me of Joshua. He too was afraid of failing, but the Lord continued to reassure him over and over again. Multiple times, God commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous. 

Then with His people. In one week, I received so many reassuring messages from people who had no idea the struggle I was having! Random people! People I didn't even know were doing my first study just happened to message me and let me know how the Lord was using it in their lives. I have no doubt that it was God at work, prompting them to contact me to give me the encouragement I needed. Prompting me to be strong and courageous!

And now, I want to prompt you. Whatever the Lord has called you to do (teaching kiddos to read? :-)), be strong and courageous! :-)

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:9

Oh, and about that first study, I'm having a Christmas special when you order directly from me. Check it out here (and enter the giveaway)!

Wisdom for Wednesday - Thankful

For this week's Wisdom for Wednesday, I just want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and share these free printable thankful cards I stumbled on! They are so cute and perfect for displaying reminders to have a thankful heart this time of year (and always?). :-)

From the Good Enough blog.

Wisdom for Wednesday - What do I Savor?

Happy Wednesday! I hope you are off to a wonderful week. 

I was sad to see our volleyball season end on Saturday, but I must admit I am looking forward to some time at home after school the next few weeks before basketball begins! I'm not sure I will know what to do with all my free time...although so far I've grocery shopped on Monday and did some cooking and cleaning on Tuesday. Something tells me that free time will be gone before I know it!

Let's jump right into our Wisdom for Wednesday. I don't know if I should call this a quote or a question. It is a question, but it is also a quote. ;-)

Taken from the Bible study I wrote, There's a Fly in my Tea (aff. link).

When I think of savoring something, my mind immediately goes to chocolate. I love chocolate, especially rich, dark chocolate. In order to control my chocoholic tendencies, I will take one of my favorite dark chocolate truffles from the bag, carefully unwrap it, and take a tiny bite. I let that morsel of chocolate sit on my tongue until it is completely melted, take a drink of water, and repeat until the truffle is gone. As you can imagine, one truffle lasts a long time when eaten this way and by the time I'm finished, I am satisfied and have no need for a second truffle (this paragraph also taken from the study).

So what does savor have to do with anything?

In Matthew 16:21-33, we find Jesus had told the disciples of His coming death, burial, and resurrection. Peter rebuked Him. I just love Peter! His battle with his tongue is so much like my own. Anyway, Peter's rebuke definitely came from a lack of understanding, but there was something else to it. Jesus responds, "Get thee behind me, Satan..." (the very familiar part of the verse) but he goes on to say, "...thou art an offence unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men."

It made me wonder...what do I savor (besides chocolate)? Do I savor the things of men? Or the things of God?

If I'm honest, I know that I spend more time savoring the things of this world than I do savoring the things of God. I also know that I can't be perfect in this area, but I can be diligent to keep a right relationship with the Lord. 

What about you? What do you savor?

P.S. If you're interested in seeing how Peter eventually "got it," check out II Peter 1:3-14. ;-)

P.S.S. Feel free to check out my author page or FB page. 

Wisdom for Wednesday - Be Kind and Respectful

Hey there! It's Wisdom for Wednesday! 

Can you sense my excitement? It is because tomorrow is our "Friday" because we have had parent teacher conferences the last two nights. So exhausting!

I keep thinking of Friday morning. No alarm. And this will be my first Saturday without a volleyball tournament in six weeks. That means Saturday is also a no alarm day. Woohoo!

I'm sending you over to my author page for this bit of wisdom--if you want the whole story. I posted it there first and wanted to share with you all as well. :-)

Here's hoping you have a great rest of the week!

Wisdom for Wednesday - No Half Jobs

Good morning! I hope you are having a great week. Mine seems to be going very fast...that may be due to the fact that I will be at a training all day tomorrow and we have a staff development day on Friday. It just feels all wrong--Ha!

Sometimes short weeks feel longer to me...anyone else?

Anyway, in our P.O.P. group we share a verse of the week along with the names of the 6-8 staff members we are praying for. 

Years ago, this week's verse became inspiration for one of my core beliefs and I was surprised I hadn't shared it with you all in a Wisdom post. I did hint at it once, but never really featured it, so...

And whatsoever ye do,
do it heartily,
as to the Lord,
and not unto men.

Colossians 3:23

I can't say for sure exactly when this became my mantra, but I know it was when I was a stay-at-home mom with two little kiddos underfoot. Now those two little kiddos are a senior and junior in high school! Yikes!

There were days when I just didn't accomplish much. I had things I wanted to do and would often neglect the simple things that needed done around the house. Dusting? No thank you. And the laundry? Well, I would do it and then put the clean clothes on the couch to be folded later. Dishes? Well, I can't stand a dirty dish in the sink, but the clean ones would often sit in the dishwasher for some time before I got to them.

One day as I was studying, the Lord showed me Colossians 3:17 and 23. He convicted me about my "housekeeping" habits and gave me a new perspective. I wasn't keeping house for my kids or even my husband. I was keeping house for Him!
And I was doing a half-job... :-(

It was then that "No Half Jobs!" became my mantra--and not just in housekeeping, but in everything I do. As a wife and a mom. As I went back to work, then school, and now as a teacher this has become one of my core beliefs. I don't do it for me. I don't do it for others. I do it all for the Lord and He deserves more than a half-job! 

My husband and kids have heard it over and over. You could say it is one of our family mottos now. We don't do half-jobs. And when someone is slipping, well, you can be sure that someone else is going to call them out on it (and yes, sometimes the one slipping is me). We're not perfect, but "No Half Jobs!" reminds us to think about why we do what we do and Who we are doing it for.

What do you think? Any half-jobs in your life right now? 

Believe me, I still have to evaluate areas of my life on a constant basis and ask if I'm giving my all. When I'm not, I remind myself that I'm doing it for the Lord and He deserves more than a half-job!

Have a blessed week!

Wisdom for Wednesday - Power of Prayer

Hello there! I hope you are having a wonderful week. I'm glad you stopped by for this week's Wisdom post. 

You may remember that I went through my Bible study, There's a Fly in my Tea (aff. link), with some ladies online this summer. It was a great opportunity for spiritual growth--especially for me. 

I found myself praying for those ladies and that study more than I had prayed over anything before. This need to pray was motivated by the weight of responsibility I felt for the ladies and the things that I was teaching them. I wanted to represent the Lord and His Word in a way that was pleasing to Him.

Believing in the power of prayer is what led me to share this quote with you today...

I wanted to take a minute to share something that a group of us have started at our school this year. We are calling ourselves the P.O.P. (Power of Prayer) group. Our group desires to joyfully share the love of Christ through prayer and small gestures of support for our staff this year. We kicked off the year by giving out cans of pop and letting the staff know who we are with a little note that said, "Pop, pop. Fizz, fizz. What a great team member you is." 

Each week, we have between 6-8 staff members that we are especially praying for and we will cycle through these names three times during the year. These names, along with a verse of the week, are posted and we encourage others to join in praying for them. This time around, we are giving out a bag of popcorn and letting them know we are praying for them. We have some other fun things planned for the year...many of which include inviting staff to "pop" in for a treat of some kind in the teacher's lounges. 

It has been fun to get involved in a positive group at our school this way, and I know that the focus on praying for our school and staff is changing me (just like the quote above says)! :-)

Wisdom for Wednesday - An Old Favorite

Good morning! 

I've seen the posts...so many of you are already back to school and I feel for you! I know I will be in that same exhausted, frazzled state in just a couple of weeks. That's why I have to share one of my absolute favorite bits of "wisdom" today (originally posted in August of 2014, and probably a few times since).

Can I get an amen?

I know this quote goes with many others I have posted about priorities, embracing the day, and keeping things in perspective, but that is because it is one of my biggest personal challenges.

I can't help it! 

When I see a quote that reminds me not to be overwhelmed with the here and now, it speaks to me every. single. time.

(By the way, where did that period in the middle of a sentence thing start? It must be a bloggy thing because I have found myself wanting to do it lately, and it must be from reading blogs. I've resisted until now because it is not grammatically correct and I am a perfectionist, you know...)

This is a perfect reminder for me as I begin this school year. I love the way it is worded. The word refuse implies that I have a choice (and I do). I also like the word swamped...so fitting for how I feel much of the time.

I wonder...

In order to refuse to be swamped...could it mean that I might have to say "no" more often? 

And as for those things that I don't have an option to say "no" to, could it be that I can choose not to be swamped by them?

I think if I keep my focus on the Lord where it should be, the answer to both questions is yes. 

What about you?

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Me again here in the present...praying for you all as you head back to school. 

May you lean on The One who can give you the energy and strength to make it through this busy time. 

May you NOT be swamped with the cares of this life--and instead focus on the eternal.

May you have a blessed school year! 

Wisdom for Wednesday - God is preparing us...

Hello there!

I'm in the middle of celebrating my "birthday week" as my husband calls it and enjoying the last few weeks of summer vacation. 

I don't know about you, but the last week of July always feels like my break is over even though I don't officially return until August 21st. I think it is because once August hits, my back-to-school to-do list starts overwhelming me a bit...and I can't stop thinking about it!

Anyway, I'm glad you're joining me for this week's wisdom post. I know I say this a lot, but I LOVE this quote! ;-)

As I've been going through my Bible study, There's a Fly in my Tea (affiliate link), with my online study group, the Lord has continued to use it in my life. I know that seems odd...since I wrote it, but it is the truth! This summer study has been so good for me!

This last week, I encouraged the group to read Genesis 37-50 in preparation for a chapter on service. As I reread these chapters about Joseph, the Lord had me considering this idea of preparation (and forgiveness) as well.

If you are unfamiliar with the life of Joseph, I'll try to give you a brief summary here before I jump in to this quote:

Joseph's brothers hated him, envied him, and wanted to kill him. He was sold into slavery, falsely accused and imprisoned, and then forgotten in prison. He was the only one--he gives God all the credit--able to interpret Pharaoh's dreams warning of the coming famine. Pharaoh then sets Joseph up as ruler over the land of Egypt.

During the famine, Joseph's brothers come to buy food from Egypt, and we get to read about an amazing story of forgiveness and restoration.

Joseph was never angry or bitter.

Instead, he says things like this (emphasis mine):

"...be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life." 45:5

"And God sent me before you to preserve you..." 45:7

"...it was not you that sent me hither, but God..." 45:8

"Fear not: for am I in the place of God?" 50:19

"...ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good..." 50:20

All throughout the story, Joseph has an understanding that God had put him exactly where he needed to be for a greater purpose.

God had prepared Joseph for what he had prepared for Joseph.

And he does the same for us...

God is always preparing us for what He has prepared for us.

P.S. Visit me on my author FB page!

Wisdom for Wednesday - Get out of the boat!

Hey there! Happy Wednesday!

Is anyone else feeling like their to-do list is longer than the summer break they have left?

I mean, I'm looking ahead at my July calendar and seeing August will be here before I know it. And I know my mind will immediately shift to my back-to-school to-do list and all these unfinished summer projects will become...ahem...Christmas break projects (maybe).

Anyone with me? Anyone? ;-)

Oh, well. It is what it is!

Let's get on with today's bit of wisdom.

I love this phrase! In fact, it might be my favorite chapter title from my Bible study, There's a Fly In My Tea! (affiliate link).

This summer I'm going through my study with some ladies in a Facebook group. It has been a great refresher to me (yes, I can still be convicted by my own writing ;-)) and so fun to interact with these ladies as we strive to grow in our walk with the Lord. 

We covered this chapter a couple of weeks ago, and I found myself once again thinking, "Get out of the boat!"

The phrase came from the passage of when Peter walks on water in Matthew 14:22-33. Instead of just focusing on how Peter began to sink when he took his eyes off of Jesus (which is a great lesson), the study includes a portion celebrating that "at least he got out of the boat!"

Getting out of the boat is being obedient to what God asks us to do. Maybe it is steps of simple obedience--spending time with Him in prayer and Bible study--or maybe it is something bigger. 

One of my bigger "getting out of the boat" moments was the writing of the Bible study which I share in the book. Another was when I decided to go back to school and become a teacher. 

This year, I'll be "getting out of the boat" and starting a new position at my school. 

Reading specialist. 

I'm extremely excited...and a little nervous. Sure, I could have stayed in the comfort of my boat (2nd grade classroom), but I knew God was calling me to something different. Stepping out in obedience can sometimes be uncomfortable and a little frightening, but so worth it in the end!

Here's  another quote from the chapter that I love:

I know I'm writing to an amazingly talented group of people--we're teachers after all! So tell me...do you need to get out of the boat? :-)

P.S. I'd love to have you visit my author website and/or Facebook page if you're interested. :-)

Wisdom for Wednesday - It's Not All About Me!

I'm back! I'm back!

I've had a busy couple of weeks. First, traveling with the girls basketball team to team camp. Then leaving the next day for a week at Silver State Baptist Youth Camp in the Colorado Rockies with our youth group from church. This week is basketball camp for the littles in the morning and VBS in the evening! I'm feeling a little like summer will be over by the time I get to slow down, but I know that is not really true!

The good news is a week of being without the distractions of technology and hearing a lot of good Bible preaching gave me plenty of quotes to pick from for today's Wisdom for Wednesday.

Of course, I had to pick the one that "stung" me the most.
***Youth camp is not just for young people!***

One of the pastors did a series on "Teenagers Out-Of-Step With God" using Jacob and Esau as examples. No, Jacob and Esau were not teenagers when their story is told, but they do exhibit some characteristics that we can see in teenagers (and ourselves). 

Also, remember this is only part of the story. Jacob had his own issues--just not relevant to what I'm trying to share today!

One of the lessons was titled, "Why are teenagers so angry?" and focused on the anger we see from Esau in Genesis 27:34, 41-45. 

As we studied and looked back at verse thirty-one, we saw the words  'me' or 'my' 9 times. 

Esau was angry because he wasn't getting his way. 

Teenagers are often angry when they don't get their way. 

I get angry when I don't get my way!

Before you start thinking I am an 'all-the-time' angry person, let me explain. I had to evaluate when I get angry...and it is usually at work (school). You know...when I'm told we are going to do something a certain way...and I don't like it.

Often times, I am even right and my way would be better!

Or at least I think so...

The Lord convicted me about this attitude and made me realize that even if I think (or know) that my way would be better, it does not excuse my tendency to get angry.

When we get angry when things don't go our way, we are saying, "It's all about me!"

 But our attitude should be, "It's all about Him!" 

If it's all about Him, I'll determine to have the right heart and right response toward my administrators and/or coworkers even if I don't always agree with them.

Now...please tell me I'm not alone! 

This was difficult to admit... :-(