Waterfall

This post materialized for me in the middle of the night last night....my mind is starting to turn toward school again.  :)

I have to say that this summer has not been the easiest for me.  I am a big believer in the fact that we all go through seasons in our lives.  This summer God has taken me through a tough one.  Circumstances (some under my control and some not), have contributed to my feeling downright depressed.  Some things I dreamed of haven't materialized and I have been left considering what my role is in the world.....

I am so thankful for the book, "Loving God with All Your Mind".  That, along with the Scriptures, has helped me to reframe and move forward.  In the book, the author talks some about Joseph, and how his life didn't play out the way he thought it would, (beaten, sold into slavery, unjustly accused, etc.)  but he gave God the  glory and realized that many people were saved in spite of his challenges....his suffering and the way his life played out was worth it.  This led me to think about how my life influences others.....

Yesterday, during summer school, one of my students came up to me and started talking a mile a minute about something she had seen on youtube.  Of course, I didn't know for sure what she was referring to, but it was fun to hear her share so emphatically.  Another student joined us to listen.  As the student talked, I took a drink from my water bottle, and before I even had a chance to to stop it, water started streaming out of my nose like a waterfall!  I don't know if this has ever happened to you, but you don't usually plan on it and it's really embarassing.  But all I could do was laugh.....I still don't get what happened!

Later that morning I shared this story with a boy in my class (I have no shame!).  He really got a kick out of it and smiled quite a bit.  You may ask what the point of this story is....well, it became clear to me in the dark of night.  The boy who got the big smile out of my story has been through a lot.  A few years ago his auntie was brutally mudered by her boyfriend, and left their baby (his cousin) parentless.  That baby is now being raised by his grandparents and getting justice for the baby's mom has been a long fight.  These grandparents are kind people - both of them have been bus drivers for my students.   I got a chance to talk with grandma and my student yesterday.

It is in these seemingly small interactions that I get the privilege of sharing my faith and loving people the way God intends.  Giving my student something to laugh/smile about in the midst of a life that has already seen way too much tragedy, is a joy and the Lord used me in a unique way to brighten his day.  That was my job and my purpose in that moment....that is how I am to live.....listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit and loving people the way He wants me to.  I am thankful for the clarity God has given me in this example.  Any loss or sadness I have experienced will only help me to better understand my students and love them as I should.

God is good!