release

I have held many things in my hands and lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess.
-- Martin Luther

funny friday

I really should make a quotation book for all the hilarious things students say. I feel like I don't capture those moments often enough. In any given day, there are a multitude!

Here are a few from today. Remember I teach high school!

"Are cashews peaunuts?" (Said in all sweet sincerity).

"I don't want to touch that bug. It might 'get' me!"

"Miss S-------, you should paint your toenails. They are
nasty!"

(That was the funniest one today. No shame...!)

more signs of spring

signs of spring

sick of sin

Sometimes I just get so sick of sin,
both in my own life and in the lives of those around me.

I get tired of giving in to variations of the same temptations over and over again.
I become weary of fighting against the thoughts, the looks, the words, etc. that seem to come so naturally when I least expect them.
My longing is to be like Jesus, to be perfect as we are called to be, but it is so evident that I am not. And it is frustrating and humbling.

I live in the knowledge of grace. I truly do. But sometimes it seems that "song" is abused and used as an excuse, so I am cautious there.
We do need to struggle and wrestle and fight.
And ultimately, release. Submit. Give up our burden and yoke for the one that is easier and lighter.

And again, it is grace that shines through.
Boundless grace.
Matchless forgiveness.
Unsurpassed love.

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:8-9

...just remembering...

the balance in "vocation"

"If any that fear God shall complain that, although they have a calling, yet it is a hard and laborious one, which takes up too much of their time which they would gladly employ in other and better work, I answer that it is likely that the wisdom of Providence foresaw this to be the most suitable and proper employment for you; and if you had more ease and rest, you might have more temptations than now you have....Do not be slothful and idle in your vocations....And yet do not be so intent upon your particular callings as to make them interfere with your general calling. Beware that you do not lose your God in the crowd and hurry of earthly business" (Flavel, The Mystery of Providence, 77-79, emphasis mine).

Recently I was reminded of the children's song, "The Wedding Banquet," which is a song version of Matthew 22 (see here). This song shares how sometimes it is the ordinary things of life that keep people from the wedding feast (ie the Kingdom of God). Flavel's exposition on calling and vocation again reminded me of this fact. May we walk and work carefully, purposefully and watchfully.