November has been a busy month, filled with activities and reflections on life’s pace. In this blog post, I express gratitude for the strength provided by the Lord, while pondering the potential for an even busier life. A desire for simplicity emerges, highlighting my need for alone time to pray and reflect amidst a hectic schedule.
I share experiences working in a Christian school, where teaching young children about God nourishes their spirit. Moments of tranquility, like watching nature or having quiet lunches, become important for maintaining a connection with the Lord.
The narrative emphasizes the significance of impacting others positively, recalling a quote about the only treasures taken to heaven being those instilled in hearts. I also reflect on personal connections and kindness received, contemplating the importance of daily interactions and their spiritual implications.
Despite feeling overwhelmed at times, I am resolved to take life one day at a time, trusting in God’s provision and focusing on love and encouragement for others.
The ultimate goal is to emotionally recover so I can bless others and invest in eternal treasures.
The month of November has quickly passed by!
What a whirlwind of activity!
Reflecting on it, I am truly amazed at how the Lord provided me with inner strength to accomplish everything I needed to do.
Can life really become any busier? I pondered one evening.
“No!” my husband replied firmly.
“It cannot and will not get any busier!”
At first, I chuckled at his dramatic answer to my rhetorical question.
But you know what? He has a point.
Could it be that I’ve taken on too much? Is juggling two jobs excessive?
The current pace of life is unsustainable in the long run.
Honestly, I’m eagerly anticipating the moment when things start to calm down a bit.
I should be cautious about expressing this desire, as it may come true.
Perhaps my governor will impose a stay-at-home order due to COVID-19 restrictions, which would drastically slow down my life!
But that’s not what I wish for, and I assume it’s not your desire either.
If a hectic life is my current reality, I am grateful for it, and I pray, “Lord, grant my husband and me grace!”
However, if we do end up confined to our homes for a while, I will be thankful for that too, knowing the Lord will provide us with the grace we need.
Last May, the Lord urged me to embrace a simpler life.
I even wrote about it in my blog titled, “A Simple Beautiful Life.”
So, what has transpired from then until now?
A whole lot has happened, and now I find myself yearning for that simple, beautiful life once more!
My husband shares this longing too!
More than anything, I think I crave some good old-fashioned alone time.
Time to pray, meditate, read, and reflect – in solitude!
Or to focus on my writing projects – which often seem to have no time allocated!
All of this becomes nearly impossible when you’re constantly on the move!
Or surrounded by people 24/7.
We must face the truth – being around people can be draining! Whether they’re young or old!
If you’re pouring out to others in any capacity, it takes a toll!
Engaging with people, talking to them, and managing relationships can deplete our spiritual energy and resources.
Even Jesus needed to step away from the crowds to recharge.
"And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone," Matthew 14:23 (ESV).
Right now, my spirit feels a bit empty… actually, very empty.
I’ve given so much and feel utterly spent.
Without my daily bread, I would feel like a shriveled prune!
Thank the Lord for providing my daily bread!
Finding moments during the day to focus on the Lord has been my lifeline.
I refer to this as my daily bread.
It is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.
"Sir", they said, "always give us this bread."
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty," John 6:32b - 35 (NIV)
On particularly challenging days, I often need extra help from that heavenly daily bread.
Fortunately, I work in a Christian school where the atmosphere is uplifting, and the children have a sense of who God is.
I am truly grateful for the Bible lessons I get to share with the kindergarteners each day.
This time allows me to connect with the Spirit and speak to their little hearts.
Recently, during one of these lessons, I was able to lead two children to the Lord. It was a precious moment.
I see these Bible lessons as a piece of my daily bread as well.
While they don’t replace my personal devotion time with the Lord, they are a wonderful blessing amidst demanding days.
My spirit is nourished as I share Bible stories with these little ones.
I imagine the Lord delights in their innocent curiosity about these stories.
They listen with wide eyes, eager to learn what happens to the baby in the basket, the strong man Samson, or little Samuel left in the temple by his mother. It’s so adorable!
Naturally, spiritual truths are woven into each narrative, reaching right to their hearts – and they pay attention!
Sometimes, if the kids are well-behaved during playtime, I can glance out the big classroom windows.
Allowing my thoughts to wander for a moment has been a soothing balm for my frayed nerves.
This past fall, I enjoyed watching the leaves change colors and fall to the ground.
It was breathtaking. I truly appreciated it.
Lately, I’ve also witnessed the snowflakes falling gently or people walking their dogs on bright, sunny days.
These brief interludes in my day allow me to turn to the Lord for my daily bread.
Moments when I pause and express gratitude.
A quick dose of tranquility in my otherwise busy day.
Of course, these peaceful moments don’t last long in a kindergarten setting, but I cherish them greatly.
They keep me connected to my Heavenly Father.
Another way I carve out some alone time with the Lord is during lunch in the teacher’s lounge.
If I’m not part of the ongoing conversation, I quietly enjoy my meal while lifting my thoughts to the Lord, receiving my daily bread.
As I reflect on Him, I consider His grace, mercy, and support, which sustains me.
When it’s my turn to supervise the kids at recess, I make a point to leave my cell phone in the classroom.
Doing so ensures that my attention isn’t divided, allowing me to watch over the kids while lifting my heart to the Lord.
I’m discovering that no matter how hectic my day is or how many people are around, I can still find time to focus on the Lord when I truly desire to.
One thought that has lingered in my mind during these times is a quote from a pastor friend:
“The only things you can take to heaven are those things the Lord has done in your heart and those things you have done in the hearts of others.”
Doesn’t that make you pause and reflect?
I committed that quote to memory as soon as I heard it.
Nothing on this earth can accompany us to heaven when we pass away.
The only treasures we can bring are those the Lord has cultivated in our hearts and the impacts we have made in the hearts of others…
These are the heavenly rewards.
What are some of the things the Lord has instilled in your heart?
Have you led people to the Lord? Or offered counsel?
Were you a listening ear to a heavy-hearted friend?
Have you taught Sunday school? Planting God’s word into the hearts of others?
Have you loved others, by showing mercy? Offering forgiveness?
Have you blessed others with a smile, a hug, or a friendly gesture?
Could it be that my busy days are worthwhile after all, since I’m investing in the lives of these kindergarteners?
Showing them love? Providing gentle guidance? Teaching them about God’s ways? Leading them to Him?
Even though my role is that of their teacher, I am influencing their little lives in one way or another!
Because people impact people! Regardless of age!
We leave a bit of ourselves on others when we spend time with them.
Just as the Lord invests Himself in us when we spend time with Him.
And unbeknownst to me, I’m also impacting everyone I encounter throughout my day, whether in big or small ways!
These reflections encourage me to walk carefully around others – those I meet on the street, at work, and in my own home.
Contemplating the heavenly rewards stemming from the fruits of my actions in others’ hearts motivates me to be more intentional.
To take more time to receive my daily bread.
As I pondered these thoughts earlier today, I discovered a box in my closet filled with cards and letters from friends and family during our move to New York a few years ago.
Birthday cards, thinking-of-you cards, letters, holiday cards—you name it, it was in that box.
Going through these cards made me feel incredibly cherished by the friends and family we left behind in Michigan.
As I shuffled through the box, I noticed that many cards seemed to come from the same person.
This surprised me.
How come I never realized how much this person had reached out to us during that time?
I pulled out some of her letters and cards. They were so heartfelt.
And there were so many!
It touched me deeply and I felt truly blessed by her generous actions.
It inspired me to want to do the same.
To give.
To make a meaningful impact.
I am sure the Lord took note of her kind gestures towards us and how they affected me – even after the fact.
Do you think she will receive a reward in heaven someday?
Yes, I believe so.
Not only for her thoughtful efforts to comfort us but also because her actions instilled something in my spirit that I now wish to pass along to others.
“The only things you can take to heaven are those things the Lord has done in your heart and those things you have done in the hearts of others.”
In my memoir, I share a story about a young teenager who showed immense kindness to me when I was younger.
To this day, because of her kindness, I strive to show the same kindness to others, often thinking of her.
Do you think she will receive a reward in heaven every time I extend kindness to others as she did to me?
Yes, I believe so.
I truly do.
She invested something precious in my spirit.
She made an investment in me.
And she will reap the rewards of her heavenly investment someday.
There’s a profound desire within me to store up treasures in heaven.
To deposit riches into my heavenly bank account.
This past year, I’ve focused heavily on completing my songbook, my memoir, and other personal projects to further God’s kingdom and lay up treasure in heaven.
Yet, I sometimes overlook the people in my everyday life that I could impact.
There are treasures to be found right within my kindergarten classroom!
Right within my home! My church!
My eyes are set on a heavenly city, and that’s where I want my treasures to be.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also," Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV).
Yes, my projects will eventually be completed and may even touch someone’s life one day, but they are not done yet, and I am here now, needing to keep my focus upward and my heart open to those around me in the present moment—
Instead of rushing through my day to get home and work on my projects!
I need to remain ready to help someone in need, offer a hug, encourage them, or pray with them—investing in them and our eternal futures.
Daily bread is a necessity for this!
We must make time for our daily bread.
As the Lord gives us this daily bread, we in turn can give out to others with grace and dignity.
I know I make time for a snack or two during the day...
and I know I make time for a cup of coffee...
Then why shouldn't I make time for my daily bread?
This can be the simple action of looking out the window for a few minutes and turning your heart heavenward, receiving from above.
It is just enough to sustain you until you can look out the window again.
We need sustenance everyday.
And we need our daily bread every day too.
It fills us for the moment, brings life, gives perspective, ushers in grace, and sustains us.
Then we have the power to impact people in a beautiful way.
There’s a little girl in my kindergarten class who sometimes plays teacher during playtime.
Guess who she mimics when she pretends to be the teacher!
Me!
It’s so adorable…
And a little intimidating too, LOL!
Who knew she was observing my mannerisms so closely!
She’s not the only one who notices; others do too!
That’s why we need to be mindful of walking in love, impacting others for the kingdom of God.
My daughter Avery, who teaches 1st and 2nd grade in the same school, mentioned at the start of the school year that I walked through the halls with confidence.
"Oh really?" I responded with a laugh.
She wanted to encourage me, as both of us felt quite inadequate when we first began.
This made me chuckle!
"Well, thanks Avery, but you know I’ve taught kids before," I thought to myself!
I had no idea I was projecting that kind of assurance. But, hey! That’s cool!
Her remark shifted my perspective.
I’m being observed. People are noticing my actions and words.
I’m sowing seeds in others’ hearts every single day, in one way or another.
And that’s what I’ll take to heaven with me.
The things the Lord has instilled in my heart and the things I’ve imparted into the hearts of others.
Which makes my daily bread incredibly significant.
I must confess, I felt a bit overwhelmed this past November, wondering when I would find time to write this blog, finish my songbook, prepare dessert or dinner, reach out to a friend… or read my Bible… all while managing two jobs and caring for two guys at home.
But there was no reason to fret.
As I entrusted each day to the Lord, He provided the necessary daily bread for that day.
So, my resolution has been to take it one day at a time.
Running my race swiftly, yet steadily.
Trusting the Lord to help me navigate the obstacles that arise.
Granting me grace to tackle challenges head-on and accept things I cannot change.
Yes, I feel a pressing need in my spirit to complete all the projects set before me, but sometimes there simply isn’t enough time in the day.
So, I entrust those projects to the Lord and await the right time for their completion.
For now, I will walk in love, build myself up in the Word of God, and fill my cup so I can pour out to others when opportunities arise.
So I can be an example for others to follow.
Someone once asked me what I hoped to achieve with this blog and website.
Well, I aim to bless and encourage the hearts of Christian women everywhere—
And of course, lay up treasures in heaven!
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven,
Give us this day, our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the power and the glory forever,
Amen
“The only things you can take to heaven, are those things the Lord has done in your heart and those things you have done in the hearts of others.” - Curtis Sharp, (Missionary in Coast Rica).
This quote was taken from a sermon by Pastor Curtis Sharp, titled, The Trying of Your Faith. He is an ordained minister and missionary with Zion Fellowship International, Waverly, NY.
Read books offered from Zion Fellowship International, Waverly, NY, HERE.
Thank you!
Blessings ~
My Sun & Shade
Image found on Unsplash
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