Two ways of living...

"Do not be calm about anything, but in everything, by dwelling on it constantly and feeling picked on by God, with thoughts like 'and this is the thanks I get,' present your aggravations to everyone you know but Him. And the acid in your stomach, which transcends all milk products, will cause you an ulcer, and the doctor bills will cause you a heart attack and you will lose your mind."

OR

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 4:6-7)

I recently read this comparison in Beth Moore's book, Breaking Free. Not only did her negative version of this verse make me giggle...and realize that we humans tend to act that way...but I really felt reminded that in all things I have access to unfailing peace. And THAT is a gift!

In today's economy...

I've been feeling the stress lately. Rumors are flying again at work. Will I have a job next year? Will my husband? I can tell you there's only One who knows for sure!

I've set out to memorize Matthew 6:25-34. It speaks to my attitude and the way I need to change it:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, oh you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6: 25-34

Today, when we remember Christ's suffering and death, it makes the problems of my life seem so much smaller!

Motivation

Some Mondays it is hard to get out of bed. Particularly today when I'm still getting over a cold, I couldn't sleep from 3AM to 4AM, and the cat threw up loudly in my room 30 minutes before my alarm was suppose to go off.

I wish I was still sleeping.

So, I am going to post a little reminder of why I go to work every day. There are children. Precious children who have been put in my life so that I can teach them something. For some of them, I'm suppose to teach them English. Things like, "Ms. Sarah, I please can...one more paper?" and, "This is a monkey." (If you haven't heard the monkey story, ask me about it. It's my favorite. El Maestro has heard it 71.2 times.) Other kids just need to learn how a healthy adult reacts to a frustrating situation. "Excuse me, Sam. Why did you just hit Sally? What is the consequence for hitting?" No yelling involved.

And some kids just need to know that I love them. I think they know it. That's probably why I'm mobbed every time I walk into the kindergarten classroom...