Sweet words

When school is in session, I tend to neglect the most important role that I should be nurturing the most. Stress and hopelessness and feeling like nothing I do matters should challenge me to pursue Christ harder, to figure out the 'why' behind my life, yet I usually allow my mind to be swallowed up in self-pity and the monotony of life. 

And then summer arrives. 

There's something so sweet about starting my days off quietly journaling and contemplating life, so to speak. I'm able to take a step back and catch a mere glimpse of how God sees me, whole and complete and so worthy to live out this life that He's blessed me with. My devo this morning (PS-- it's "Jesus Calling." I have NEVER found a devotional that I've actually liked, but this one is phenomenal. I think it was written for me...) began and ended with:

I am creating something new in you: a bubbling spring of Joy that spills over into others' lives... Enjoy my Presence, which permeates you with Love, Joy and Peace. 

I was so moved by these words! I've always made it a goal to find joy in the little things and to let negativity roll off, but this year I lost that. I allowed myself to become judgmental, prideful, angry... but I'm already finding myself being healed from the hurt of last year and able to look forward to next year. That last day of school-I was done. Ready for a new school, career, whatever to get me out of the place I was in. But, I'm already feeling hope for this new year, that what I do at that school DOES matter, that God has given me a unique calling to bring his Joy to middle schoolers. As soon as it got rough, I was ready to bail... but what if this next year is different? What if I spend this summer with God, building up strength and endurance and delve myself whole heartedly into this next year with His purpose in mind? I believe this next year could be the best yet. 

I'll leave you with scripture the scripture that prompted this post:

Galatians 5:22-26 (The Message)

What happens when we live God's way?

     He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard- things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

     Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good- crucified.

     Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in or hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. 

     Diego and his BFF Bandit playing at the beach. D's still knocked-out exhausted.