Why?

I have been tempted to rename this blog, "The Sunday Blogger" because it seems that it is the only day of the week I slow down enough to breath and think and to just be.  The past few weeks have been a flurry of activity in my life.  Getting ready for the start of a new school year is always a frantic time filled with running errands, running copies, running here and there and everywhere trying to help others to get ready also.  This year has been especially busy because a new class was added to the pre-kindergarten department at the school, which meant 2 new teachers to train and assist in addition to getting my own classroom set up and ready to receive new students.  And over the past few weeks the question "Why?" kept popping into my head.  "Why are you at Wal Mart or Target buying school supplies?" (especially when I really don't like shopping, especially in the most crowded area of the store at this time of year)  Why am I at the church building on Saturday?" "Why am I up at the crack of dawn and at the church building before everyone else?"  "Why, Why, Why?"  Today the answer came to me as I was lying quietly, resting after a busy day and a busy week.  Probably the only time all week I've had time to lay quietly that I wasn't just bone tired.  The reason why I do all this stuff is because God has given me the resources to purchase those school supplies for children who need them.  Because God has given me a body able to clean the church building.  And because God has given me the talents to help out on Sunday mornings.  I am called, we all are called to use the talents/blessings we have been given to help others.  Last week I quoted Romans 12:7, a small portion of the chapter where Jesus calls us to use the talents we are given for the betterment of the family.  So I give to those less fortunate, I sacrifice my Saturdays once a quarter to help clean the building, I get up early on Sunday mornings to help out in the technology booth because that is what I am called to do.  I do all this because Christ loves me and gave His life for me.  I purchase school supplies, shoes, coats, etc because Jesus Christ purchased me with His blood on that cross so many years ago.

A New School Year

Another school year is upon us, in another week or so teachers will be opening their doors to a brand new class of students.  This time of year fills many of us with conflicting emotions, mostly we are excited about getting a new class of students, excited to teach them new things, excited to work with them to grow emotionally, socially and academically.  But along with this excitement comes worry, a distinct nervousness about whether or not we'll be good enough, will we be able to teach these young people, will we be able to communicate our thoughts in such a way that they will understand and learn what we are trying to teach them, will they even listen to us!  Yes, the job of a teacher is a challenging one, one that is often not appreciated, some students just don't want to learn and some parents don't want to here that their little Johnny or Suzie might require additional assistance or that Tommy or Katie are having difficulties adjusting socially.  And on top of all these concerns comes the realization that with the current economy and most school districts facing budget cuts that our class sizes are certain to increase.  I teach in a private school so I don't really have to worry much about class size or whether I will have enough supplies for all of the students in my class.  My two best friends however teach in public schools, one teaches fourth grade and the other high school math.  They are both facing larger class sizes and the challenge of reaching each child in their care.
Isn't it interesting that Romans 12:7 says "If your gift is serving others, serve them well.  If you are a teacher, teach well." that serving and teaching are mentioned in the same verse.  The two go hand in hand I have never seen a teacher that isn't also a person who serves others.  Daily we are called to serve, daily we are called to teach even on those days when we don't particularly feel like it.  It's our duty and our calling!  We are called to teach responsibly and with integrity.  Two subjects which have been the topic for recent sermons at church.  It's amazing how much what we are called to do as teachers ties in with what we are called to be as Christians.  Serve, teach, be responsible, be people of integrity, be light to those around us, to lead others to Christ, to love others, to help those in need.  What an awesome responsibility! What a wonderful way to serve God by using the talents He has given us.

A Wake up Call

Isaiah 55:8-9 says "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD.  "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts."

This verse or some form of it has shown up several times over the course of the day.  When this usually happens I tend to take notice.  Sometimes I don't realize until much later how often a certain verse or thought planted itself in front of me over and over during the course of the day or week.  But for some reason I was paying attention today, so the recurring theme for today was Isaiah 55:8-9. 
The day began with spotting a video on Facebook that caught my eye, now normally I don't click on those videos unless it's something like my cute "niece" Hannah walking for the first time, or some other video by a close friend or family member, but something about this one just said "click me".  It was a video that talked about how the world views success verses how the LORD views success.  Ok so I got that message it's one I've heard over and over in the course of my life, so then I walk into Bible class this morning and the teacher begins talking about "a God first perspective".  The teacher asked us if we had "a God first perspective on life" and my first thought was of course I do...then I began to reflect on the previous day, this past week and in fact what went on the night before.  At first this may not sound like it relates to the world verses God views of success, but when I began to think about it, it all has to do with how I view my responsibilities in life, what are the things that matter to me, what do I spend the majority of my day doing?  Am I putting God first? 
Am I putting my responsibilities to God, my family, my husband, my church, my friends, my job above my personal wants and desires?  And the honest answer is no.  Our awesome preacher this morning was speaking to me...It's like he knew I needed this wake up call! "Responsibility is not only what you do, but it's how you feel and how you think."Was it responsible of me to stay up until 2:00 a.m. last night when I knew I had to be at the church at 7:45 and that I had to get up early enough to take the dog out?  Was I being responsible in preparing my mind and heart for service and worship of my Lord?  No.  Am I being responsible with my time when I spend hours on Facebook rather than reading my Bible, praying, helping someone in need or even just getting up to get some exercise?  Am I being responsible in taking care of myself when I order those french fries with ranch dressing instead of a healthy serving of vegetables?  Am I being responsible with my time, my money, the talents God has given me or any of the other blessings He has given me?  The honest answer is some days are better than others.  Most days I am pretty irresponsible I'd rather sit in the air conditioning playing games on Facebook or on my iPhone than go out and walk in the 100+ heat or even on the treadmill taking up space in the living room.  I'd rather read some fictional nonsense than spend time studying my Bible.  Does this make me a bad Christian I don't think so, just an irresponsible one.  Responsibility means many different things to different people as our preacher pointed out today.  So what can I do to be more responsible and to be a better steward of all that God has given me. 
I can be more responsible by:
1. Taking care of my body - by being responsible in my food choices, by going to bed and getting enough rest and by getting off the couch and exercising not only will I be healthier I will be better able to help those that God places in my path because I won't be so tired and run down and I'll probably notice more people that need help because I might actually be awake and paying attention than thinking about how tired I am.
2. Being a better manager of my time - do I really need to spend 2 hours or more a night playing on the computer?  What might I get accomplished if I used that 2 hours for something else?
3. Being a better steward of the money God has placed in my care - do I really need that cute new top or that pretty skirt...I wonder what I could do with the money I'd save there?
4. Being more responsible in keeping in touch with my family and friends - what important things are happening in their lives and how can I help

I am sure there are many other things I can do to be more responsible, but I also I have to feel more responsible and think in a more responsible way.  It's a lot easier to change the things I do than to change my mindset.  It's an on going process and a journey I know I will be on for many years to come.  One day at a time, one moment at a time, one decision at a time is what it will take.