STAND STILL...
"You can't be anxious and worship at the same time."

"Worship is having God as the core of our life. True worship entails all parts of our life."

My vision got sharpened today.  I don't know when I've heard a message devoted totally to the topic of Patience, especially when tied so closely in with our worship of God.  By the way, patience is a part of the Spirit fruit every Christian should produce. Tom Todd took it apart for us and knocked it off its pedestal of "that's great , but I just can't do it" and put it into mandatory terms-- stiff shoe leather to be walked in and broken out in the variables of daily life.

"Our culture sees impatience as a virtue." Hmm... yeah, maybe so. Speed is everything. I just purchased several books online that I hope to have arrive ASAP. Productivity and value are close friends in our North American culture. When is the last time I reveled in waiting? That the ticking clock didn't govern my actions like an army sentinel?

Being laid back to a fault is often viewed as a weakness, a defect. But who else identifies with the difficulty of being in possession of flawless patience? Isn't that the character quality that marks a seasoned champion? Our friends of Latin American countries may have a number up on us in this area. Well, maybe we shouldn't take siestas while the sun shines, but then again, maybe we should.

I like to think of myself as a patient person. I don't panic at every sudden malady, throw tantrums, or plan out my agenda two years in advance. But God revealed to me this morning how much I need to grow in this area.

Tom challenged us with the verse from Jeremiah. "STAND STILL....and see the salvation of the Lord."
But we want to have our finger in it too, so often. If we stand still, we can't get any of the credit. And we love to spout cliches about God only being able help those who help themselves, and He can't steer a parked car, etc. Well, maybe there is some merit to those ideas, but if patience was as deep seated in our lives as the lack thereof is at times, I wonder how we might be changed.

I wonder, if God's peace in our life metamorphosed into practical patience, would we be more pliable, easier to use, surrendered tools for whatever purpose He might have planned us for?

You've blessed me...

How many people, really, have impacted, influenced, directed or guided my life in some form or another?

I can think of many--

...the cousin who taught me how to respond calmly to a situation that seemed completely chaotic and out of control. I learned to value those things that were most important, such as the hearts of her little children that were stumbling around her feet and hindering her progress in a project that needed to be completed.

...the student who responds to any difficult situation with an initial furrowed brow, but then splits into this big ear to ear grin at the fact that the problem is just beyond him. I learned that the trial of the moment is trivial compared to the joy we can have knowing all of life is governed by a great God who understands our frustrations.

...the friend I watched struggle through hard times but transform into a lovely jewel through it all. I learned to give my trials to God and let Him use them for his glory.

...the brief conversation I had with a fellow FB student, where he resolutely extinguished a griping conversation about the difficulties of ministry by asking what we are doing about it. It was one of those things that stopped me in my self-righteous tracks and sent my mind reeling... I learned that no one person has the corner on anything. We all need each other and need to learn from each other.

...the co-teacher who willingly took precious moments out of his busy schedule to un-jam the laminator, arrange a special order to suit a learning need in my classroom, hang a paper towel dispenser etc. etc. I was reminded to be gracious with my moments and seek to use each to be a blessing to others.

...the school mom that treated the teachers with cookies at the end of a hectic week in which she attended her dear grandma's funeral. I was touched when I saw someone who deserved to be receiving cookies thinking of others and giving them instead.

...and if you're reading this right now, there is a good chance that you have left an indelible impression upon my life, a mark that time will not erase.

I've been blessed. All I can say in return is a humble "THANK-YOU". Never underestimate the influence and impact you have on the lives of others.

Little things...

        the two pieces of pink fabric meticulously stitched together to make a pocket "for my keys"

        the pretty red leaf

        the sparkly stone, and another, and another

        the shiny red apple, that is "really sour, but I like them that way" handed over by the tousled blonde one

        the note that appeared in my lunch bag when I was out of the classroom, to brighten my day

        the package of mini chocolate chip cookies that appeared on my desk, packed extra just for me

        the red silk rose hidden behind my laptop with the little girl stealing furtive glances my way to see when             I would first notice it.

        the handmade card from the young lady who left my classroom for the senior room this year

        and on and on and on...


Little things, big expressions.

God knows,
        how it's the small things from a child's heart that leave big messages.

Can I have that same extravagance of heart with the simple things of life? More lessons learned from my young teachers...