"There is hope for me yet
because God won't forget
all the plans He's made for me
I have to wait and see;
He's not finished with me yet".
Brandon Heath, Wait and See
The school year is now complete, and I am met with another beginning and end.
I had a challenging and growing first year as a substitute. I really enjoyed forming relationships with kids, getting to know the community, and discovering more of what I want to do in the future. There is a possibility of a new position, but also a strong possibility I will continue subbing.
I have a tough time with transitions. I can be anxious and restless and downright ornery when schedules change. Sometimes in the stillness and relaxation of the summer, I have a hard time feeling a purpose. Sometimes when I think about my occupation as a substitute teacher, I have a hard time believing I am making an impact. Sometimes when there isn't much structure, I struggle with feeling lonely, like the walls are closing in.
However, in the midst of this transition, I feel a little more at peace.
I had a spirit-given realization as I was getting ready on the last day of school: We can always hope in the fact that God is up to something good. And this isn't a hope like you hope your number might get drawn in the lottery- this is a hope that we can count on. This is an expectation. God is up to something good in our lives. He promises me that, and He promises you that. Whether our work feels meaningless somedays, or we don't know what's next, or we don't know how to rest, we can know that the Lord has purpose in our every moment- and his purposes are good.
For this to make sense, we need to understand that God's definition of good is not the same as ours.
Our world understands good to mean comfortable, happy, and positive, and is often based on present circumstances. While God is not against these things, he means something else when he says good. What He sees as good:
Our world understands good to mean comfortable, happy, and positive, and is often based on present circumstances. While God is not against these things, he means something else when he says good. What He sees as good:
- Demonstrates His love for us: Just like a parent sometimes God shows his love in warm and fuzzy ways, but sometimes he gives tough love. He is making His love apparent in our day to day lives.
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love, he will exult over you with loud singing. -Zephaniah 3:17 - Makes us more holy: It is good when we grow and become more like Christ. It is not usually comfortable and not always happy. But this is the perfecting and the stretching that lead us to become what he has created us to be.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. -James 1:2-4 - Brings glory to Him: It is good when our circumstances lead us to worship and adore Him. It is good when our lives cause ourselves and others to see Him, be in awe of Him and know His character more.
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. -Colossians 1:27
When I know that God is up to something good, I can be patient. I can better handle waiting times. I can trust. I can persevere, knowing that there is a purpose.
In this season of transition I am drawing close to Him, grasping His hand, and trusting that He is up to something good in my life.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purposes. -Romans 8:28
In this season of transition I am drawing close to Him, grasping His hand, and trusting that He is up to something good in my life.
"I won't fear my story's end, cause the author is my friend
whatever comes tomorrow, beauty or sorrow,
I know when I look back I'll see
that the good times and the hard times were the best times I ever had
Cause you were beside me, above and behind me
lovingly leading me home."
-Jason Gray, Best Days of my Life
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purposes. -Romans 8:28
Linking up with:
"When I know that God is up to something good, I can be patient. I can better handle waiting times. I can trust. I can persevere, knowing that there is a purpose."
ReplyDeleteThis just hits me right where I live. I want to stand in His Presence and know that He is God and that He is truly all about doing the things that are best for me. I want to wait upon the Lord.
I am a retired primary-grade teacher and subbed my first year-plus before taking a full-time teaching job. I moved a few times and taught in various situations and with different ages: first was my favorite, but had K-3 and combinations. I taught in CA and Washington, DC...K/1 and that was the most rewarding teaching job I ever had and the hardest. I believe the children in the inner city taught me more than I taught them. I moved to TX where I became a health educator for preschool age through senior citizens about all different health issues through the public health dept. Then I became a children's librarian with a public library and loved that job so dearly, making impacts on children and their families as well as the community. Be open and trust, sweet girl. I never could have imagined all that God had in store for me. Yes, my life was filled with changes and they were usually tough and I felt like a vagabond as many of my moves were without knowing just where I was headed! I now am a private tutor for the primary-aged child who struggles in school with the test system or just learning in general.
May God guide your very steps as you seek to follow Him.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
(visiting from Spiritual Sundays)