Days 571 & 572 and this crisis

It's interesting that I'm facing a crisis so soon after writing about having joy in the face of one a couple of weeks ago. Here's what I was thinking about today. Last fall when I lost two kids because their mom lost her job and her DHS assistance, I could look back later and realize it was a good thing. I ended up taking two science classes that were VERY hard for me in the fall and it was easier to get through those classes without a heavy load of kids. Then just as Tom's job dropped down to 32 hours a week in January, I filled those spots. So now, maybe Tom's job will go back to full-time or I will pick up some new kids. The thing is that I am sure it will all work out. I won't say I haven't worried, because I am human and I have. But not like I normally would. I am sure that is due to prayers being sent up. Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!

Days 568, 569, & 570 and very discouraged

Hey guys, sorry for no postings the last couple of days. Tuesday night I had a meeting that lasted longer than I thought and by the time I got home, I was exhausted and went to bed. Then yesterday was a very rough day and it has left me feeling very discouraged. I lost two kids yesterday. I won't go into details here, but I would like to request some prayers, both for the openings that I now have and just my state of mind.

Days 564, 565, 566, and 567 & school is sneaking up on me!

Dangit! Where has this summer gone? School is sneaking up on me, big time! I'm ready for the kids to start, NOT ready for myself to start. I've not got my proposal ready for my Study in Depth class that I have to submit before classes start on the 24th. I never intended to let that go all summer long without getting done. Then all my clubs and groups will resume meetings soon too. So time to pull myself out of relaxation mode and get busy! Wish me luck!

I had a nice trip to Tahlequah. I got to see my friend for supper on Friday night (and a little bit on Saturday). The child care conference was nice, I learned a lot and I got inspiration for getting my proposal started, so that was great.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Day 563 and going out of town

I'm going out of town tomorrow with a friend to attend a child care conference on Saturday. I will try to post before I leave tomorrow, but if not it will probably be Sunday before I get a chance. I'm excited about this conference and getting away with a friend. I hope it rejuvenates and revives me. Summers in child care are HARD!

Day 562 and some prayer requests

I just want to ask for continued prayers for Tom's job situation. They are still on 32 hours a week and according to their last newsletter, it will be that way for a while longer. We are grateful for the job and the benefits and hopeful that things will get back to normal soon.

Also, it is time for me to start trying to fill some spots for the school year, so I'd like prayers for good, reliable clients.

Day 561 and Roses & Thorns

I have had this little piece of paper hanging by my computer for months. The talk about joy in the face of crisis had me paying attention to it again. It's from a sermon that our preacher did a few months ago. It's very thought provoking:

My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. Show me that, through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more brilliant.

Praise him for your roses; thank him for your thorns.

Day 560 and joy in the face of crisis

Last Sunday night in discipleship training, our focus was on verses from the first chapter of James. Here are some of the excerpts from James 1. The entire lesson focused on verses 2-18, but these are the ones that really struck me:

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

and:

12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

My first thought was that often it's easy to look back AFTER a trial and see how it all worked out for the good. That can make it easier to look at a trial as a blessing. But that's not what this says. It says to consider it joy to face trials. Joy to face trials... That is a hard one to wrap my mind around. How do you go about doing that? I know it is not a natural reaction, at least not for me. Then I think of my friend who has faced cancer (more than once), fell off of her roof and broke both ankles, is going through a divorce, and multiple other crisis and she has joy and unending faith. And I find myself wondering: How can I get that? There are no answers today, only thoughts and wonderings. If you have any to add, please comment and share them.

Have a good week everyone!