What a month.
God is always faithful, even if I am usually impatient. This month has been no different. The month began with best friend moving and boyfriend leaving to California. Then, the month transitioned into medical side-effect crazy. The school year began, but I don't have a contract this year, so I don't have a classroom or students. I still don't have an address (except for using my parents' as a permanent address) and my personal "belongings" are spread out amongst four houses in Kitsap county and one house in West Africa. I'm not in Burkina Faso. It seems everyone I know is in some semblance of transition. Finally, the last week of the month I took a vacation with dear friend Kristen, to celebrate the fact that I can substitute teach in my own district.
What could possibly stay the same?
Jesus Christ.
In this season of ridiculous transition, my hope is Jesus Christ. The same. Today, yesterday, forever.
In this crazy month, my comfort comes from God's word and from God's people. I continue learning more about the rich traditions of the Church. I continue being challenged by mission-minded friends who see how the Gospel is living and active, responsive to every moment of society. I find strength in the wholeness of the Church-- not just a particular fellowship, but as the very Bride of the Savior.
In college, I listened to the band Green Day a lot. (In particular the two songs where they didn't cuss all the time.) The song "Wake Me Up When September Ends" is woven into other seasons of life, too.
Sophomore year, September had a lot of stress related to finding my fit in college ministry. Grad school year, my fiance and I chose this song as "our song"--which is kind of terrible if you think about it, since it's a really depressing song that didn't have too much to do with the circumstances of our relationship. Then, my first year of teaching, I held onto an unhealthy prediction that my ex-fiance and I would get back together in October.
I don't think I've listened to or thought of the song since.
But today, on September 30, 2012, I have a lot of hope.
September is over.
God has been faithful, just like He always is.
Stanley arrived safely home last night, after a 19 hour motorcycle trip from his training in LA. Amanda is settling in to her new job and new town. Kristen's husband is back from his sailing adventure, so they are returning to Montana. I have a roof over my head and a warm bed to sleep in each night, by the gracious hospitality of my parents. School in Riahlo will start tomorrow morning, even if I am not there. I have a packet of paperwork to mail off tomorrow, so my entire ticket price can be refunded. And, God has blessed me with an interim job as a substitute teacher.
It's fitting that today is Sabbath. God tried to convince me to rest all month long. Only now can I finally rest in Him.
Please pray for friends and family in similar transition. Especially, pray for my cousin Jenny and her newborn daughter needing healing. The good news is, we are loved by an incredibly faithful God.
And now, September is over.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Thank you for your prayers! Lizzy is healing and doing well! Jenny is tired and extremely GRATEFUL.
ReplyDeleteYou are gong to have a great school year, substituting and learning. I think teachers are the best learners.
God be with you, my sweet niece.