My Sabbatical Begins Today

Ok....just gonna pour out some feelings......I've worn the face, but the heart is so amazingly sad. I tear up just reading that i wrote that. 

Last week, school was constantly on my mind. Last night, I couldn't get to sleep....and it wasn't because i had the anxious feeling as I normally do the night before school, it's the reality, I'm not starting school tomorrow. YES....it's sinking in, but this morning, why aren't I celebrating that I"M NOT ONE OF THOSE WHO ARE STARTING SCHOOL TODAY? You would certainly think that I would be. 

Having all this on mind has definitely taken a toll on me. HEAR ME NOW SATAN....I am not letting you in! I am not going to worry about this.....YOU ARE NOTHING TO ME. Ok, that's said and done.

I've prayed over and over again and God has reassured me in Jeremiah 29:11, that He has planned my future and for me to believe in Him and have hope. I DO I DO I DO, I know that his plan was for me to share my love for children in the classroom. I have fulfilled that and am ready to begin a new season, a new chapter, a NEXT....whatever it will be, it will be to glorify Him, I am honored.

I also learned from a children's novel,  Tuck Everlasting, that life is like a ride on a ferris wheel....the wheel is in constant movement, unless one decides to get off, or another gets on....and then it begins its constant spinning. I don't want to spin forever. Getting off the wheel of life symbolizes my retiring after 28 years of teaching and allowing my friend, Tori, to get up on that wheel and ride it for 27 more years. You can't stay on that wheel forever—-so I listened to God and followed His plan and knew that my teaching career is over. My retirement starts another wheel. I wonder how many stops it will make? Excited to find out.

So to put the worry and stress aside, I will start my Sabbatical today. I am going to work on ME!!!  I am going to follow God’s Word and let it just happen. I’m going to make every day count and have no regrets. 

Bring it on. I’m ready! ~~~~ READY, SET, GO

So to my teacher friends…..love every day, make it special for the children, find patience within by PRAYER. God hears everything… your thoughts, your confusion, your heart beat. Give compliments, smiles, and hugz. Love your colleagues and listen to them….even when you’re in a hurry. What might sound minute to you, it’s huge to them….after all, that’s why they’re telling you that. Glorify him, my friends.

"Spread love wherever you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." ~~Mother Teresa

What are Your God given talents?

   That's a good question, and I might have an answer for it. When God made me, He made me unique from others. He gave me a gift, a heart that wants to serve others in the community or through missions. He taught me that when serving others, I'm doing it for His glory. I'm using my God given talents to glorify him. 1Corinthians 10:31 says, "And whatever you do, do it all in the name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."  

   Me? Talents? I have a few, I like to smile,  and it's contagious. A smile portrays happiness and shows confidence. People can sense that from my smile. People see me smiling and they smile back....sometimes even followed by a giggle. Plus, it gives me a much better appearance than the alternative. So, share a smile each day, it might be the only one they see the entire day. 

   I am also a touchy feely kind of person...I like to hug, I pat on the back, or I might tap your arm when talking to you. Maybe it's my southern upbringing? Here's an example, I usher at church...when I get them to their seat, I might tap them on their back and tell each one, 'I'm glad you're here.' They may hear me, they might not, but God knows, it could be just what they needed that morning.  

   Amazingly, I find it easy to engage in conversation with a complete stranger. This is so unlike me in the years past. I'd prefer to slide in, slide out and avoid eye contact in fear of having to strike up a conversation. I believe it was in God's plan for me to experience both sides of conversation so I can grow from it. He wants me to reach out to those in need of conversation, a smile, or maybe a good ole high five. He has plans for me. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

   These talents are free and I didn't t have to go to school to learn them. How cool is it to know that my contagious smile and touchy feely southern self is making God so happy..... He's the one who's really smiling.. 

P.S.....   Artsy, musical, and fashion talents......un-unh. I wasn't in line when these talents were passed out. I've made an attempt, but for the life of me, I truly struggle. Help me sing.......

Diana Ross's song, "Reach out and touch."

Take a little time out of your busy day

To give encouragement

To someone who's lost the way

(Just try)

Or would I be talking to a stone

If I asked you

To share a problem that's not your own

We can change things if we start giving

Why don't you

Reach out and touch

Somebody's hand

Make this world a better place

If you can

It's something that comes very naturally

We can change things if we start giving

(Just try)

If you see an old friend on the street

And he's down

Remember his shoes could fit your feet

(Just try)

Try a little kindness you'll see

It's something that comes very naturally

We can change things if we start giving