I love graduation. Every year it makes me cry as I look at the kids I've nurtured and watched mature over the few years that I've known them achieve a milestone in their lives, a night they will never forget. I also become very pensive, in a good way, as I take stock over the past school year and all of the changes that have happened since August, only a few short months ago.
Every year, I see maturity in new ways as I, myself, become more mature. I see more, now, of what the kids will need to know and the tools and resources they'll need to have as the move on into a world that is at once both terrible and wonderful. They have so much and so little. Some of them have overcome great obstacles to be able to graduate, while others seemed to soar through this part of their lifelong education. Still, even those who achieved all the scholarships and awards had things to overcome that made their rewards all the sweeter.
Yet, whether they grew up with all they needed to flourish or not, they arrived at this point, graduation day, together. And now they have the chance to move into a future and make of it what they will. It is up to them to decide how they will use the resources that are in their proverbial toolbox. While some may think it is unfair that some kids have more tools than others, I know that it is the pleasure of Yahweh my Father to give them all things, and while they may not have what everyone thinks they need, Yahweh doesn't have to give everyone the same thing to give everyone the best thing. Each child, in Yahweh's hand, has been given their best chance to reach Him. And I know He is with them wherever they go.
I like to look back at my own growth and development over this school year as well. I am never the same person in May as I was in August. I'm a little older, a little wiser, and so in some ways I feel like I graduate all over again each May as I see what Yahweh has done through me this year. There are the victories I see in my students: maturity, enhanced writing ability, the potential to continue prospering next year. There are the victories in my personal life: moving into a house, buying a new car. Then, there are the most important things, the victories I've reached with Yahweh. Things that have been established in me by Him, never to be torn asunder.
Growing is hard, sometimes, like when you work out a muscle so that it is stronger than it was when you started. It aches and burns as you stretch it out, but one day, that move you've been doing for weeks, months, or even years that used to make you cringe and ache with pain is easy. And then it's time to try a new move, grow a little more. We have infinity, after all, to reach.
This year I've learned a lot with Yahweh. I've increased in so many ways. And I'm grateful. Nights like tonight make me stand back in awe of the entire spectrum of human experience. I watched children graduate whose mothers died two years ago, others who clawed their way out of poverty to achieve top rankings and high scholarships. I saw children who excelled in public speaking, those who went to state tournaments in sports, and those who can play any musical instrument like a virtuoso. I saw those who barely scraped a passing grade and those who just kept their heads down and tried to get through it, ranking somewhere in the middle of the class. I saw an ending and a new beginning. And all of it was beautiful.
All of it is beautiful. In these moments, I can almost understand a small part of the beauty of Yahweh's plan of redemption. That each of us, no matter how we start or where we end up, have been given our best chance to get back to Him. That we all must go through trials, but we all have joyful triumphs. The whole wide spectrum of the Human Experience makes me dizzy with awe and wonder.
And My Father created all of this! Oh the joy set before Him that He shares so generously with me. HalleluYah!
Friday, May 15, 2015
Friday, May 8, 2015
Learning to Prosper
I have some huge testimonies coming. Actually, I have some huge testimonies. It's been a banner month, and it's only been 8 days! I am increasing in so many ways, and it all seems to be happening so fast. I don't think, though, that it really is. We've spent months preparing for this, Yahweh and I, and we're ready. When His Harvest suddenly appears, we have to be ready. But He knows the timing and He will prepare us for the Harvest when the Harvest needs us.
I'm learning a lot through this prosperity. I haven't really had situations like this before. I mean, I've increased, but it's usually been by being delivered of something. While I was recently delivered of some fears I've had since childhood, that was only the first of the many blessings Yahweh has given me in the past week.
It's different, though, prospering this way. When you increase in blessing, you also increase in responsibility. We are faithful stewards over the things that Yahweh entrusts to us, and when He entrusts more to us, there is more over which to steward. It is easy to get caught up in worrying and striving to manage the new, bigger metron that Yahweh has given us. What I need to remember is simple. Don't do that. These blessings came to me when I most wanted them, but not because I went off searching and striving for them. Yahweh brought them to me almost without my asking. Though my heart yearned for these things, I never really sat down and asked Yahweh for them, probably because I didn't think He would think I needed them right now. What's most amazing is that when Yahweh places a desire in your heart, it's likely because he's already fulfilled it and you just don't know it yet. Therefore, why worry? What is there to strive for when we know it's already done and the blessings are already ours? Now all I need to do is be faithful and obedient over the steps necessary to complete the process, walking in His strength and grace to receive what He has had for me all along.
I suppose maybe that's not so different after all, having prosperity added to you and having a deliverance experience. Either way, it takes faith. Often, it takes patience. What's most important to remember is that Yahshua finished it all, Yahweh perfected what He authored before He even began it. All I have to do is receive it.
I'm looking forward to walking this process out with Yahweh. I'm hoping that this will be a main difference between what I'm experiencing now and what I've experienced in the past. In the past, because of the things that I was carrying and hadn't been delivered of, I was unable to really see or feel Yahweh walking with me, though He was certainly there. Now, I want to share this joy with Him. After all, not only is He the author of my prosperity, but He is also better than even that. Whatever He brings me, whatever He gives me, it will not distract me from Him and His greatness. And that's the second thing I've learned in prospering. Don't forget Yahweh. I don't ever want anything that will take me away from Him because He is my heart's greatest desire.
Remember, if He placed a desire in my heart, it's because He already fulfilled it. Oh the joy of Yahweh and His prosperity. Seek first the Kingdom... really, seek first the King... and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. HalleluYah!
I'm learning a lot through this prosperity. I haven't really had situations like this before. I mean, I've increased, but it's usually been by being delivered of something. While I was recently delivered of some fears I've had since childhood, that was only the first of the many blessings Yahweh has given me in the past week.
It's different, though, prospering this way. When you increase in blessing, you also increase in responsibility. We are faithful stewards over the things that Yahweh entrusts to us, and when He entrusts more to us, there is more over which to steward. It is easy to get caught up in worrying and striving to manage the new, bigger metron that Yahweh has given us. What I need to remember is simple. Don't do that. These blessings came to me when I most wanted them, but not because I went off searching and striving for them. Yahweh brought them to me almost without my asking. Though my heart yearned for these things, I never really sat down and asked Yahweh for them, probably because I didn't think He would think I needed them right now. What's most amazing is that when Yahweh places a desire in your heart, it's likely because he's already fulfilled it and you just don't know it yet. Therefore, why worry? What is there to strive for when we know it's already done and the blessings are already ours? Now all I need to do is be faithful and obedient over the steps necessary to complete the process, walking in His strength and grace to receive what He has had for me all along.
I suppose maybe that's not so different after all, having prosperity added to you and having a deliverance experience. Either way, it takes faith. Often, it takes patience. What's most important to remember is that Yahshua finished it all, Yahweh perfected what He authored before He even began it. All I have to do is receive it.
I'm looking forward to walking this process out with Yahweh. I'm hoping that this will be a main difference between what I'm experiencing now and what I've experienced in the past. In the past, because of the things that I was carrying and hadn't been delivered of, I was unable to really see or feel Yahweh walking with me, though He was certainly there. Now, I want to share this joy with Him. After all, not only is He the author of my prosperity, but He is also better than even that. Whatever He brings me, whatever He gives me, it will not distract me from Him and His greatness. And that's the second thing I've learned in prospering. Don't forget Yahweh. I don't ever want anything that will take me away from Him because He is my heart's greatest desire.
Remember, if He placed a desire in my heart, it's because He already fulfilled it. Oh the joy of Yahweh and His prosperity. Seek first the Kingdom... really, seek first the King... and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. HalleluYah!
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Faith is the Most Important Thing Ever
I love writing. It is the way I create, using the creative ability that Yahweh placed within me for His glory. It is also the way I process things. I may have the urge to write without even knowing what I'm writing about yet, but by the end of a page, I have figured out something about my life or about what I'm walking through right now that I didn't know I would discover when I began writing. Incidentally, this is how I managed to pass many a college exam.
Today, I feel like writing, and I feel a bit pensive. There are so many things to think and worry about for a teacher this time of the year. Add to all of that the normal things that everyone goes through in their personal lives and I have been known to be exhausted this time of year.
Today, this weekend, I have no obligations. I haven't had that in a long time. I'm excited to spend the day relaxing and recovering from a very long month and preparing for what promises (in true end-of-year fashion) to be a long month ahead. I know I can only do all of this in Yahweh's strength, but that doesn't mean I don't need to just have a little "me-time." I am learning that it is important to take care of myself, to say "no" when people make requests of me. It does not mean I am selfish or inconsiderate. It just means I am prioritizing what Yahweh says is important and saving the energy that I have to spend on those things, those purposes that Yahweh established for such a time as this.
One thing that never deserves time is worrying. Worrying is probably the biggest energy-sucker and distraction I deal with. I worry about disappointing Yahweh, about not being enough. I worry about if I am going to remember all the things I have to do or if I will be able to deal with the life changes that I sense are coming. It's exhausting, worrying. It's also pointless. I know we've all heard those sayings, quotes, and even Bible verses about how silly worry is and how much of a waste of time it is. After all, if the God of the entire universe is on your side and has already fought the battle for you to win, what is there possibly to worry about? But see, worry makes no sense. Fear makes no sense. It has no reason for actually being.
Perhaps it is for this reason that I cannot argue worry away. I can't rationalize why I don't need to worry. I already know that I don't need to worry. I already know all the reasons that worry is pointless and distracting. So I can't present a new argument to my brain that will make me go, "Oh, yeah! Silly me. I won't worry anymore now!"
So how can I stop worrying about things that will probably never happen, or things that may happen, but won't change who Yahweh is? Like everything else, it comes by faith.
Sometimes, it is that daily affirmation that Yes, I believe You, Yahweh! Even though my emotions tell me I'm dying or that the very thing I most desperately want can never come to be. But I believe! I trust! I know! And if I still worry for a time, it doesn't make me any less faithful or any less full of faith. And one day, when my faith has grown stronger and is strong enough to bring Yahweh's Word from Heaven to Earth, I will no longer worry or fear. There won't be room for worry or fear because the place that they once occupied is now taken by Yahweh's Word.
And this is how the war is won. One decision of faith at a time. Not to combat or fight worry or fear by reason or even by directly addressing them, but simply to choose to believe Yahweh. Believe His Word. And believe that I will see His Word manifest in my life, in the here and now. Because fear and Yahweh's Word cannot coexist. And His Word is evident, is substantial, only by faith.
See, I love writing. Sometimes it can even build up that Most Holy Faith that is the only thing that can bring Heaven and Earth together as one.
Today, I feel like writing, and I feel a bit pensive. There are so many things to think and worry about for a teacher this time of the year. Add to all of that the normal things that everyone goes through in their personal lives and I have been known to be exhausted this time of year.
Today, this weekend, I have no obligations. I haven't had that in a long time. I'm excited to spend the day relaxing and recovering from a very long month and preparing for what promises (in true end-of-year fashion) to be a long month ahead. I know I can only do all of this in Yahweh's strength, but that doesn't mean I don't need to just have a little "me-time." I am learning that it is important to take care of myself, to say "no" when people make requests of me. It does not mean I am selfish or inconsiderate. It just means I am prioritizing what Yahweh says is important and saving the energy that I have to spend on those things, those purposes that Yahweh established for such a time as this.
One thing that never deserves time is worrying. Worrying is probably the biggest energy-sucker and distraction I deal with. I worry about disappointing Yahweh, about not being enough. I worry about if I am going to remember all the things I have to do or if I will be able to deal with the life changes that I sense are coming. It's exhausting, worrying. It's also pointless. I know we've all heard those sayings, quotes, and even Bible verses about how silly worry is and how much of a waste of time it is. After all, if the God of the entire universe is on your side and has already fought the battle for you to win, what is there possibly to worry about? But see, worry makes no sense. Fear makes no sense. It has no reason for actually being.
Perhaps it is for this reason that I cannot argue worry away. I can't rationalize why I don't need to worry. I already know that I don't need to worry. I already know all the reasons that worry is pointless and distracting. So I can't present a new argument to my brain that will make me go, "Oh, yeah! Silly me. I won't worry anymore now!"
So how can I stop worrying about things that will probably never happen, or things that may happen, but won't change who Yahweh is? Like everything else, it comes by faith.
Sometimes, it is that daily affirmation that Yes, I believe You, Yahweh! Even though my emotions tell me I'm dying or that the very thing I most desperately want can never come to be. But I believe! I trust! I know! And if I still worry for a time, it doesn't make me any less faithful or any less full of faith. And one day, when my faith has grown stronger and is strong enough to bring Yahweh's Word from Heaven to Earth, I will no longer worry or fear. There won't be room for worry or fear because the place that they once occupied is now taken by Yahweh's Word.
And this is how the war is won. One decision of faith at a time. Not to combat or fight worry or fear by reason or even by directly addressing them, but simply to choose to believe Yahweh. Believe His Word. And believe that I will see His Word manifest in my life, in the here and now. Because fear and Yahweh's Word cannot coexist. And His Word is evident, is substantial, only by faith.
See, I love writing. Sometimes it can even build up that Most Holy Faith that is the only thing that can bring Heaven and Earth together as one.
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