If you want to see the world's worst teachers in action, you should have come to my classroom in the last two days. With all of the activities that took place this week, the kids are antsy and itching for the weekend. Pak Budi's son is in the hospital, so he is sleeping at the hospital (and not getting much sleep). I myself have been struggling as well. I talked with my mom a few days back and found out that my grandma has breast cancer. I have been a crying mess the last few days - which basically amounts to being tired, short fused, and a missing sense of humor.
With the events of these last few days, I have been stressed and been a slave to the "frownie brownie" pessimistic outlook. It reminds me of something that happened to me during the first semester of my senior year of college. I was stressed and overwhelmed with my brother being in Afghanistan, my education classes, and about where I would be teaching the next school year (at this point I hadn't even heard of SPH).
I was walking on the bike trail, right behind the Dordt College. It was still excruciatingly hot out (the summer wasn't ready to go into hibernation quite yet). I was about half way through my walk and sweating up a rainstorm. I had already downed the bottle of water I brought with me and I was dying for more. My throat was on fire (haha - random thoughts of Twilight come to mind when I think about this sensation).
Anyway, out of the corner of my eye I saw a picnic table and a water cooler. Now I have walked this path I don't know how many times and this is the first time I ever saw it. With my fingers crossed and my throat crying for some relief, I opened the cooler. There was a pile of ice and just below that was a whole case of cold water.
I grabbed a water bottle and began to drink, hoping that this would ignite the fire in me to complete my walk. About halfway through it I noticed something wrapped around the bottle. I was looking at it (still drinking and cross-eyed) and nearly walked off the path and into a ditch. After getting my balance, I stopped and took a look-see. There was a Bible verse that was taped on the water bottle.
James 1: 2-3: “When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”
The verse struck a chord with me, it was just the kind of encouragement I was needing. Sure, I needed the water, and it was temporary satisfaction (isn't it always when you're thirsty?). However the verse stuck with me and helped me lay my troubles and trials to God.
This afternoon as I was grading papers, I remembered this story and this verse and again it brought encouragement to me. It also helped me to stop dwelling on all my troubles and distractions and give them over to God. After all - he's in control. What do we have to worry about? Nothing!
Please keep Budi's son in your prayers, as well as my Grandma. Thanks for all your support and prayers! Love to all of you!
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