Second Chances . . .

Just when you think you figured out what you are called to do . . . Wham!! Things come to a quick change of heart, and this is what happened this morning at church. We had some special guests today, and I have known and loved these friends for years.

For the last 5 years, I have given up something that I loved, the love of music! I used to sing all of the time at church. I sang in groups, solos, and in the praise band for years. I so loved doing this for God. This morning, my friends (who no longer live here) came to our church and sang. It just reminded me of the love that I have for music and singing. Then, I felt convicted. I knew instantly that God was showing me what I have been missing the last 5 years.

Then, our pastor began to talk about Jonah. He spoke about Jonah's running from God, and how God does not want to discipline us. Sometimes, though, God has to punish us to bring us back to where He is. WE also get in the way too many times. Then, he stated that, "God wants to fulfill the work He started in us".

God gives us second chances, like in the video. We just must take that step into trusting and believing Him. God is showing me His ways, but I must make that first step. Hmm . . . Decisions to move or not. I think that I will begin with some baby steps.

B.o.B - Airplanes (Feat. Hayley Williams of Paramore)

This song is my anthem right now, "Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shootin stars, I could really use a wish right now, a wish right now, a wish right now" (Airplanes). The song continues with B.O.B. saying, "I could use a dream or a genie or a wish to go back to a place much simpler than this . . ." (Airplanes).

I feel this way today. I have just left the hospital after a day and a half of the unnormal for me. If you know me, you know that I hate hospitals, funeral homes, and death . . . Anyway, my grandmother, who is 88 years old, is in the hospital. She suffers from dementia. I sat there today and listened to her talk normally and nonsense for some hours. Her walking is not stable as well. I wish I could go back and freeze time before this life altering disease that takes the mind and distorts it.

As I was leaving the hospital, I ran into one of our students. Her mother is there in the hospital, which made me very sad. This student is dealing with a major ordeal with this incident, and she needs our prayers. I wish I could go back and freeze time for her. I told her to friend me on FB, even though I do not friend students. I told her that she could contact me anytime, day or night to talk.

The truth is ugly. We cannot stop, rewind, and freeze time. Wishes do not come true, no thanks to Disney. There is only one that can make things bearable, and that is God. God can wishes come true, and He can make things simpler for us. I will continually to pray for my family in dealing with this horrible disease of my Grandmother's, as well as for our students that we may or may not know the situations that they are dealing with.

Pray for guidance and wisdom as we all deal with the hardships of life.

JCD

Trading My Sorrows - Darrell Evans

"I am pressed, but not crushed, persecuted, not abandoned . . . I am blessed beyond the curse for His promise will endure, and His joy's going to be my strength . . . I'm trading my sorrows, I'm trading my shame, I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord . . "

I had an epiphany today. I realized that I am not joyful, and the only person to blame is myself. I have been in a funk because I am tired of being alone. I keep being tempted to end this loneliness by jumping into a relationship that may or may not be a good thing. The truth is this uncertainty might be from God. Maybe God is trying to tell me to trust Him, give it all to Him, and then He will give me what I need in His time.

I have this timeline in my head. I love my one child that I have. I cannot imagine my life without her. I keep telling myself that I want more children. I truly believe that this more children bit is just to remind me that I want to get married again one day, and my clock is just ticking away. What if God has given me all of the children that I am meant to have? What if I am just so lonely, that my girl imagination is just running wild?

Here is the realization . . . I need to give all of these feelings of loneliness, more children, and sorrow to God. He is the only one that can meet all of these needs. If it is His will, then He will provide when He sees fit. If it is not His will, then I can rejoice through how He has blessed me.

Enjoy Darrell Evans' "Trading My Sorrows"

Love and Peace~ Jessie

Waiting or Just Do It . . .

I mentioned a month or so ago, that I was taking a class entitled "Mission Shift" at my church. It is designed by Chadwick Tucker, as a part of his doctorate studies for seminar. Anyway, he began the study about 3-4 weeks ago by showing us this video. Now, I told you that I was looking forward to how God would be showing me his plan for missions. I had no idea that things would progress to the point they are now.

If you are unaware, I have felt the call to be a missionary since I was a young girl. I had some events happen in my life that caused me to forget this call, temporarily. Once I got back on track with God, I wanted to pursue this calling. I kept making excuses for not going the mission route due to being a single parent. I kept,"Waiting for the World to Change".

Back to the class that I am taking. Mission Shift has allowed me to see that I do not have to relocate, change careers, or be something that I am not in order to be that missionary. Then, I was approached about getting an add-on license by my assistant principal. I discussed this with my principal, and he also encouraged me to do this. I have felt uneasy about this major life changing part of my career. It would be more work, less time with my daughter, but I would be able to provide more for her.

I felt uneasy for a few weeks about it, until tonight. I had asked my life long friend about this, and he simply said this to me . . . "Stop thinking. Just do it". In the Mission Shift class tonight, Chad stated that in order for us to live as though we were sent, we must see as Jesus saw. In other words, we must focus on others. How can I help people today? Then, it clicked . . .

I have been given this opportunity to change my life/job, but it is not for the betterment of myself. It is for the helping of others . . . Helping them to be the best, student, citizen, and person that they can be. I need to seek opportunities to make differences in the lives of others.

I am a missionary to the people that I interact with now, but I can do so much more after I stop waiting for the world to change, and just do it.