Messages

I sat down and talked with her yesterday. It’s her first year teaching. We are closing in on fall break. It’s already taking a toll on her. And it’s tough. There is no way to be completely prepared for what you are going to see as a classroom teacher. We have veteran teachers who aren’t prepared for all that they see as a classroom teacher in a given year. It’s a challenge. Most days, we welcome the challenge with open arms. Why? Because we have a heart for children and a desire to touch their lives. But some days...some days it takes something else to stir your heart. Something extra. 

That extra comes in many different forms. I’ll never cease to be amazed at how our Creator knows how to send the message we need to receive...just the right way, and just the right time. For some of us, He sends it through a morning devo or even a song. You know those moments when you read your little inspirational passage and it just hits home? Or maybe it connects directly to something someone else told you, the Sunday morning message, or just thoughts and emotions that the Spirit has been stirring in your heart. Or that moment that you feel like you have to drag yourself to the car and the end of the day seems like forever away and then that song that just gives you life comes on the radio and changes your perspective completely. 

For some of us, the little extra comes in the form of the people that work alongside of us. You know, the ones that have the ability to keep us going, they speak the encouraging word, they inspire the best in us. They keep us knowing that we are not doing it alone. They drop that note, or that gift, or just that right word at just the right time. 

All those things come from God. It’s an amazing thought to think that there is a God who is capable of sending a message to move the hearts of every one of eight billion people on the earth. That’s right. Let me say it a different way. Eight billion people. And God is capable of speaking to each one...exactly what they need and exactly when they need it and exactly how they need to hear it. That blows my mind. I can’t even imagine why I would even matter as one of eight billion, especially enough for God to take the time to send me a message when I need it. 

To me, there is nothing more inspiring than to receive that message through a child. Those moments are rare, but they are life-giving. So when I walked in that Kindergarten classroom and that little girl came up, hugged my leg and asked, “When I grow up, will you be my Daddy?” It moved my heart. It gave me life. It sent me a message. A message that simply said, “Keep doing what you are doing...even when it is hard, and you are tired, and you question...everything. Keep doing what you are doing.”

“Of course I will.” I reply. But my prayer is this, when she grows up, she finds a Father that is way better than I can ever dream to be. One who knows her, is proud of her, and loves her more than I ever could. A Father with eight billion, who still takes the time to speak to her...in her language. That’s a beautiful thing. 

So to the tired, frustrated, weary, overwhelmed out there...there is a  message for you. It’s from your Father. He wants you to know that He sees and hears you. He understands. But you are where you are because He put you there, someone needs you there, and He will give you all that you need to keep moving forward...in exactly the way you need to hear it. He loves you that much.