There is a time... WHEN?

I pride myself in being a very patient person.  Especially when working with others... co-workers, supervisors... children...  I can wait.  Yet I am not patient with myself or God.

Well... I think I could be patient if I knew what was coming.  It's not that hard to be patient and wait for a child who doesn't want to eat their dinner, but I know that I'm going to win this battle.  The broccoli will be eaten and life will go on - even if it takes a half an hour or more.

I pray that God has the same patience with me!  I know that seminary is a part of my path.  I know it's up ahead - but WHEN?  When is the time for this learning process?  Do I, or should I, do it all at one time?  What if I go to school part time?  Is that alright?

I know two things.  1- I have to go to school and get my Master's in Divinity and work towards being ordained as a deacon.  2 - I need to start/continue on my career path in camping.

Now - I believe that one day I can combine these two things into a beautiful plan.  I want to do ministry, serve the world (children, families, young people, widows, orphans, etc.) through a camp.  But when Lord?  WHEN?

Today's devotional for me was from Matthew.  In two words:  Don't worry.  Sigh.  Don't worry about the future, don't worry about food, don't worry about where things will come from.  Have faith and continue to seek God.

Seek God.

Okay.  Big breath.  Seek God.  (pray for me?)
Hey- I know you all get impatient too.  I pray for you, whatever your life stage is right now to also seek God first.

In peace,
 your sister in Christ~Erin

Matthew 6:25-34  Do Not Worry

 ²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^[b]? ²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Guidelines, but don't worry

When working with groups of students of group initiatives and team building I often want to throw in a twist, something I call "Strange and Wonderful".   For example if a group needs an extra challenge I may stop them and say - "Something strange and wonderful just happened!  While hiking in the jungle Johnny got bit by a titsy fly and his tounge swelled up so much, he can't talk!"

Really it's just a way for me to throw in crazy things and keep my kids on their toes.  =)

I have to admit I was a bit overwhelmed by chapters 4-6 today.  Starting with Jesus being tempted, I can relate to that.  He is always so strong and in control.  Then moving into the beginning of his ministry, calling his first 4 disciples, (can you imagine being the father James and John just left behind!), and soon crowds are following him and he is healing people left and right and teaching.

Then starts the teachings - the beattitudes, lots of reference to the laws of Moses, mostly very straight forward dos and don't.  But they aren't simple things, they are difficult.  I really struggle with some of it - divorce, wealth and possessions, love everyone, and always give of yourself beyond expectations.  Do all of this to be holy.  At least that's what I get from it, that it's all about righteousness and holiness.

And at the end of it is my favorite verse,  6.34 "So do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.  Today's trouble is enough for today."

So after all of Jesus's teachings on how to be a righteous person comes "don't worry".  Ah!  So I strive to  be more like Charlie Brown in the image above, enjoying the moment, being thankful, and not worrying.  We'll see how long it lasts...

(don't you have to plan for the future?  I mean, I'm really good at worrying.  About others, about myself, about what is coming up next.  Not so much that it's a problem, right?  Should there be more of a balance?  There are times where I hate Benjamin Franklins quote "God helps those who help themselves", mostly when it is used as an excuse not to help others.  Yet, shouldn't I make plans for my own life?  Plan to have nice work clothes, worry about how I will afford groceries... you know?  Sigh...

So to connect the dots-
As I try my best to be holy and righteous, to help me remind myself not to worry too much, I have a little worry statue near my bed.  He reminds me to give my worries up to God, because they don't do me any good.  (and he is a little strange... but wonderful!)

God Bless your and yours ~ your sister in Christ, Erin