Most of my posts are somber and reflective. And today is no exception.
Today was a weepy day.
I took the last cart from my classroom and rolled it over the threshold, shaking hands as I fumbled for my keys to lock up for the last time. Closing the door of an incredible two years of teaching nearly 70 fourth graders with a top-notch staff. The family that was present with me through my brother’s tragic death.
Transition is difficult. Tangled with goodbyes and see-yas, it is even more uncomfortable. Waves of sadness keep washing over me. Why must I go?
My favorite little lady once said, “Loving Jesus is simple, but not easy. Love until it hurts… and then love some more.” *
So, I must continue to press on. I must leave the comfort and security of an incredible job to follow after God’s call on my life for this season.
Psalm 107 says, LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD SAY SO.
For the first summer of my life, I do not have a game plan. I am not working at camp. I have no way to escape my greif. I must deal.
I must rest.
I was catching up with an old friend the other day and he told me,
“Work is a privilege. Rest is a command.”
Rest can only come from a place of peace. The in-breaking of shalom. A place of trust.
I’m learning this new word: trust.
I must trust that God is reaching into the depths of my spirit to heal and regenerate life. I must trust that God is glorified in my weakness. He is faithful to renew my strength.
And so, I must combat my poor coping mechanisms in order to find this rest. I have decided to take a short sabbatical from most forms of social media this summer. I deleted Snapchat and will limit my Facebook use to World Race purposes. To avoid a delayed response, please contact me via text or phone call. If you don’t have this information, it is located on the home page.
I hope and trust that this rest will breathe new life into me. May the next post be a joyful reflection of the way the Lord met me in his stillness.
Amen.
*quote from: Mother Teresa
Author’s note: One of my students gifted me this necklace today (featured above) as a parting gift. It couldn’t be more precious to me. Thank you, Houston!
