When the Battle Seems Hopeless

   Every day when we wake up we have battles of our own to fight. It may be getting through the daily grind at work. It may be that someone is gossiping about us at school. Or, it may be a family member is unable to take care of themselves. It is difficult to fight those battles in general, but it is especially difficult if you fight them alone.

   In The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (link to clip here) 300 men are at Helm’s Deep getting ready to fight a battle. There are 10,000 Uruk-hai coming to fight them. It seems that the men will die no matter how well guarded the fortress is. The men have started to lose hope and courage. Aragorn’s friends tell him that it is hopeless and they will die. But, his friends still agree to fight with him.

   On top of that, elves arrive to help the men in the battle. Men have been corrupt for years and it is difficult for elves to trust and assist the men. Nevertheless, in the men’s time of need the elves come alongside men to help them. This helped men fight and survive the battle. The odds were impossible. There literally was no hope. Then elves came alongside their friends and suddenly spirits were lifted and the battle was won.

   We all have our own battles to fight. There are times where it may seem all hope is lost and the enemy is closing in. But, then we have someone come alongside us to help us through the battle. That is why it is so important for us to have friends who can help us during our times of need. We cannot be a lone wolf and think we can make it on our own because we cannot. God knew this from the beginning of time. That is why he created a mate for Adam. He knew Adam needed someone to help him fight his battles (even if they did lose a battle to Satan).

   We need to work hard to have a good relationship with God so that we can withstand our battles. And, so we can help others when they have a battle they are fighting.

   So, are you willing to come alongside others to help them fight? Do you have a good relationship with God so that you can fight your battles and help others in their battles?

   Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, John 15:12-15, Galatians 6:1-5

A Simple Reminder

   Just recently I had a meeting with a good friend. I had been at her house for a while and I got to see her kids. Her kids are younger and are still amazed at what the world has to offer. I was reminded what it was like to be a child. These kids were using their imaginations to be princesses, moms, and even the Virgin Mary. They had wonder, excitement, and a love for life. It got me thinking about when I was a kid. When I was able to be whatever I wanted to be. When I could create whatever I wanted to.

   Then I went to leave and something else happened that impacted me. I was walking out the door when one of the girls called to me. She gave me a wooden cross that she got at a Vacation Bible School. On the cross were the words to John 3:16. I thanked the girl then I got in my car.

   I looked at the cross. It was just simple wooden cross but the words on it spoke to me. Many Christians know the verse John 3:16 and have it memorized. It is a verse that brings many to the faith. It is an important verse. But, sometimes I feel like we forget the meaning behind it. See, we can say the words of a verse but forget the meaning behind it.

   Looking at that cross it reminded me that for a child that is all that matters. Their faith is so innocent but they cling to it. That is why Jesus said to enter the kingdom of heaven one must become like a child (Matthew 18:3). The cross given to me may not have seemed like a huge gift, but sometimes the smallest gesture can make a big impact. Whenever I look at this cross it will remind me to have the faith of a child. And, to see the world through the eyes of a child.

   So, do you remember to have the faith of a child? Do you remember what it was like when you first became a Christian? Do you truly believe in the words of John 3:16?

   John 3:16, Matthew 18:3, Hebrews 11:1

Mother's Day: Becoming a Substitute Teacher

   I've recently began my career as a substitute teacher. As stated before, in past blogs, being a teacher isn't easy. It is long hours of going over lesson plans, being present in meetings, and being responsible for the future of our nation. 
   If being a teacher isn't difficult enough, being a substitute is just as difficult but in different ways. For example: substitutes come into a classroom they do not know, to teach content they may not know, with kids they do not know, and they are in a school they do not know. That's a lot of "I don't knows" and yet substitutes are still responsible for teaching these students.
   Many people think that substitutes are just baby sitters. But subs are required to teach the content the teacher would usually teach. On top of the fact that substitutes need to teach that content with a lot of unknowns, that's a major step out of a normal person's comfort zone.
   At this point you may be wondering what this has to do with mother’s day. Well substitutes are in a classroom for just a day and they are required to still get to know the students and care for them. Even if the substitute fails to teach any of the content that substitute still leaves an impact on the students. Children are like sponges. They soak up information and watch people to learn.
   When I walk in a classroom to be a substitute I'm not just teaching. I am also a role model, nurse, counselor, and mother to these students. Any person who has contact with children, even if it's indirect contact (ex. At the mall children are watching you), is teaching those children. Many children learn by watching others. It is important that we are good role models for those children. 
   We need to care about the children just as Jesus did. He knew that children have a faith and a wonder that adults sometimes lose. Adults may not be as influenced as children are. That is why it is important, even if you don't have children, to be a mother or father to the children around you. 
   I'm not saying you are to go against the will of the child's actual parents. What I am saying is that we need to be role models. We need to teach children to respect authority. We need to care enough about children to make sure they are okay if they scrape their knee, are being bullied, or are not making good decisions. Even the smallest gesture can make a big impact on the life of a child. Just think about how much it meant to the children in Matthew 19:13-15 that Jesus was willing to see them.
   So, are you willing to step outside your comfort zone and be a role model to children? Are you willing to go out of your way to do one small thing for a child? Will you follow Christ's example?

   Proverbs 27:17, Proverbs 22:6, Colossians 3:16, Matthew 28:19-20

The Blame Game

   Having a dog is great. Whenever you come home from a long day the dog is always excited to see you. You always have someone to snuggle with whenever you want. If you drop some food by accident you have an automatic vacuum cleaner. And, you always have someone to blame.
   In my family we like to joke with each other. For example, if someone eats something that belonged to someone else we all blame someone else even if we did it. My sister and I used to blame my brother but then we got a dog. So now we can yell “it was Yoyo.” Yoyo, of course being his cute self, will not get in trouble as much as we would. ;)
   In the end whoever actually did it owns up to it. But, we all have a good laugh playing the blame game. The funny thing is, this game has been around since the first sin. And, sometimes, people are not playing it in a joking manner.  
   For example, in Genesis the blame game can be found in chapter 3. Adam and Eve had just committed the first sin. God asked Adam if he ate from the tree. Adam said, “the woman you gave me, gave me the fruit and I ate it.” Then God asked Eve what she did. Eve said, “The serpent deceived me.” 
   No one was willing to take the blame. No one wanted to take responsibility. Why do you think this is? It is probably because of fear. People would rather lie or blame someone else than take responsibility because we are afraid. We do not want punishment. We do not like punishment. And yet, most of the time, if we own up to what we did right away people are merciful. 
   Children may do something wrong, but if they tell the truth right away rather than lying parents see that as growth. If the child would lie instead they would get a harsher punishment because he sinned more than once. And, no matter how hard we try, we cannot stop sinning. We cannot stop blaming others because we are afraid.
   The great thing is, we don’t have to be afraid of sin. Jesus took the blame for us. He took responsibility of everyone’s sins already. We just have to believe in him and ask him to forgive our sins.
   So, do you ever blame others for things you have done wrong? Are you willing to admit when you have done something wrong? Have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins?

   Proverbs 28:13, James 4:17, John 3:16

A Birthday Reflection

   There are many times I reflect on what has happened in my life. Some specific times are when the New Year rolls around and when my birthday comes. Since today is my birthday I decided to look back on my life and see how much has changed.

   Through the past year I have had many ups and downs. However, this year, I decided to lean on God rather than worry. Because I did that, I learned different lessons about different times in life.

   Last year, during the summer I decided to go on a friendship fast. This helped me learn how to have God as my best friend. I also learned how to trust in him and have peace in him. If you are at a point in your life where you are moving on to a different chapter in life and you may lose some friends. My suggestion to you would be to learn how to have God as your bff. This means spending time with him daily and talking with him anytime you want to because he is there for you.

   In fall I made the decision to play soccer one more time. During that time I also had student teaching toward the end of my soccer season. While in soccer, I had some times that I was free. In that free time I decided to meet with all of my teammates to get to know them more. That made a huge difference on and off the field. If you are at a time in your life where you are at a certain work place, college, or you are just used to doing something more than someone else is you can come alongside that person or people and mentor them. I wanted the new players on the team to have a good time and to grow. That is what we all can do to help others.

   In winter I graduated and had student teaching. This was a scary time for me because I was leaving a place that I had been at for so long. If you are about to leave a place you have been at for a while my advice to you is to enjoy the time you have there for as long as you can. Once that time is gone, you cannot get it back.

   In Spring I began to substitute at various schools. This was also a scary time for me because I did not know the schools, children, discipline codes, or teachers. I am thankful for this job but it is not an easy one. This lesson comes in the form of past lessons I have learned. 1. Look for the positive in everything. And 2. Get out of your comfort zone. If you are entering a new place or job look for the positive in everything because if you do not you may be wondering why you chose this job. Also, you need to learn that there are times you need to get out of your comfort zone and trust in God.

   So, as you can see it is not easy to always trust in God but that is what you need to do when you reach these points in life. Are you willing to trust God in everything? Will you look for the positive no matter what?

   Proverbs 3:5-6, Joshua 1:9, Proverbs 27:17