Can You Repeat That?

    For those of you who know me, you know I am a teacher. I teach 3–5-year-olds every week. That in itself is a challenge. But I also have to repeat myself many more times than the average teacher because, if you have never worked with preschoolers then you would not know, they have a hard time listening.

   One day I was in my classroom in the morning. A mother was dropping her child off. The child ran through the door with the mother walking quickly behind her. The mother looked at her daughter, let’s call her Quail, and said, “Quail, you need to wait for mommy to go into the classroom with you.” I chuckled to myself because this is one of the children who likes to do things her own way.

   The mother shook her head and said to me, “how many times do you repeat yourself a day?” I stood there and began to think. I was actually going to try to give her an estimate. Then she said, “maybe I should change the question: how often when you ask a child to do something do you not need to repeat yourself?” I laughed and replied, “it is quite often that I do repeat myself.”

   This whole scenario reminded me of patience and how patient God is with us. How many times do you think God had to repeat himself to the Israelites? According to impactus.org, he says “I am The LORD your God” at least 150 times alone. How many times did God remind them that he was with them? The word “love” appears over 300 times in the Bible according to christianity.com. The Bible talks about loving others, how God is love, and that God loves us over and over. You would think we would remember this because of how many times it is repeated. Yet, like children, we forget.

   2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” God is willing to repeat himself because of his patient love. He created us and wants us to grow in him. Thus, while we are here, we are to show his love to others.

   So, are you showing patience with others? How can you remember God’s grace and patience each day?

What in the World is Happening to Children These Days?!

   "R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me" (Respect Aretha Franklin). I've heard this song many times but I've never thought much about this particular lyric until recently. I love children. I really do because they have amazing curiosity, kindness, love for life, etc. But children, and people, have changed.

   We could blame the change on many different things: society, technology, morals, etc. But that's not why I'm writing this blog. I'm writing this blog for 2 reasons. The first is so people realize the changes in people/children, we will get to the second reason later.

   Today children do not listen to those in authority, do not have patience, need instant gratification, whine, and ask why rather than trusting those in authority.

   When I was younger I, and I'm sure many of you as well, listened to those in authority. Sure sometimes I failed to listen to my parents or teachers but I did the best I could to please my elders. Today children do not want to respect others no matter who that person is. They use the excuse of "we don't get any respect so why should we give it?"

   Children do not have patience and need instant gratification. We could blame technology and say that whenever children want an answer or want to win something all the need to do is turn to technology. They have an ideal that they should win something even if they lose because we have participation awards.

   If children do not get what they want they whine. If they get an answer they do not like they ask "why?" Rather than being okay with the answer they got from the person in authority.

   Now I understand that we want children to be curious, want them to work hard, we want them to question things. But this has been taken way too far.

   We are headed down a path that we may not be able to come back from. This path of selfishness and no patience because we want what we want and we want it now. This path of "I deserve it." You don't deserve anything but death (blog link)! This path of disrespect where we only think of ourselves and do not care about others' feelings.

   This is when we get to the second reason why I wrote this blog... see I made you wait and have patience ;) Thus far this blog has been pretty pessimistic but, just like in life, there is hope. We can change this path. We can choose to go down a different trail.

   How can we do this? We can say no to kids and people. Thus making those people realize that they do not deserve everything and making them work hard for themselves. We can stop giving participation awards and instant gratification. This makes people work hard for what they earn and work even harder to get that award again. We can disciple people and teach them right from wrong. This will help immensely with the disrespect problem if rewards are given for doing the right thing and taken away for doing the wrong thing.

   Above all else we must come along side people, lean on God, and pray. This path has already been paved and it's not going to be easy to turn around and change direction unless we are all working together toward this goal. We must keep one another accountable and help children who may not have good role models. And, when it seems hopeless, we must trust that God has a plan.

   So, have you seen this path that people and children are going down? Are you willing to make these changes so that children's lives can be better? Will you come along side others, be a role model, and trust in God?

   Matthew 5:16. Romans 12:12, Philippians 2:4

I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up

   Some of you may know that I was a soccer goalie. Throughout my goalie career I received many injuries, as I'm sure you can imagine. I have had minor injuries, like brush burns. And, I've had major injuries, like black eyes and boarder line concussions. No matter what injury I received they all had one thing in common: after each injury I received, I got up. As a goalie, it is vital that I got up after each play. If I did not get up then my teammates may have thought I had given up, I would not have made the second save if I needed to, and my team may have thought I was hurt.

   One time when I was playing an indoor game I went out to make a standard breakaway save. I got the ball and then I went to get up quickly like normal, but I couldn't. I started to panic. My body felt fine except for a few brush burns. Then I realized someone or something was touching my head. Turns out my friend, who played defense, was running back and was afraid she was going to kick my head. Instead of kicking my head she used her hand to hold my head down. I don't know how she got her hand down mid sprint but she did, and I've never been more freaked out in my whole goalkeeper career. You have to understand that when I want to get up I get up. I'm not used to something or someone holding me down.

   Maybe you have felt this way about a different situation. You may have been going through a tough time and you just felt like you couldn't get up out of the situation. You may have even felt like the devil was the one holding you down. It reminds me of the commercial where the older person has fallen and she can't get up. Like I'm talking this situation is so bad that it feels like it is the devil pushing you down and you cannot get up. Believe me I have been in that situation as well and it is 10 times worse than just your head being held down. I am talking major panic attacks, worrisome thoughts, and it seems like there is no hope.

   What can you do when it feels like you've fallen and you can't get up because the devil has pushed you down? Let's take a look at the ultimate example again. Jesus was pushed around by the devil. He was out in the wilderness, fasting for 40 days. Could you imagine not eating for 40 days? Let alone, being alone for 40 days? Satan knew this would be the time that Jesus was the weakest. He went to Jesus and tempted Jesus 3 times. He, in essence, tried to hold Jesus down 3 times. Each time Jesus  rebuked the devil. Jesus knew that Satan was wrong because Jesus knew scripture. Jesus kept his eyes fixed on God. In the end Jesus said to Satan: “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve’” (Mat.4.10). Jesus used the ultimate take down: he used scripture. He flipped the script on the devil. He flipped the devil over and K.Oed him.

   Jesus gives us this power too, but we cannot do it on our own. Many people would like to think they can do it on their own. They think all of the sudden they are going to get hulk powers and rip the devil apart. Is that what Jesus did? Is that what God did? Ha, no the most powerful beings did not just flip the devil over. They could, Jesus could have that day, but instead he was an example for us. He used God's word to prove that we need him. Jesus comes and tag teams with us. We just need to be willing to call on him, tag him, and let him K.O. the devil. With his help, we cannot be held down.

   So, the next time you are held down what will you do? Do you believe that with Jesus' help you cannot be held down? What can you do to make sure that you grow in your walk with your wrestling partner, Jesus?

   Matthew 4:1-25 and Proverbs 24:16

   Image from here.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

   I promised a while ago that you would more than likely hear lessons from my new dog Jak Jak. Well, here is your first one.

   One day my sister was playing with Jak Jak. She had his squeaker toy and he was trying to get it from her. She held it high in the air. She was trying to get him to jump. He started barking and growling at the toy and at her. Now, you need to know that Jak Jak doesn't really bark much. He may bark at  a certain type of dog but other than that he's fairly docile.

As he was barking my sister said, "you have to try." See, Jak Jak hadn't even tried to jump to get the toy. He just barked because he wanted my sister to put the toy lower. Finally, Jak Jak jumped. He missed. Then he backed up, ran, and jumped. He got the toy. My sister said, "see, you just had to try."

   There are multiple lessons in this little episode. One is never give up. Another is try. But I want to focus on something you may not have thought of. At first, Jak Jak used his words. I don't speak dog so I don't know what he was saying but I can imagine he may have been yelling at my sister, making excuses, or he could have been saying "I am going to get it give it to me." His words didn't do him any good. We can rant and rave about something that upsets us or something we want but does that do us any good?

   It wasn't until Jan Jak tried to get the toy that he succeeded. Jak Jak stopped just using words. He stopped yelling. He stopped making excuses and let his actions speak. That little idea that actions speak louder than words is proven here. Many times we walk through life making excuses or yelling about things we don't like. But, that doesn't do us any good. We need to try. We need to work. We need to act.

   If there's something you don't like that's going on, what can yo do about it? If there's something that seems impossible do you just give up or do you keep trying? Do you ask God for guidance and help when you have problems and you are not sure what to do?

   James 1:22 and James 2:18

   Image from here. 

I'm Changing My Name: A Mother's Day Blog

   One day I walked into the classroom where I work (I'm an assistant preschool teacher) and the first thing I heard was "hi Miss Kat." The students call me that. Then I went over to say hi to the teacher I work with. Let's call her Amy. I started talking with her about the day and I heard, "Ms. Amy he took my toy." Amy took care of it. Then a minute later I heard, "Ms. Amy I am wearing a new dress." After Amy said, "that's very nice." I heard, "Ms. Amy I want snack." Amy looked at me and said, "I'm changing my name."
   Some of you may laugh at this story because it is funny. Others may laugh because you've been in the same situation. Yet, others may just think it's a pointless story. See, Amy and I work with 3-5 year olds. They need a lot of help to solve problems, do normal tasks, and learn about their world. And, we don't have only 1 or 2 of them in our class. We have 13-18 each day! I'm sure mothers understand the concept of wanting to change their name because of being called on to help so much.

   Sometimes people, mothers especially, may wonder why they do everything they do. Sometimes they may wonder is it worth it? Sometimes they may just think, "I never get any free time." Then they get a hug, a card, or someone says "thank you" and they realize that it's all worth it. Eventually that child is going to grow up and not need you as much. Be thankful for the time you have with that child in that season.
   This also applies to our Christian walk. Jesus never lost patience with us. When we ignore him for so long because things are going well, he still loves us. When we treat him like a genie and ask for all our wishes that we may or may not need he still loves us. When we walk away from him and sin he still loves us. He didn't make the choice to change his name. He chose to die on the cross so he could have a relationship with us.
   What's that mean for us? It means that we need to follow his example. Sure, there will probably be times where we want to change our names because of everything going on; but we need to keep trying to grow to be like Jesus. We need to try to have patience and show love to others like Jesus does.
   So, have you ever lost patience with someone? What could you do to try to be more patient with others? How can you grow in Christ today?

   Romans 12:12 and Galatians 6:9

   Image from here. 

Perfect Timing

   Have you ever had a time where you were feeling really down? It just seems like you cannot win and people don't care. I have had a few days like that. One time in particular stands out.
   I had just gone through coaching pre-season for soccer (which means 2-3 practices a day that are 1-2 hours long for 2 weeks every day except for weekends). I had also begun a new job. I was worn out from working a lot both in soccer and at my job. I was also overthinking things that happened at soccer and work.
   My family decided to go to Infinito’s to celebrate my sister and I surviving pre-season. While we were hungry, my sister and I didn't eat much. We both kind of wanted to sleep because we had been out in the heat for 2 hours. We finished our pizza and then walked to Dollar Tree, which is the best store in the world if you are a teacher. I got some items so I could survive the next week, can you say coffee?
   Then I walked across the street to go back to our car. My sister was behind me a bit further because she was holding the door for someone. As I was walking across the street like a zombie, a car passed behind me and I heard some people yell, "Shoe!" (That's what they called me, long story) I turned around and saw 5 of my old teammates from LBC.  I got so excited and yelled "hi." Then one of my friends saw my sister and said, "hey little Shoe."  My sister was happy to be recognized and I was happy to see my friends. We didn't talk at all really but my spirits were raised because I was reminded of good times with friends, and that I'm still not alone.
   Now, if I hadn't gone to Infinito’s, gone to Dollar Tree, or walked out at that exact time I wouldn't have seen my friends. God's timing was perfect; and he knew I needed a pick me up, even if it was a little one. God knows what we need and when we need it. He works through coincidences to help remind us that he is with us and in control. I could go into many more coincidences that happened that brightened my day but I will not because you get the idea.
   So, do you believe that God's timing is perfect? Do you know that God works through coincidences? Will you trust in his plan?

   Isaiah 40:31 and Proverbs 3:5-6

   Image from here.

Graduation Past, Present, And Future

   I was blessed with the experience to be a Kindergarten teacher this year. Recently, we had our Kindergarten Graduation. The students worked so hard to put on an amazing program and they did a fantastic job.

   Now, my students are ready for the next step: first grade. Actually, they have a little something called a summer vacation before that. Here’s the interesting thing: my kids were ready for summer probably a month ago. They were already talking about going to the pool, going to Disney, playing with friends, and just relaxing.

   Have you ever noticed how many times we are waiting for the next exciting event? We are ready to go to middle school, then high school, then college, then the real world. Why do we want to fast forward our lives? Perhaps it is because during the season of life we are in we don’t like the challenges, we don’t like the work, we don’t like this or that. Let me ask you this: what happens if we do not have challenges?

   The answer is: we don’t grow. Challenges are difficult to face but we must face them, with God, in order to grow.

   I think that we need to stop and slow down. We need to remember to look at the past, present, and then the future.

   Looking back: We need to look back at the places we were, at who we were, and at the people who impacted us. When we look back, we should not look back with longing, regret, or sadness. We should look back and be thankful for the challenges and the people who helped us through those challenges.

   Looking at now: it is a well-known saying that “today is a gift that is why it is called the present.” Many times we want to fast forward days because we are looking forward to something. But, we should be using the present wisely. We are only given a certain amount of time on earth, and we don’t know how long that is. That is why we need to enjoy now and the moments of joy we get.

   Looking at the future: when we look at the future, it may be scary but we need to prepare ourselves for the future. We do not need to overthink about the future. This is a difference between worrying and preparing. Worrying means you are always thinking about whatever the future holds. Preparing means you are taking action in the present in order to reach your future goals. Preparing means that you are working hard, and trusting God because he holds your future.

   For those of you who are graduating I encourage you to look back at who you were and thank the people who helped you grow. Next, stop for a minute and enjoy this moment because it is fleeting. Finally, prepare yourself for the future that God had for you!

   Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

   Image from here.

The Adventure of Being Single

   What do all of these lovely ladies have in common? "I want adventure in the great wide somewhere I want it more than I can tell" (Belle). "Some day my prince will come" (Snow White). "I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream" (Aurora). "I can't wait to meet everyone! [gasp] What if I meet... the one?" (Anna). If you haven't gotten it by now I'll clue you in: they all want to find their prince. Once they find their prince they live happily ever after (even if they are not married [Anna]).

   The funny thing is girls all over the world look up to these ladies. We all want adventure, want to find our prince, and want to live happily ever after. I mean, we have been fed that our whole lives in movies, books, and even from friends and family members. But, is that really how we should feel?
   In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul talks about marriage and singlehood. We've all heard the verses before. Paul states in verse 8: "Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do." Why would Paul tell us to stay single? Didn't God create us with a desire for the opposite sex?
   Paul goes on to say "...An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world-how she can please her husband" (34).  Think about the married couples you know. Do they have a lot of time to help others? Not really, they do not have time for it. I'm not saying it is wrong. Like Paul, I am saying that married people have other concerns. They have to care for their spouse, children, and think of other needs for their family.
   Single people only have to care for themselves. This frees them up to think about others and what God would want them to do. I know that I have more time to help out at the school I work at, at church, and help friends because I do not have any commitments. 

   But, that doesn't mean it is not difficult to not think about marriage. As stated before it is difficult in today's society to not think about marriage. We are constantly bombarded with people and movies saying "why are you still single?" Those of us who are single have to ask ourselves is it worth it?
   Is it worth feeling lonely at times? Is it worth the possibility of not having a family? Is it worth maybe having no one to come home to? I am 23 and I have never been on a date. I will tell you firsthand it is not easy feeling like something is wrong with you because you've never had a boyfriend. But, that is just the Devil lying to you.
   It is worth it. I cannot tell you how many opportunities I have had because I am single. I have been able to go on mission’s trips, play soccer on some amazing teams, meet with friends who are hurting and help them, help out more at church, coach many different teams in soccer, and so much more. I would not have had time to do all of those things if I had a boyfriend.
   I guess rather than looking at the world we should take a lesson from Paul, and more importantly God. We are to follow God's word. He did create us to be relational beings but not all are called to have that kind of Eros relationship. Rather than dwelling on it, we should be thankful for this time we have; because it could just be a passing season (Ecclesiastes 3). Ultimately we should not forget to have our own adventure during our seasons of singleness.
   So, will you choose to be thankful for the season you are in? Will you obey God's word and stop listening to the world? Will you choose to help others as much as you can?
   1 Corinthians 7, Ecclesiastes 3, Hebrews 13:16, Philippians 2:4

   This blog is part of the "Savoring Single" blog tour! Author Shelley Black has written a new book called "Savoring Single." Here are the links to her website and Amazon.

Official Website: www.savoringsingle.com

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Savoring-Single-Shelley-Black/dp/1973610590/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513614663&sr=8-1&keywords=savoring+single

Hosted by Livy Lynn Blog Tours! Are you a Christian author? Let me plan your next blog tour!

 https://www.livylynnblog.com/for-authors-marketing/

Love the Simple Things: Christmas

   The other day I was sitting at home alone. I had just finished up working on a PowerPoint for my K5 class and was sitting on the couch sipping coffee and watching a Christmas movie.
   At first I was just sipping it slowly and then I thought about all of the other things I had to get done that day. I began to drink my coffee faster. Then a thought occurred to me: why was I drinking my coffee so fast all of the sudden?
   I have been watching Christmas movies where people either don't care enough about family and the simple pleasures in life, or where people care too much about those things. And, I have also been reading books about slowing down and enjoying the simple things; because if we don't enjoy the simple things how can we truly enjoy the major things?
   During Christmas time we have a tendency to rush, rush, rush. We need to get the presents. We need to decorate our house. We need to get things done for our job. We need to cook the meal for family. We begin to feel overwhelmed and forget that Christmas is also a time to slow down and think.
   Way back when the first Christmas came to pass Joseph and Mary needed to get to Bethlehem. There was no room at the Inn so they had to stay in a simple stable. Then when Jesus was born he was laid in a simple manger. These were not extravagant things, but they became important items in Jesus' life. 

   Next, it wasn't anyone super important who came to see our Savior first. It was the people who were considered the lowest of the low, shepherds. They were told by the angels to go see the baby, Jesus. The shepherds could've said "we will go as soon as we get this done." Or, "we don't have time to go see a baby because we have to watch our sheep." They didn't do that though. They got up and went to see the baby. 
   They realized something we don't nowadays. That the simple pleasures bring major joy. They went to see a baby that wasn't extraordinary on the outside, but was extraordinary on the inside. They went to a simple stable and saw a baby laying in a manger. An odd way for a baby to come into the world, yes; but, nothing was really extraordinary about any of the simple items or people in this story. However, now those people and items are so special and remind us about how Jesus came to the world as one of us. His story wouldn't be complete without these things and people.
   This Christmas I encourage you to slow down and enjoy the simple things that happen this season. We have a tendency to look forward to the major events but not the little events that led up to those events. Yet, if you ask people what are their fondest memories they tend to say little events. Take a lesson from the shepherds and choose to push work off to the side for a little so you can enjoy big events with your family. 
   So, will you choose to slow down and enjoy the simple things? Will you reflect on how simple events/things can become extraordinary?

   Romans 8:25, Philippians 4:6, Luke 2

Conclusion: The Fruit of the Spirit Series

   “Grow deep roots to harvest rich fruit! When your roots run deep, you cannot help but bear the fruit of the Spirit” (Michael Beckwith).

   Thus ends the journey through the fruits of the spirit. Even though my journey of writing about the fruits of the spirit has ended my study and application of them in my life has not. Because, if we as Christians stop learning about and applying the fruits of the spirit then we fail to grow in God.

   Through this journey I learned a few things that I hope you realized as well. First, all of the fruits of the spirit are connected in one way or another. Detaching them was a difficult task as was defining them. For example: if one has a gentle spirit then that person will love others. If that person loves others then the person will show self-control if someone else angers him, and so on.

   Another aspect I hope you have seen is that without God one cannot exhibit all of the fruits of the spirit. This is why one must be in constant communication with God. And, why you must have a relationship with God. God wants us to be his friend, and he wants him to grow in him. Above all else we must remember that when certain things happen in our lives, that we may not like, it is all within God’s plan for us. That is why we must trust him.

   So, are you willing to grow and exhibit the fruits of the spirit? Do you have a relationship with God in order to better exhibit the fruits of the spirit?

   Matthew 7:15-20, John 15:1, Matthew 6:19-21, Galatians 5:22-23

Having Patience While Waiting: The Fruit of the Spirit Series

   “Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting” (Joyce Meyer).

   “Are we there yet?” “Is it almost time for dinner?” “When is it time for recess?” “When will Jesus come back?” What do all of these sayings have in common? They all have to do with waiting and patience. And, they all have to do with busyness. In our American culture people really have issues waiting or slowing down. Why is that? It is because we have difficulties being patient.

   To be patient one must “bear pains or trials calmly or without complaint” (Merriam-Webster). You may be saying, after reading that definition, I am pretty patient. I want you to think about the last time you were in a traffic jam. How patient were you then? I’m pretty sure you are saying that you were not that patient. See, patience has a lot to do with time. In our culture being on time is important. We only have so many hours in the day in order to get things done. We don’t want to make others wait.

   All of that can be good because we are respecting others. But, it is also bad at times because we start to get angry when things don’t go the way we planned. In order to have patience we need to lean on God. He has a perfect plan for our lives. There is a reason why you were stuck in that traffic jam. You may never know the reason, but you can rest easy knowing you are within God’s will. That’s why we can have a good attitude whenever something doesn’t go the way we planned. Think about it: will getting angry change the situation? Will getting upset change the situation? No, it probably will not. That is why we must learn to be patient and trust God’s will.

   So, are you going to change you attitude about things you cannot control? Will you trust that you are in God’s will? Will you work to be patient in all situations?

   Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 37:7-9, Galatians 6:9, Galatians 5:22-23