you are needed

 "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."  Colossians 2:6-7

As believers, we all have different gifts and talents God has equipped us with in serving Him. We may look different and bloom/act differently, but rooted in Him, we are all beautiful and needed... just as we are.  Uniqueness is necessary to help grow His kingdom.

Father, as Your grace and mercy flow freely through You to me, may i grow in the Fruit of the Spirit -  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control - so others may taste and know Your Almighty goodness.  Feeding on your Word and turning my prayerful concerns over to You, ensures a healthy harvest of faith nourishing our hungry souls and overflowing to others in need.   

As your roots run deep into the rich love of God, the bounty of blessings will multiply... and God smiles.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

i spy

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32

"I spy something red", "I spy a dress with flowers", "I spy a bluebird". Whether in a book, with a group of friends or on a family outing, I Spy is a fun game.  It can be as easy or hard as you like and adaptable to any age. Even as an adult, it can be a challenging game. 

Have you ever quietly played "I spy a witness to Christ"? It can be tricky or easy depending on what clues you are seeking.  If it's the dress or ornaments or talk, you might be tricked.  The best assessment is from their actions.  It hardly ever leads you astray.

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only..." James 1:22

Father, our actions always speak louder than our words.  May Your Light in us make it easy for others to find us... and You.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

fragile days

 "The Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds... Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit." Psalm 147:3,5

It's been 7 years since Daddy went "home".  At times it feels like it happened yesterday and then at other times, it feels like it's been forever.  If you have loss a loved one, you know exactly what i mean.  Oh how precious are the memories... they help soothe the hurting heart.

One of my favorite memories is taking Daddy Christmas shopping. He did his shopping and secretly bought a special mug for me. He had a talent for making me and others feel special. Unexpectedly, my precious gift cracked, but my memory of the event will never change and will forever be a smile moment in my heart.

Thank You, Father, for holding me together when all i want to do is fall apart.  
I am reminded, no matter how strong our faith, there are times when the hardy-faithful's heart shatters due to pain like a fragile-novice's heart.  Our frail humanity is never more exposed than when we are grieving.  You scoop us up and continue to bind up our wounds... Your understanding has no limit... You question not our recovery time or process. You understand.  You cover, repair and strengthen all the ugly cracks that show up in our life.  You, Father, can restore beauty even out of the worst of times.  I am thankful for memories, but i am most thankful for You.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

job requirements

 "And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

My first mistake as a substitute teacher was thinking all i had to do was to show up.  While showing up is important, i quickly realized a good substitute needs more preparation, planning and action. I now carry a SOS bag, keep a mindful attitude regarding the teacher's plan for the day and for the students in my care.

Here's my top essential sub requirements:

1. SOS bag - band aids, pencils, erasers, extra snacks, paper, grade-appropriate read aloud books.

2. Once in the room, locate or prepare nurse passes, locate the "black box" for emergencies and keep the teacher's and/or front office phone number on the desk. Meet the teacher closest to the room.

3. Regarding students, they LOVE to help you.  BUT, the first eager students who offer to help usually are not the best choice.  While getting information or notes on students, behavior information is helpful... their family tree is not.  Weed out the unnecessary information and use what matters to have a successful day.

**** Pray throughout the day.

Father, whatever our role in life -- a believer, teacher, parent -- it's not just enough to say we are one, but to act as one. Thank You for guidelines to keep us on track, no matter what we are doing or where we are.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

You are my Sonshine

  Jesus said...

"Surely I am with you always to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20

"Son"shine -- God gave Jesus to us unconditionally to make us free,

No one, no thing, no circumstance can rip Him away from you or me.

Forever yours, forever mine....

Our God is with us all the time.

Let's sing a song of thanks and praise,

Because God's Love is Mighty all night and day.

You are my Sonshine...  

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

essential life notes

"... a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself?" Romans 2:20-21

Needing more flexibility in my personal life, yet loving my job in the library, i made a change.  After CHRISTmas (and 23.5 years), i retired from my position as a school media assistant and embarked on a new journey.  Serving as a substitute teacher felt like the perfect solution.  And it has been, although i have faced a learning curve in this new adventure. 

In my initial plan, i limited my availability to where and what levels i would work.  It was then i discovered my 2025 word from church was spot-on... expand. 

For I quickly realized, i needed to open my mind and heart to other opportunities if i truly wanted to serve. While i wasn't interested in working outside my comfort zone, expanding my territory has shone to be a blessing.  Not only has it increased my world of friends, it has demonstrated an old dog can truly learn new tricks. I might not learn as fast as others, but i can learn to adapt to new situations. And the most important part?  I have a feeling of peace, JOY and belonging where i am.  

Are you facing an unplanned, unwanted, uncertain change?  Take it from me, have an open mind and heart and give it a try.  God plants rainbows and Sonshine in some of the most unlikely or unexpected places.  Where He leads you, it is good and serves a purpose.  I pray you find yourself willing to go and grow, as you trust Him in all things. When we limited the gifts God gives us, we limit our ability to serve Him wholeheartedly.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we love, live and do like we believe it,

veneal

just keep swimming

 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green." Jeremiah 17:7-8

Keeping our roots in His Living Waters builds and strengthens our faith, especially during turbulent, stressful times.  Because of God's love for us, we will not perish, but produce.

And when we thrive bearing the Fruit of the Spirit, others taste and see how good God is.  You, my friend, are a blooming beauty feeding and witnessing all in your path.

Father, how grateful i am that no matter what's going on, You are with me.  I'm digging my toes deep in Your unshakeable, unconditional rich foundation of Love, Mercy and Grace.  Rocks, droughts and difficulties along the way aren't meant to deter our growth, but to push us into a deeper relationship with You.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,
veneal