Wake up, soul. Wake up and love.
"We may have to wake up our souls a million times a day." These are the words said by some girl. A few years ago I took a trip to Atlanta to the International House of Prayer (IHOP). Poor girl, if I ever see her again, I will thank her and ask her name. And hug her. I am so thankful God put those 13 words in her heart to share with us.
I teach 2nd grade. I listen to about 22 million stories from 22 children during the day. My responses matter. Which one will they remember? The quick one that doesn't exactly show I care as much as I really do, or the one that blows their minds and sticks with them forever (in a good way). It's terrifying to think my words, good or bad, may be etched in their brains.
That's why. That is why I have to wake up my soul a million times a day. I know who I want to be. I am learning how to act like Jesus. My vision of a "good Christian" is not what it was. Parts of it are still the same, but some little things, that are really big things, have changed. I know how I want my heart to respond. But that is not necessarily my "default" response in every situation. My soul gets tired. My spirit feels crumbled. But I don't stop. I can't stop. Not even for like...3 seconds. We have a planning period from 9:00 - 10:00. I let my soul "sleep" some then. Oh wait, nope. A kid just walked back in to get a Chrome book he/she forgot. And of course, a conversation starts. Not a bad thing. But...here it goes - Wake up, soul (and mind - the coffee is still kicking in - yawn). Speak life. Speak encouragement.
More words from said girl ^
"He will give anything that propels pure love to come from us. He gives us what compels us to love purely."
How do I do that nonstop? It literally wears me out emotionally just thinking about it. Guilty. All the time guilty. Love Jody. Love Zoe. Love my family, friends, my 22 "adopted" babies. How do I give them ALL what they deserve??? "I" can't. He can. The end. "If [I] could change (or love) without Him, the cross would have been in vain."
He did not suffer and die for me to live defeated, confused, lacking. He died to live through me (us). He has given these blessings. They are the ones He loves.
"He will give anything that propels pure love to come from us. He gives us what compels us to love purely." I say it over and over. It's right THERE. You don't have to look too far. Purpose. It's right there in front of us. Whatever He has given, He has given. God is love. He calls us to love. And guess where I feel like I fall short? Just loving - with actions - not just "empty" words. So what does He give me? A million moments a day to simply love. The majority of my moments happen to consists of little people with runny noses who get really excited about Skittles and learning big words. I'll take it.
Thank you, Jesus.
I teach 2nd grade. I listen to about 22 million stories from 22 children during the day. My responses matter. Which one will they remember? The quick one that doesn't exactly show I care as much as I really do, or the one that blows their minds and sticks with them forever (in a good way). It's terrifying to think my words, good or bad, may be etched in their brains.
That's why. That is why I have to wake up my soul a million times a day. I know who I want to be. I am learning how to act like Jesus. My vision of a "good Christian" is not what it was. Parts of it are still the same, but some little things, that are really big things, have changed. I know how I want my heart to respond. But that is not necessarily my "default" response in every situation. My soul gets tired. My spirit feels crumbled. But I don't stop. I can't stop. Not even for like...3 seconds. We have a planning period from 9:00 - 10:00. I let my soul "sleep" some then. Oh wait, nope. A kid just walked back in to get a Chrome book he/she forgot. And of course, a conversation starts. Not a bad thing. But...here it goes - Wake up, soul (and mind - the coffee is still kicking in - yawn). Speak life. Speak encouragement.
More words from said girl ^
"He will give anything that propels pure love to come from us. He gives us what compels us to love purely."
How do I do that nonstop? It literally wears me out emotionally just thinking about it. Guilty. All the time guilty. Love Jody. Love Zoe. Love my family, friends, my 22 "adopted" babies. How do I give them ALL what they deserve??? "I" can't. He can. The end. "If [I] could change (or love) without Him, the cross would have been in vain."
He did not suffer and die for me to live defeated, confused, lacking. He died to live through me (us). He has given these blessings. They are the ones He loves.
"He will give anything that propels pure love to come from us. He gives us what compels us to love purely." I say it over and over. It's right THERE. You don't have to look too far. Purpose. It's right there in front of us. Whatever He has given, He has given. God is love. He calls us to love. And guess where I feel like I fall short? Just loving - with actions - not just "empty" words. So what does He give me? A million moments a day to simply love. The majority of my moments happen to consists of little people with runny noses who get really excited about Skittles and learning big words. I'll take it.
Thank you, Jesus.
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