Blessings of Strength

The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – (Psalm 29:11, NIV)

May the Lord make His people strong. May the Lord bless His people with peace. – (Psalm 29:11, ERV)

God makes His people strong. God gives His people peace. – (Psalm 29:11, MSG)

 

Today, this is a reminder to myself. We have arrived at the midpoint of the busiest week of the season, as it is the final week of school, prior to Christmas break. In our household, that means grocery and errand running had to be done last evening, there is a gymnastics meet tonight, and tomorrow evening, two of our boys have a holiday music concert, each following a full day of school/work and coaching (or in my husband’s case, commuting). By Friday, we all will be ready for a long winter’s nap. Though each day feels a bit like a marathon, God provides the strength that is needed to navigate each day, and His peace along the way. The challenge is to slow down, take a deep breath, and allow His strength and peace to flood our hearts so that there is no room for chaos and doubt and weariness. May we ever fix our eyes and hearts on the Lord to be our strength, as He provides what we need to navigate each new day, and grants us His perfect peace along the way.

 

The Lord grants us strength,

Where all strength seems gone;

Grants us what we need,

To keep keeping on.

And more than His strength,

He blesses with peace;

Brings calm to chaos,

As love is released.

No matter the time,

Day, week or season;

Hope ever abounds,

God’s grace shows reason.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give us strength and bless us with peace. Thank You that even on our days that we feel weary and worn, You come and provide what we need to keep moving forward. Thank You that as we trust in You, You meet us wherever we are, and demonstrate Your faithfulness; always. Forgive us for our lack of faith when chaos comes. Teach us to turn to You in trust, allowing You room to move in and through us. Show us how to love those around us in ways that extend strength and peace where it is lacking. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You, thank You and give You praise for Your goodness throughout all of our days. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. – Numbers 6:26

As Unto You

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. – (Colossians 3:23, NLT)

Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people. – (Colossians 3:23, CEB)

Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord Himself and not merely for others. – (Colossians 3:23, TPT)

 

After student-led conferences, there is a sort of shift as we are race forward into the holiday season. We have a four-day week this week, less than three-day week next week, then we are only a month away until Christmas Break. Calendars fill rapidly, and it is easy to over-commit. That being said, my intent going into this busy, but beautiful season, is going to be – if I cannot put my heart and soul into whatever it is, as if unto the Lord, then my answer to the invitation will need to be a “no”. My family, my job, and my existing commitments to that which I am called, have to be my priority as I go. I love people deeply, and grew up as a “pleaser”, so I must be certain that my motivation is as unto the Lord. He is well-pleased with us because we are His, not for anything that we do or do not do. May we keep our eyes fixed on the Lord as we walk into this wonderful season, and allow Him to lead us into the things that we can do with our whole heart.

 

In all that we do,

May it be done well;

As unto the Lord,

Love’s own personnel.

As we choose commit,

To events and tasks;

We need make certain,

Our heart in it lasts.

How we choose to work,

The care placed in things;

Is our way to show,

The good that God brings.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to do all things as unto You. Thank You that we are not created to please people, but rather to be obedient to You. Thank You that as we live and love according to Your call, work is done well and people are loved as You love. Forgive us for the times that we have over-committed ourselves and have been pulled in so many different directions that we were unable to fully invest in anything. Teach us to balance our time and place our whole heart into the things that we are called to do. Show us how to love and prioritize people as we work as unto You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we put our heart and soul into every activity that we do, as unto You. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? – Proverbs 20:24

 

Strength We Lack

I love You, Lord; You are my strength. – (Psalm 18:1, NLT)

I love You, God – You make me strong. – (Psalm 18:1, MSG)

 

Today is the final day before Christmas break. This has been the longest week of the school year thus far. Between a very full moon, the threat of snow, much colder temperatures than usual, and the anticipation of a much needed and long awaited break, both the campus and our classrooms have been engulfed in constant energetic activity. As educators, it takes every ounce of strength we have to attempt to channel that energy into productivity in the classroom. By the time the last bell rings at 2:10, I look back at my disheveled room in awe, and wonder how on earth I managed to navigate another day. In reality, I do know how. My source of strength lies in the Lord, and He meets me in each moment and provides the strength I lack. Despite my weariness, He meets me and restores my strength and joy, granting what is needed to navigate each class period. My love of the Lord grows ever greater, as I recognize His provision and care for me and those around me. May we go forth this day in His strength, ready to finish the week strong, as we trust Him to provide whatever we lack through His loving grace.

 

When weariness comes,

And strength is near gone;

The Lord will provide,

Help us carry on.

Let all that we are,

Give Him thanks and praise;

For His loving grace,

Granted all our days.

We love You, O God,

Our strength and our song;

In You there’s enough,

To rise and press on.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your grace. Thank You that You meet us where we are and provide the strength that we need to continue in the direction that we are called. We love You Lord for who You are and how You love us so well. Forgive us for not seeking You or giving You the praise that is due Your Name. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would come to You in our need and our plenty, asking for what we need and giving You praise for who You are. Show us how to love those around us in tangible ways, so that they may be strengthened and encouraged to finish well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give You thanks and praise for the strength You provide for all of our days. We love You Lord. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy. – Hebrews 4:16

Far Better to Finish

It is better to finish something than to start it. It is better to be gentle and patient than to be proud and impatient.  – (Ecclesiastes 7:8, ERV)

Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride. – (Ecclesiastes 7:8, NLT)

 

The much anticipated finish to the school days of 2015 has at long last arrived. Between our return from Thanksgiving and today, it can tend to feel like one of the longest stretches of the school year. Perhaps it is the changing seasons, where our world dips into darkness for so much more of our waking hours, or the gloom of so many rainy days.  Whatever the reason, it is a very long season in the world of academia. This final two weeks prior to Christmas break, tend to be the longest of all. For some, it is the eager anticipation of all of the great things that lie ahead, that keep their young minds wandering. However, for others, there is a fear and trepidation of losing two meals each day, and a safe space that is certain and routine. For these kiddos in particular, I have learned the value of being gentle and patient. Just when I feel completely exasperated with the behaviors of some of my students who act out the most, I find that if I continue to respond gently and patiently (despite how I feel), I am often pleasantly surprised by a decision to delve into the work for the day. It does not happen every day, but small steps in the right direction, keep moving all of us closer to finishing well – which is far greater than having to begin again. May we all keep pressing forward, with the finish line in mind, remembering that gentleness and patience carry us far better than our pride.

 

Keep running the race,

with patience, be kind;

far better, finish,

than keep running blind.

With great gentleness,

may we move ahead;

with the end in mind,

as we choose be led.

Far better the end,

than where we began;

for when we finish,

we’ve walked out His plan.

Likewise is patience,

far better than pride;

for in our waiting,

we learn to abide.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have shown us the benefits of finishing our race, and the grace that comes through gentleness and patience. Thank You that You do not just tell us that this way is best, but You sent Your Son to show us what it is to live a life of gentleness and patience; who finished all that He began. Forgive us for our lack of perseverance when things become difficult, or our lack of gentleness and patience when people and circumstances overwhelm us. Teach us to trust in You, so that we would rely on You for all that we need to be gentle and patient, having the strength and endurance necessary to finish all things to which we are called. Show us how to love others well for our entire existence, so that many may see You through the way that we show love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be exalted O God, as we are gentle and patient; persevering to finish all that to which we are called. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

For the Lord your God will bless you, …and your joy will be complete. – Deuteronomy 16:15