Pursue Peace

Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness – without it no one will see the Lord. – (Hebrews 12:14, HCSB)

Try to live in peace with everyone. And try to keep your lives free from sin. Anyone whose life is not holy will never see the Lord. – (Hebrews 12:14, ERV)

Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, since no one will see God without it. – (Hebrews 12:14, VOICE)

There are times that this seems like a monumental task, yet it is what we are called to do. If we are pursuing peace, we are choosing to love over being right. To pursue holiness, we must pursue He who is holy. It is Christ in us that makes us holy, not anything that we say or do on our own. Our eternal hope is held in the Lord and as we choose Him again and again, we can rest assured that He holds us in His hands. God strengthens and equips us to pursue peace with those around us and to seek His righteousness to keep us on the path that He has prepared for us. May we ever seek the Lord for love, strength and direction as we pursue peace and aspire to live according to His good and perfect will, so that we may rest assured in the promise of heaven forever. 

O Lord show us how,

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

To pursue Your peace;

A love that settles,

Puts others at ease.

Lead us and guide us,

Away from all sin;

Show us Your nearness,

Give strength from within.

For only in You,

Is there holiness;

We’re covered and cleansed,

By Your righteousness.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to pursue peace and to live right through the power of Your great love. Forgive us for every time we fall short. Teach us to ever seek You to be our strength that propels us forward in peace and righteousness. Lead us to love like You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, Lord. Be glorified O God, as we pursue peace with everyone and walk in the wonder of Your great love knowing that our hope is in eternity with You. Amen.

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

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. – Psalm 119:105

Teach in Love

The earth is filled with Your love, O Lord; teach me Your decrees. – (Psalm 119:64)

As I prayerfully prepare to greet my new students for the first time today, this verse seems quite fitting. If I learn His decrees and follow His ways, I can be a part of perpetuating His great love that goes out into all the earth. My charge is to begin with one child at a time. Each student that walks through the door of my classroom needs to know that they are safe, valued, cared for, loved, and that an adult on campus believes in their potential. It is no small task to be a champion for children. We must love those who resist it the most, and encourage the elusive and errant, to help them find their way to the road that leads to their greatest success. This is the most rewarding and challenging job on the planet, and even after eighteen first days of new students, I still feel nervous for this one. I am continually challenged to stretch, grow, and discover new and better practices to accommodate the needs of my students. All it takes is one student responding to that which is extended, to know that it is all worth it. Each of us has a call to follow His decrees and recognize and pour out His love to all the earth. Though it seems to be a monumental task, it is really us beginning with one. Who is one person that we can love as Christ loves us? Our neighbor? Our employer? Our coworkers? In Christ, we have the capacity to do as He did, as we are meant to be His hands and heart to the world. May we go forth this day, following His decrees, and love well, all whom we encounter.

Please teach me O Lord,

Cautious & Adventurous last year on the 1st day of school… 🙂

so I too, teach well;

let me love like You,

as in You, I dwell.

Help my eyes to see,

Your love everywhere;

and lead me to love,

the lost in despair.

May my words bring life,

help all kids to know;

that their life matters,

may I help them grow.

Let safety be known,

as they enter in;

and peace overwhelm,

despite where they’ve been.

May love and laughter,

fill my classroom walls;

as we learn and grow,

discovering calls.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of teaching young people. Thank You that parents send us their very best, and we get to love and care for their kids as if they were our own. Thank You that You teach us and grow us in Your ways and Your love, so that we can love others as You call us. Forgive us for fearing failure, as that is a space where You teach us and grow us all the more. Teach us to trust You more, so that we can be transparent with kids, creating a safe space where we learn from failure and build on success. Above all, lead us to love well, so that students leave at the end of the day, in a better place than when they arrived. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we learn Your decrees and love as You love us. Amen.

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

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; …write them on the tablet of your heart. – Proverbs 3:3

Taking Courage in Trials

As I continue to make my way through the book of Acts, an underlying theme that continues to come forth from the pages, is the ongoing assurance that Christ is present with us, no matter what comes our way. As Paul faced angry crowds, accusations, assault and murderous plots, the Lord provided protection and His very presence. God did not take away the difficult road ahead of him, but He assured Paul that He would be with him, always. The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” – (Acts 23:11) Though Paul seemed to have an insatiable faith, imagine how empowered he must have felt after the Lord actually came and stood near?

 

The very same God that stood beside Paul, resides in the hearts of all who believe. When we are in the midst of difficulty, or are called to go into the face of adversity, He will go before us, be with us, and grant us what is needed to make an impact for Him. As an educator, I cannot help but think of the monumental task that is before the community only ninety miles north of my home. Yet another school, shattered by the brokenness of one child’s permanent solution to a temporary problem. May His courage and grace be poured out upon all whom He sends to bring healing, where devastation has been dealt.

 

When facing giants,

mountains we must climb;

His nearness constant,

for now and all times.

Our courage is found,

in Christ, the true King;

He supplies power,

and all needed things.

In trial, in loss,

in wholeness, in grace;

circumstances don’t,

determine His place.

For God is on high,

He’s still on His throne;

no matter what comes,

Love will be made known.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are with us, no matter what comes. Thank You that You go before us, remain with us, and that You supply what we need to see us through, even in the darkest of situations. Forgive us for losing sight of Your Light within us, and help us to shine brightly before others, even on the darkest of days. May we offer Your hope to the hurting and Your love to the lost, just as You have so generously done unto us. Father, please be present in the Marysville-Pilchuck community. Help every person impacted by the tragedy to find comfort in You. Equip and empower those You are sending to be Your hands and heart to the hurting in that community. Let beauty come from these ashes, we pray. Be glorified, O God, as we seek to stand firm in the gift of Your presence. Amen.

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

He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. – Proverbs 11:25

The First Day of School – from the heart of a teacher

The day it has come,

photo by AccessLocal.TV

it has finally arrived.

Wake up you sleeper,

open your eyes.

Get up and get moving,

the day, it is here.

Pack up your bags,

quiet your fear.

For today is the day,

the first of the year.

School is starting,

get ready, my dear.

Friends will be waiting,

old ones and new –

eager to visit,

and see wonderful you.

Classrooms are clean,

books dusted too,

teachers are ready,

for students, all new.

Shiny new clothes,

freshly cut hair,

supplies are a plenty,

all are prepared.

Come one, come all,

just as you are,

from right down the street,

or journey afar.

For newbies and seniors

and all in between,

get yourself ready,

it’s time to be seen.

There is only one you,

who can learn and can grow,

so soak up the knowledge,

learn what you don’t know.

Bring us your best self,

that is what you can do,

to make this the best year,

of learning for you.

No matter how much,

be things new or things old,

you’ve always a smile,

to share and behold.

For the lessons are just lessons,

if you don’t bring your heart,

so shine on sweet child,

make this a great start!

                                                                                                                                                                           Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessing of public education for all!  Please go before every student and staff member and prepare places and hearts for all to connect on common ground so that no only learning happens, but hearts feel heard and known.  Equip all educators for the monumental task of teaching our young, and protect all people – young and old, as they pass through these halls.  Please keep each student and staff member safe, and provide places for learning that lasts a lifetime.  Let each light shine bright, so that Your heart may be heard through the kindness and care provided by Your people, today and always.  Amen.

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