Caught!

Matthew 14:31 (New International Version)
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

A lot of people, myself included, tend to think that God only shows up when doubt is gone...not a factor, faith in full effect. I can't tell you the times that I've wondered if I haven't received something that I've prayed for based on my level of faith...anyone been there?!

However, the above verse in my opinion shows just the opposite. Verse 31 comes after Jesus asks Peter to walk on water. At first, Peter succeeds, his eyes on Jesus, he shows that he can walk on that very water. BUT, doubt sets in, the factors are considered, the reality of the situation sets in, and he realizes that there is no reason why he should be walking on the water?

We all know what happens next...Peter sees the wind, and begins to get scared and sink.

Have you ever been there? Where you can't understand why you are accomplishing something that you very well shouldn't be able to perform? What about you muster up enough strength to wrap your mind around the task, but once you start, you begin to back pedal, and question why you?!

God promises us that He will restore our faith (James 5:15). Verse 31 shows us that God does not turn away, or wait for our faith to be restored before He reaches out His hand in times of doubt. I needed to explore this verse because I naturally tend to doubt A LOT! I don't like that I do, but if I can be real and honest....doubt sets in often times way before faith. It has been comforting to read that God recognizes that His people doubt, and that He still reaches out to catch us despite our humanness...

One of my most favorite scriptures, (notice a trend here), is Exodus 14:14 'the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.' This scripture is positioned right in the middle of the Exodus led by Moses to take the people to the Promised Land. The people were complaining, scared, and fearful. This fear caused them to pray. God often brings us to scary places so that we have no choice but to call on Him, to pray and communicate with Him, and then to WAIT! (A topic that deserves a post for itself...stay tuned).

However, doubt many times manifests itself in the waiting period...will it happen, can I do it, why me, will I succeed, am I on the right path? I could go on and on! The answer is yes, it just may not be the answer we expected, or in the package we dreamed about....and only God's timing can bring peace...

~Goodnight!

Lo Siento...

I think this means 'I'm sorry' in Spanish. It has been a while since I've posted, but I promise I have valid reasons.

I have been running like crazy for the past 2 weeks, and while at least I am back in Houston, I am far from resting!

So...what have I been up to you ask? Well, summer cheer practice started with a bang, and then I had my family reunion on my father's side. I went down that morning, and came back that evening because I left for cheer camp the very next day...and that's where I've been for the past four days. I'm exhausted to say the least, but the firls did so well, and they had a blast.

I will post more tomorrow, Taviea's wedding shower is this weekend, and I'm hosting with Malitta, so there will be many more stories to share!

Hope you all are doing well.. ~

David said it best...

I'm still working on that post of my thoughts on shadowing my principals....it's coming, but I'm not in the mindset to finish it tonight!!!

Tonight, I just want to talk about whatever comes to my mind. Have I mentioned that this is my last week of school? Can you hear me screaming with joy...can you? My plan is to party hard this summer...to live it up! I've got eight weeks to pack it all in, and that's exactly what I plan on doing!

I've blogged about Psalm 27:8 a couple of times before, but tonight, I took the time to read the entire chapter...

1 A psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation -- so why should I be afraid? The LORD protects me from danger -- so why should I tremble? 2 When evil people come to destroy me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3 Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear. Even if they attack me, I remain confident. 4 The one thing I ask of the LORD -- the thing I seek most -- is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD's perfections and meditating in his Temple. 5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. 6 Then I will hold my head high, above my enemies who surround me. At his Tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the LORD with music. 7 Listen to my pleading, O LORD. Be merciful and answer me! 8 My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming." 9 Do not hide yourself from me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don't leave me now; don't abandon me, O God of my salvation! 10 Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close. 11 Teach me how to live, O LORD. Lead me along the path of honesty, for my enemies are waiting for me to fall. 12 Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I've never done and breathe out violence against me. 13 Yet I am confident that I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

David I feel, was in a place where he struggled with the goodness of God, and his current situations. Where he personally knew what God was capable of, but he had people in his life, many whom he respected that wanted to protect him, and offer their opinions. David was in a war...maybe physical, but definitely spiritual.

One can become spoiled when they've experienced the goodness of God, when they know that above all...He can. It's a dark road to travel when we are met with silence. It's not a good feeling at all.

Have you been there? Me too friends, me too!

Many people believed that David wrote the 27th Psalm in two parts...the break coming around verse 6. Verses 1-6 highlighting a time in his life where God's blessings were abundant, obvious, you know that place, where we can feel His hand and His presence?

Many Christians believe that verses 7-12 extend from a time in David's life when he desperately needed to hear from God. However, he felt that God was not answering him, that he was forgotten. Absurd yes....far fetched...I don't think so...

We all know that God doesn't move His face. The Bible says that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8). He is incapable of change....but we aren't. Our lives are in a constant state of motion, and with this comes the fact that we stray...maybe not for a long time, but a shift nonetheless. So, it's easy to feel that God is silent, hidden, or has pressed the ignore button on your calls, but the psalmist says it best, '13 Yet I am confident that I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. '

On this night my friends, it's enough for me. He is enough for me. If He understands, no one else has to. If He has said it will happen, then I believe it...I expect it, and I'll praise Him in advance for it.

The REACH! front:
Again, what can I say. Blessings all around! I met with part of the REACH! team weekend before last, and we started planning 'Defying Gravity,' the back-to-school event! I'm so excited. My summer days will be devoted to all things Principal and all things REACH! I bought a mini notebook computer today for easy travel so that I could take my work on the road with me. It was a GREAT deal...and the best part....it's pink! YAY!

Right now the date is September 18th if all goes well, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my principal will let us have it at my school. Our theatre is amazing...and free!!!!! Pray with me on that will you?

Goodnight bloggies....

First Day as a Principal!

Quick Update: I have to be at work by 6:30...which I haven't accomplished since....the first month of school maybe! My principal originally said 6:00, but thank goodness she changed her mind...that's crazy! I wonder what time she'll let me go home...there really is no telling!

I'm taking her breakfast, or at least coffee....and I have no clue what I'm going to do...but I'll soon find out! So, peace out peeps....I've got to get ready for tomorrow...

It's All Good!

There are nine days separating me from today, and the end of the school year! Music to my ears. I'm going to try to enjoy each day, and work out at least during the week, because I have become a huge slacker in that department!!! Just sad!

I'll be attending one wedding, and I'm a bridesmaid in another....a trip to Virginia, New Orleans, and maybe even a little weekend in Vegas...if the dates align! Add curriculum development, and cheer practice, and that will probably bring me back to August way before I feel like it, but I'll be busy, so it's all good!

There is one thing (well...there are a LOT of things...but for the sake of staying on topic) that I want to conquer this summer. Would you like to meet him?

His name is Hell on Earth...better known as 'bleachers.' I see a lot of this in my future with the cheerleaders this summer, and they kick my butt!!!! BIG TIME!!! Add 100+ temperatures, and let's call it a party...NOT! On the up side, I'm imagining what my thighs and buttocks will look like! Don't hate me because I'm crazy! HA!

Have a great Thursday peeps! I'm back to homework!!

OH! One more thing...I'm shadowing my Head Principal tomorrow, and one of the Assistant Principals Monday! Should be exciting. Wonder what I should wear?!? I'm so ready to move up to the next level, but in His time....and it's all good!!!! For real...I mean it for real!

I'll be sure to let you know how tomorrow goes! I might even take pics for my blog...LOL! Not of the kids of course, that would not be good!

Treading water really isn't surviving at all.....

One of my friends knew I was having a hard time processing yesterday, and asked me if I wanted to write a letter about it....in the midst of all of that was going on...I had to chuckle. Writing for me does make it better. It's getting so that I rarely write in my journal, my thoughts too quick for my poor hand to keep up. I'm preferring the speed the keyboard of my laptop affords me. BUT, my heart misses the privacy my journal gives me. Not that I have any deep brooding secrets, but just because!

Bottom line...I miss my journal...and my church (I've been out of town the last 4 weeks, and I can feel it). Random interjection I know, but I think what this all boils down to is that I miss my Jesus! No, He hasn't gone anywhere, and neither have I, but I firmly believe that it's my lack of mobility that is the bigger issue. I am coasting. Treading water.

I'm allowing past disappointments and failures to ruin what's going on now, and 1) that is so unlike me, and 2) that contradicts what the Word says.

I know that there is a life of excellence ahead of me. I can't rest in mediocrity, and I long to make it all work, and to make it all fit. BUT, I wonder, just maybe if I'm overloading on what I know I should be doing, and what is already in my life, to forget and kill the desire of what I really want?!?

This school year is barely coming to a close, and trust me, when the next one starts...it'll be the biggest year of my life to date. I can count 4 MAJOR projects that I am personally involved in that will require ALL of my time, and while it makes me happy on one hand, it scares me to death on the other....because what if I do all of this, you know, to build the Kingdom and what not, and I never get 'found?' Let's do a motive check...geesh! What if I'm 50, and never reach my dreams, and never have a family...what if?!

You may judge and think that if these are my problems, then I've got it made, and you know, I might just have to agree with you, but I had a little anxiety attack yesterday, because I know that each of these 4 projects is what I've been called to do, but I have heard no guarantee that I will ever receive what I want.....and that my friends, scares me. I know it sounds like I'm saying God owes me something, and I know that He doesn't.....and I hope you know that that's not what's in my heart....

It is so not easy following the will of God, but I know I'm better for it....I know I am! I'll write more later, I've got a long day/night ahead of me.

If I had to pick one...

I love reading! I grew up in a family that would take trips to the bookstore....we could stay there for hours! In particular, my Aunt Jennifer...(I've never called her 'Aunt' in my life), and I are very avid readers. We still find time to sneak away and go to the bookstore, and try to find that special book that will keep us occupied for the next....2 days...HA!

Because I love to read so much, I don't have a favorite author. I love them all, but if I was forced to pick, hands down it would be Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers!! SO SO SO GOOD!!! If you've never read it..I promise you won't be disappointed!

It's a fictional account of the book of Hosea, and while that may not make you run out and buy it....your trust in my picks should make you!

Growing up, I can remember this book that my Mom would read to me. I SO wish I could remember the title as I want to be able to share it with my children too. I was a book about being a big girl. Being kind to others, and always sharing. It would also say that when things and people hurt you to remember to be a big girl....such a heavy topic for a little tike.

I can remember skinning my knee, or something like that, and my Mom picking me up and telling me not to cry and to 'remember what the book said.' I know I'm probably not giving a really big depiction, but if you know what book I am talking about, please let me know...remember, I'm a child of the 80s, so it was published around that time....

Another childhood favorite was The Babysitter's Club series (I wanted to start my own club FOR REAL), and Sweet Valley High! Do y'all remember those books? Talk about addiction..I used to belong to a book club that would send me 2 books every single month FOR YEARS while in middle and high school. I'm so glad my parents fostered a love of reading. It makes you smarter people....trust me, I'm a teacher. I can tell those kids who read for pleasure...they know things even if they haven't experienced them personally....READ TO YOUR KIDS and MAKE THEM READ!!!!! (jumping off soapbox)

Have a great FRIDAY! Spring Show is tonight, and then Waco tomorrow! Life is busy, but life is GREAT!