Day 15: Grateful

Today I am grateful. For those of you who don't know, late night was middle school's student/parent orientation. A night when parents and students come, fill out paperwork, ask a whole lot of questions I don't know and meet and greet all the teachers their child will have.

I'll be honest. I was nervous, stressed with all the paperwork I had to do and getting my room ready. The night before I was at school until 10pm. But God helped me get it done. I got some advice, some help, some donations and a lot of grace. I knew I would get through it (ready or not) because I got through it last year feeling very much not ready, but this year it came together. My room looked like a classroom and one that wasn't boring either. All the little stuff got tossed in a box to deal with later, but I was blessed by a teacher who lent me the boxes with lids and an empty storage closet to put them in and a teacher who (bless her heart) moved them for me soi could do something else at the same time. The paperwork got done - even the schedule that I didn't need to do and took me over a half hour to find a printer with paper and ink that had Microsoft access to print the darn thing, which got compliments because I gave a little information about how the 6th graders day would go. I can't believe it all got done and it truly was so smooth.

When evening came with the parents, I was grew more confident as the night went on. I met so many people and I walked away at 8:30 feeling energized and so hopeful for the coming school year.

Truly I tell you, the Lord blessed me. That is what I really want you to walk away with. God is on your side (sometimes more than you are) and He isn't going any where. Last night when I woke up at 11:30 and couldn't go back to sleep God showed me these verses. May they bless your heart and stir up feels of thanksgiving in you because of how good our God is and because of all his good promises.

Zephaniah 2:7 NIV
That land will belong to the remnant of the people of Judah; there they will find pasture. In the evening they will lie down in the houses of Ashkelon. The Lord their God will care for them; he will restore their fortunes.

Zephaniah 3:9-10, 12, 14-15, 17, 19-20 NIV
9 "Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder.10 From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings.12 But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord.14 Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!15 The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."19 At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame. 20 At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes," says the Lord.

Haggai 1:12-13 NIV
Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord.13 Then Haggai, the Lord's messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: "I am with you," declares the Lord.

Zechariah 1:3 NIV
3 Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the Lord Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the Lord Almighty.
This verse touches me the most because every morning for the past 15 days I have returned to him for my hope, peace and strength. I not only am blessed but I am more tuned into it. I actually feel blessed through the stress, panic or frustration. Slowly, I believe my feelings are more and more matching reality as I go to God and his word more and more.

May you as well be blessed and be aware of all you blessings, praising His Holy Name as a result.
Amen.