The Compliment

So we all have pain in our lives. Some of it is physical, some emotional, some spiritual and some unfortunately all three. People wonder why a good loving God allows his people to be in pain. I am not going to go into a sermon on that but I know for myself and the lives of those around me that we can learn and be blessed through our pain. We can see the blessing we do have more clearly and we can bless those around us through the way we handle pain or trial. Do we react to disappointment and pain with joy or do we lash out with pain with cruelty and jealousy? I am blessed to know families that are going through unimaginable pain and I have been so blessed that through this journey God has them on they continually find things to be thankful for and to rejoice in. It has inspired me to watch my reactions when going through my own struggles. We can glorify God when we react to things in a way that is pleasing to Him.

Most of you know that I struggle with my job. My heart breaks for these children and all that they face . But then day after day my heart is also broken by them. Sometimes it is a struggle just to turn into the parking lot and go through another day.

Recently I applied for transfer to a new magnet middle school being established within my system. This week I was granted an interview. This position would be pretty close to my dream job. The whole curriculum is based on hands on learning and problem solving. I love that! I spend so much time combating discipline issues in my regular classes I can't touch that kind of stuff. I've been really excited the past few days. Its pretty slim that I will get it but one can hope.

On Friday I was in the copier room making copies of the prom ticket sales forms and a teacher friend stopped to chat for a second. She told me that I couldn't get this job because she doesn't want me to go. She said that this place can be pretty negative sometimes and everyone needs some positive light and that is what I am and so I can't leave. She had no idea how this sweet compliment touched me! As much as I struggle to get through the day I try even harder to do it with a smile and to find something to look forward to or laugh about. Because I feel that that is what God would want me to do. To choose joy in the middle of pain and disappointment, like my amazing friends and family are doing right now.(But on a much smaller scale of course) I felt like God was saying thank you to me through this friend at the copying machine.

If something as small as a positive attitude through a bad day at work can encourage someone imagine what a joyful and thankful heart can do amidst bigger and harder trials. I'd like to say thank you to all of those who are ministering to me and others through your their reactions during hard and painful times. I pray that God will bring you joy, peace, blessing and above all a way out of the situations you face.