deciphering the days

Acts 17: 24-28 "The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth...he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live in all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each of us, for 'in Him we live and move and have our being.'" ***** Do you know what this means? It means that we weren't born in a random year, place, time, era, religion, culture, or family. God determined our allotted periods and the boundaries of our dwelling place - for the purpose of finding and knowing Him. Did you know that? In all of the time, in all of the places, with all of the people...It is here and now that I am most likely to know God. To have a relationship with my Creator. I do not have a greater advantag...

High-schooler. What an interesting stage of life. Makes for an interesting group of people too. I learn their names. I learn their academic strengths and weaknesses. I learn about their family, life, interests, and hobbies. Last night I went to watch them perform in a dance recital. Not like ballet - but hip-hop and street dancing. I thought I would watch them dance, recognize a few of them, and leave with objective critique of the performance. Will I ever learn myself? There they were: my students, of past and present. I recognized a lot of them. They were on stage - they were amazing! They worked so hard - I could tell! They danced and moved with such passion! I cheered them on! I couldn't believe their talent! ...I also teared up during the first song.... Seriously. What is wrong with me??? What was the emotion I was feeling? Pride? Was I that proud of them? I kept leaning over to Husband, pointing out students, telling him their name and what they are like as pe...

My alarm goes off and I'm not sure how, but I get up. I get dressed. I eat something and get on the public transportation. I go to class. As soon as I can, I come back home and go to sleep before work. My grades are dropping. I don't like that. I haven't gone grocery shopping. I don't care. My roommate is suicidal. I go to meetings about suicide prevention. I talk to a counselor. Not about myself, about my suicidal roommate. I should have talked about myself. I'm not happy. I smile for everyone. I can't fall asleep. I sleep all the time. I can't get out of bed. I am never late to class or work. I add up all the time I spend in class, plus the recommended time for working on school outside of class, plus the hours at work. There are not that many hours in the week. I barely eat. It's almost night and I'm in bed. I need to study. I can't sleep but I'm tired. It happens. Again. It has every night this week. I'm laying on my back, fal...

"Have you spoken to Joshua* and Marie* recently? Do you keep up with them?" inquires a good friend of mine? Being very fond of Joshua and Marie, I reply, "Unfortunately, I haven't spoken to them in a while but Husband was going to have breakfast with Joshua last week! I don't know if they did. Why? What's new and awesome with the Smiths*?" "Oh. I am guessing you haven't heard...they are getting a divorce." It was one of those moments where literally everything stopped. My friend kept talking but I wasn't listening. Divorce? That is literally impossible. No, I don't mean 'figuratively.' I mean 'literally.' These two are my role models for life, relationships, fellowship, joy, spirituality - the list goes on! These two are solid Christians with real relationships with God. They have been instrumental in mine and my Husband's relationship. These people are inspiring - to everyone they meet! They are down to ea...