Heart Choices: 2011-09-04 -->

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What Kind of Aroma Are You Spreading?


Word-filled Wednesday; a day to share God's Word.

I love flowers.  When they are in bloom, the aroma is profound.  As you walk in this world, what kind of aroma are you spreading?

The verse that follows says "For we are to God the aroma of Christ ..."

Are you spreading the aroma of Christ?

I'm linking up with The Internet Cafe for Word-filled Wednesday.


Blessings and love,

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Are You Easily Offended or Defeated?


It's In Other Words Tuesday and I'm linking up with Living for God.

Here's the quote she chose for us to write about today:


"He who has no sense of self-importance
cannot be offended or defeated."

W. Phillip Keller

Wow; this is a good one for me right now.  In the last two years, my life has been a bit of a roller coaster ride.  I've gone from being retired and doing all the things I've always wanted to do to returning to full time work.

In the process of finding work, I was unable to return to my career of 25 years as a cardiovascular nurse.  Since I hadn't worked in the field for the last five years, I would have to return to the university for a refresher course.  At the time, I needed to get to work immediately.

In the process of job hunting, the Lord found the perfect job for me through my pastor's wife.  She works at a private school as a third grade teacher and so I interviewed with the principal.  I was hired to help out as a teacher's aide in the PreK 3 class.

I am now sweeping floors, cleaning up paint (and the occasional vomit but I'm comfortable with that), walking three year old children to various activities, reminding them to sit quietly and ...I get to love these children.  There are days when I remember the higher positions I held in the nursing field as a Manager and Charge Nurse.  But then I look at the faces of these precious children and I know this is where I belong for this season in my life.

I am not offended or defeated as I know that God is sovereign and is fully aware of my situation.  I used to always quote the verse about "working as unto the Lord" when people would complain about having to do things that weren't what they felt they were capable of.  Even in nursing, I was occasionally yelled at by Type A heart disease patients who were frustrated.  So there were plenty of humbling and unpleasant moments.

But I look at the life of Jesus and see His example.
 
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
But make himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, 
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself
and became obedient to death --
even death on a cross!"
Philippians 2:3-8

So when I am tempted to feel offended or defeated, I remind myself of these verses in Philippians.

How about you?  Are you easily offended and defeated?

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

Count Your Everyday Blessings


Count your everyday blessings!  I've discovered that is the best way to live life and give praise to God.

It's a new school year and so it starts all over again.  I was amazed at how much our last year's class learned. But now we have new little three year old children who have minds that are open to learning.  I find that a great responsibility and privilege.
Heidi and I are starting all over with the alphabet.  So this past week was the letter A; both uppercase and lowercase.  I was so pleased when one of the children had an apple in their lunchbox and proudly told me that "apple starts with a".

# 148   How quickly little children absorb and learn new things


In PE, the children had some fun activities outside on the field.  They had to walk along a chalk line single file. Occasionally, the PE teacher had them skip or walk sideways to make it more interesting.

And of course, there was the occasional ...falling out of line.  Little Will had a little trouble here.

#149  Watching the children learn activities to help with their coordination


The children are taught to sit criss cross applesauce very early in the school year.  When they sit down to story time, there's more room and less danger of someone stepping on their fingers.

What a joy to watch little Evan this year!  Heidi told me the other day that if she had a classroom full of Evan's she'd be happy.  He is so sweet.  We get so excited when he excels in writing his name and knowing his numbers.  He is looking forward to being Star of the Week and putting together his poster for next week.  He even told me so excitedly "I have a friend.  Max and I are friends."

#150  Seeing a child blossom in so many ways right before my eyes

This past week one of my mom's best friends died.  Aunt Greta was a bridesmaid in my parents' wedding way back in 1950.  They were childhood friends and went to the same church.  During my growing up years, we celebrated all of our birthdays together with her six children.  One of them married my cousin Linda and they are missionaries in Belize.

It was sad for her family but thankfully most of them were by her bedside when she died.  She was a godly woman who loved Jesus. She was looking forward to seeing Him and to be with her husband Stan who died 20 years earlier.  I know  my mom will be having good talks with her in heaven too.

#151 The blessing of a homecoming of one of God's children

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When I come home each day, my feet ACHE!  I am running around with little children all day.  And then during after school hours, I help out with getting kids to the gate to meet their parents.  With after school activities, it doesn't always go so smoothly.  So I find myself running to retrieve the children and walking them to the proper gate.

My husband Greg has been so good to me!  He has me lie down and he very patiently and methodically massages my feet.  It is so relaxing and I'm so grateful for his kindness.

#152 A husband who massages my feet and has dinner ready when I arrive home from school

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#153 A day of rest and relaxation as we celebrate Labor Day today


Are you counting your everyday blessings?  It's not too late to get started and join in with Ann of A Holy Experience.



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