Game Changer

In the beginning stages of this hip injury that I have been dealing with, I chose a word to focus on in my life and prayer for the entire year.  Reliance. If you haven't heard of the Abiding Together podcast then you definitely need to check it out! One of the podcast episodes I listened to over the summer was about praying for a word to focus on for a year. In order to ask God to reveal this word, we need to think about the deepest struggles on our heart and open ourselves up to the Lord's grace.  As I was driving a long distance, frustrated and in pain, I listened to this podcast. My intention was to take some intentional time to sit with the Lord in order to find out what He may be calling me to focus on in prayer. Since God clearly has a sense of humor, He revealed my word to me in that moment.  Reliance. Not only did He reveal this word to me but He also showed me what accepting this word and the actions that bring it to life into my heart. I stopped

Little joys are those things that bring us way more joy than it seems they should. The small things that give us bigger faith, exactly when we need it most. Things we may never tell other people about... Because they wouldn't understand why it brings us joy. But things we know Jesus is smiling and even laughing about with us. My little joys in this season of recovery: Making a 3-pointer in the trash can because it's way easier than crutching across the room Seeing Howie (my roommate's dog) run into the house as I'm in need of puppy kisses Making funny videos for my students while wearing 10 scrunchies and a blonde wig Answering a phone call that it turns out I really needed Eating Chick-fil-a not just once but two days in a row Getting weekly cards from my students Praying on the phone with a random lady at my doctor's office Playing pranks on and with my roommates Having a physical therapist that goes the extra mile for me in

Saint Therese of Lisieux wrote, "For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy." I first read some of Saint Therese's writings about joy in suffering last year during my first year of teaching. I had a cold at the time so what this concept meant to me was thanking God for the gift of a sore throat as the pain united me more closely with the suffering of Christ! A very simple yet powerful way of approaching suffering. Now that I am in the midst of more serious trial than a cold, having joy in the midst of my suffering has been easier said than done. I am 2 weeks into my hip surgery recovery. I miss my students and the joy they bring me. I miss being able to move and stay busy. I miss walking. It is easy in these times to fall into a state of depression and desolation. I am facing that now as I struggle to enjoy the same things I used to enjoy, as I cry more than I care t