W.I.S.E. Bible Study

Growing up there was a phrase often repeated. It came from a popular book. When you thought you got something right and it went wrong, someone would quote this to you. Today, driving in the fog reminded me of this phrase, “best laid plans of mice and men…” Lent is a time to think about our plans, to Aline them with Gods plans for us. After all, who knows our gifts and talents more than the one who created us? Proverbs 19:21 states, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” As I drove in some fog, I was reminded of my plans and all that I am doing to prepare for plans. There is always bends in roads, road construction we didn’t see coming, but I know this too can help me become more of who I was created to be by choosing to respond with and attitude of growth. Today, I challenge you to look at the road you are on and identify what s of God and what needs to change. Are you accepting of fog, bends, road constructions or do they upset your plans...

  “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 I started my day in an outfit, to which I spilled coffee all down it. Lucky for me I have a change of cloths. This Friday we end the quarter, so it is stressful as students try to submit work that is overdue. I do not allow work to be submitted once a unit is closed. Stress. Even in Lent life gets stressful. It is hard to listen for God’s whisper in the mix of life. I am reminded that is exactly what I need to do, trust in God’s care so that I can be present to others. March is a month for me that I find long. Not because of whether, more because it feels like you are in the grind of it all. Like running a marathon and you are at the half way point realizing what you still need to go through. You push yourself, knowing there is a finish line…so, today I might not hear a whisper, but I know He cares on the path…

 This morning, I was greeted by a brilliant large moon that lit my way. A travel companion and light. Jesus told his followers to follow him. It is hard following anyone. I once took a group on a mission trip. We had one leader we followed. That didn’t work well. I find it hard to follow. I am a leader, strong independent woman after all. Yet, my Jesus says to follow. I don’t presume to be his equal. No, but he is my friend and companion. This morning, I was reminded that I am called to follow, not lead, not strangle behind, but follow. I study scripture so I know the foot steps I am to walk in. This Lent reminds me I must follow, not take charge, not get lost or sit down, but follow. In order to follow I need to trust the leader, and know his path. So here I am, this morning resigned to follow on the path…

  The Lenten journey is a reminder to me that I need to look at those who perhaps have done me harm or treated me poorly. I think of Luke: “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” (Luke 6:35) The hardest thing to do is to treat everyone who is sacred. I watched a movie starring Woody Harrelson entitled “Champions.” In the movie, Woody’s character learns that one of the characters will not play basketball for him because he was in an accident where he sustained a traumatic brain injury. Woody has to coach as a community service sentence for drunken driving. The boy “hates" drunken drivers. The boy's mother encouraged the boy to forgive. Learning to forgive hurt is difficult, yet I think that is part of the Lenten process. Who is your “enemy”? Who do you need to forgive, and see the person created by God on the path…

 As I journey through this life, I am reminded to pick my companionship carefully. “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20 Jobs come and go. Events come and go, but true companionship sticks with you through “thick and thin.” At work, I have people I hope I can stay in contact with after I retire. I enjoy their company. They provide wisdom when I ask. The other day, I said to a fellow teacher, I am having a teaching moment. I need advice.  Another teacher, whom I find wise, had walked in, and we discussed my “teacher moment.” They were able to provide wisdom, so when I went home, I was de-stressed. Thank you. My point today is surrounding yourself with wise companions; heck, I even married one. Wisdom is something to strive for, and especially finding it in companionship on the path…

 Today was one of those long days. I was trying to listen for the whisper, yet today was a straight eight. Our normal days are a "block" schedule, (82 min.) but some Fridays we have all eight classes, plus a 20-minute homeroom. One of our duties is that we can be called on to substitute during a period. I was assigned to sub for a physics class. That is where I heard God. Students were engaged in the lab; they had to do. Some kind students explained what they were doing, which I greatly appreciated. A change of pace. Seeing engaged students...wanting to learn, talking together about torque and things I knew nothing about. Yet, they explained it to me. I smiled, just enjoying their enthusiasm. Yes, God spoke to me in a physics class, telling me to step outside my world, get out of my head. During the day, someone asked if I was a big baseball fan because I asked for a jersey day for opening day...My reply: I like the science behind the sports; for me, sports are physics in mot...