Never in my life did I imagine that I would attend a funeral visitation AND a wedding all in the course of one short night. Both were events I knew I had to be at as one involved remembering the life of a legend of a man, whose grandchildren and great-grandchildren I have taught, worked with in 4-H, or even been co-workers with. The wedding was that of yet another former student and 4-Her.
Now, there comes a moment in life when you start really questioning the entire existence of yourself and what you are doing with your existence. In the past two days, I've done that a little bit. I've been really blessed to be at home so that I am more available to my family as a mother. I'm able to pick them up from school if they are sick. I am able to drive Kaydence to therapy. I am able to make almost every sporting event. That part of this journey has been awesome. I've even started a side business that allows me to be creative and do something else I really enjoy: make people feel good about themselves. I decorate apparel and I love it, but honestly, through the past two days, I've been able to see all of my "kids" from my former working days, and I realize how much I love working with young people. I still volunteer, but it isn't the same as being in their face everyday in a classroom. Even as a county extension agent, I had some awesome time spent with young people, who are now amazing adults. I miss it, but I also realize that as the Bible scriptures say, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven," (Ecclesiastes 3:1). So for now, I am the stay at home mom, or rather a work from home mom, but I wonder if or when I will be called back to teaching?
I've been so blessed to be a very small part in the lives of the kids I have taught. I hope that something I taught them sticks with them as much as things about them have stuck with me. However, this weekend proved again, that the best part of being a teacher, is seeing kids grow in their personal walk with Jesus. You pray for your "kids," and you are super involved with some of them, pouring yourself into them, but actually you are pouring God into them. This past year in particular, I have shed tears of happiness hearing some of my kids talking about what God has done for them and what they are doing for God. For me, it's like God has told me, "Wendy, thanks for letting me use you to do my Kingdom work." I'm all over here saying, "Thank you Lord, for allowing me to witness your miracles happening in their lives. Use me for your work." And I hope I don't sound vain to say that, but to actually see the fruits of your labor is just...wow! Because I didn't set out to pour God into those kids. I just set out to teach them leadership and hopefully how to function somewhat on their own and God just opened doors to opportunities to bear His witness.
At the funeral, I consoled a family member who was my student, and is now one of my very best friends. We have really leaned on each other over the years and I am so thankful for that. At the wedding, I watched a very beautiful bride and her handsome groom join together in a commitment to God. I had no doubt, no doubt, that God is the center of their relationship. It gave me great joy and hope to witness their vows. I also got to hear all about another of one my kids' medical missions trip. It was good stuff! The priest talked about how God is merciful. In church today, my pastor talked about how God is faithful. At the funeral, the message was God needs to be first (well that was one key point!) Through all of these, I just felt God speaking gentle reminders to my own heart.
And at last, I have to mention of course, the kid who has shaken my life up since we knew of her existence, and that of course is Kaydence Grace. We are heading back to Baltimore in May to the same place, the Kennedy Krieger Institute, but this time it is not for feeding. This time, we are going for only one month for intensive therapy, which will consist of an hour each of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy daily. THREE hours of therapy everyday. I am excited for this opportunity for a therapy boost, and am hoping Kaydence makes some great strides while we are there. Please be in prayer for her that she responds well and makes great progress.
Now, there comes a moment in life when you start really questioning the entire existence of yourself and what you are doing with your existence. In the past two days, I've done that a little bit. I've been really blessed to be at home so that I am more available to my family as a mother. I'm able to pick them up from school if they are sick. I am able to drive Kaydence to therapy. I am able to make almost every sporting event. That part of this journey has been awesome. I've even started a side business that allows me to be creative and do something else I really enjoy: make people feel good about themselves. I decorate apparel and I love it, but honestly, through the past two days, I've been able to see all of my "kids" from my former working days, and I realize how much I love working with young people. I still volunteer, but it isn't the same as being in their face everyday in a classroom. Even as a county extension agent, I had some awesome time spent with young people, who are now amazing adults. I miss it, but I also realize that as the Bible scriptures say, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven," (Ecclesiastes 3:1). So for now, I am the stay at home mom, or rather a work from home mom, but I wonder if or when I will be called back to teaching?
I've been so blessed to be a very small part in the lives of the kids I have taught. I hope that something I taught them sticks with them as much as things about them have stuck with me. However, this weekend proved again, that the best part of being a teacher, is seeing kids grow in their personal walk with Jesus. You pray for your "kids," and you are super involved with some of them, pouring yourself into them, but actually you are pouring God into them. This past year in particular, I have shed tears of happiness hearing some of my kids talking about what God has done for them and what they are doing for God. For me, it's like God has told me, "Wendy, thanks for letting me use you to do my Kingdom work." I'm all over here saying, "Thank you Lord, for allowing me to witness your miracles happening in their lives. Use me for your work." And I hope I don't sound vain to say that, but to actually see the fruits of your labor is just...wow! Because I didn't set out to pour God into those kids. I just set out to teach them leadership and hopefully how to function somewhat on their own and God just opened doors to opportunities to bear His witness.
At the funeral, I consoled a family member who was my student, and is now one of my very best friends. We have really leaned on each other over the years and I am so thankful for that. At the wedding, I watched a very beautiful bride and her handsome groom join together in a commitment to God. I had no doubt, no doubt, that God is the center of their relationship. It gave me great joy and hope to witness their vows. I also got to hear all about another of one my kids' medical missions trip. It was good stuff! The priest talked about how God is merciful. In church today, my pastor talked about how God is faithful. At the funeral, the message was God needs to be first (well that was one key point!) Through all of these, I just felt God speaking gentle reminders to my own heart.
And at last, I have to mention of course, the kid who has shaken my life up since we knew of her existence, and that of course is Kaydence Grace. We are heading back to Baltimore in May to the same place, the Kennedy Krieger Institute, but this time it is not for feeding. This time, we are going for only one month for intensive therapy, which will consist of an hour each of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy daily. THREE hours of therapy everyday. I am excited for this opportunity for a therapy boost, and am hoping Kaydence makes some great strides while we are there. Please be in prayer for her that she responds well and makes great progress.
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