Digging Deep

I love my job, but it is so much more challenging than I ever thought it would be.

So many of my students are deeply wounded.

It's hard to know where to begin sometimes.

At the same time, I feel even more strongly that this is right where God wants me.

Still, by Friday evening I am emotionally drained and exhausted...

I am reminded of a story I read once about a young person working in ministry.  His "well" was running dry and yet the demand for water kept increasing.  In desperation, he turned to an older woman and asked, "Can't someone else fill my cup so that I can keep pouring out?"  Her response, "Dig deeper."

I am thankful for the weekends and purposefully set aside time for rest.  I also turn to the Spring of Living Water, and dig deeper.  My students don't have anything to draw with and the well is deep...

I will go to Jacob's well
To fill my cup with Living Water
From the stream that has no end
And I will thirst again no more

...This is my prayer in the harvest, when favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again, the seed I've received I will sow...

Only a Bit of Summer Left

A few pictures (the only ones I took) at the Rockbridge Wine Festival this weekend.

 Discussing the differences between Merlot and Syrah

 

I think this means Merlot wins

"More please!"

Total Cuteness

My Unworthy Soul is Won

Yesterday one of our seniors committed suicide.  Those that were close to him are now experiencing the pain of loss and the guilt of wondering what signs they missed and what they should have done. 

The truth is we don't know why and we probably never will.  The truth is that not one of his friends is somehow at fault because of something said or something left undone.  The truth is that this young man was in pain but chose to suffer in silence.  He is the only one who knows the answers to our questions and he's not here to answer them.

I think the greatest tragedy in this life is for a soul to get to the end of its days and never know the Love of God that transcends all time and space.  Love that was there before the foundation of the world...that will remain when this earth is gone.  Love that can heal any hurt.  Love that is poured out for all....not because of who WE are but because of what HE has done. 

Lord, let me love others with the Love You have poured out on my unworthy soul.  May they come to know This Love...

Once an Enemy, Now a Friend

Loving Natalie Grant's new album, Love Revolution.  Especially this song.

Redemption.  Restoration.  Making a wasteland into the garden of the Lord.  Amen and Amen.

Bring the Rain

Isaiah 57:1-2 "The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.  Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death."

"Show Me" (Audrey Assad)

You could plant me like a tree beside a rive
You could tangle me in soil and let my rocks run wild
And I would blossom like a flower in the desert
But for now just let me cry

You could raise me like a banner in a battle
Put victory like a fire behind my shining eyes
I would drift like falling snow over the embers
But for now just let me lie

Bind up these broken bones
Mercy bend and breathe me back to life
But not before You show me how to die

Set me like a star before the morning
Like a song that steals the darkness from a world asleep
And I"ll illuminate the path You've laid before me
But for now just let me be

Bind up these broken bones
Mercy bend and breathe me back to life
But not before You show me how to die

Let me go like a leaf upon the water
Let me brave the wild currents flowing by the sea
And I will disappear into a deeper beauty
But for now just stay with me
God, for now just stay with me