So this is happening…
I didn’t expect to be in this place at age 53, laid off from a flexible part-time job that fed my creativity and curiosity while boosting the family bank account (I previously wrote a little about my job loss here and here). Now I’ve taken on substitute teaching, which I like to call “an adventure.” It goes down easier that way, believe me.
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When I told people I was subbing, some people looked at me like I was crazy. Others told me to my face. Some were supportive. It’s not the easiest way to earn a few bucks, but the variety appeals to the ADHD side of my personality. The one that craves new experiences. I get those in spades.
Another plus, it has the flexibility I like. Some days, it can be challenging to keep kids on task.
My first job was in second grade on a rainy day. It was like trying to herd kittens. Four kids went to the nurse’s office with a range of complaints. All but one returned to class. The room looked like a tornado hit it at the end of indoor recess. But I learned something. Now I focus on middle school and high school.
Usually, most of the kids do the work. A few (or more) will test the limits of your permissiveness and your patience. A wise, long-time sub said, “Kids who behave for the regular teacher will do pretty well with a sub. When kids don’t behave for the teacher, you can’t expect them to behave for you.”
I’m learning to use my “no nonsense” tone when needed and walk around the classroom A LOT if kids are distracting each other. In our training, we were told to ignore minor misbehavior if it wasn’t disrupting “the educational environment.” Redirect and don’t give them the satisfaction of losing your cool.
I remember when I was a student, my classmates and I thought we could get away with more if we had a substitute. You know what? Subs are people, too.
On other fronts, I’m blessed with some freelance writing jobs where I can use my writing to highlight the achievements of others. But the work isn’t steady, so I aim for thankfulness rather than worry.
Meanwhile, I’m slogging through the mud right now as a blogger. I often fail to keep on top of the many tasks, and my readership isn’t growing like I’d hoped.
Choosing my attitude
And yet I can count many blessings this month: a colorful autumn visit to Plum Prairie Ranch with Shawn, fun family time at the Texas State Fair, meals with my lovely mom, a Bible conference awakening me to God’s glory all around me.
That’s life. The good, the bad and the things that make you go “meh.”
While my work life isn’t awesome right now, I know God is at work. He’s always up to something, especially in those seasons where I’m struggling.
We can’t always choose what happens to us, but we can choose our attitude and our effort. When we identify what we can and can’t control, we can take steps of faith and trust the Lord with the rest. And God longs to help us experience His victory when we trust in His promises.
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ… the answer was not Yes and No, but in Him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory. – 2 Corinthians 1:19-20
Even when life doesn’t turn out like we’d planned, Jesus is saying “Yes” to us about ALL the promises of God. He ordains our families and our friends. He places us in the body of Christ where He wants us, where His gifting of us will build up the church and glorify Him.
When I’m at Plum Prairie Ranch, how far I can see depends on the spot. Down in the grove of cottonwood, oak, mulberry and cedar trees, I see a tiny patch of sky overhead. Underneath one of the old 50-foot catalpa trees, I catch glimpses of a calf or a trio of wild turkeys. Because of the rolling sand hills, I have to be on top of a rise to see a panorama of the back pasture.
Sometimes life has us down in a hollow looking uphill or in a cedar thicket trying to keep moving so the ticks don’t find us. Other times, the view is grand. Waving tall grass and golden trees framing distant hills topped by a pink painted sky. You can’t keep taking hills without going through the hollows.
“Everything worthwhile is uphill”
I’m reading a book by John Maxwell, a pastor who felt called to inspire leadership around the world. In “No Limits” he writes, “Everything worthwhile is uphill.” He means that your life isn’t supposed to be easy. It will require effort.
While some blessings are without a doubt gifts of grace, our calling often has us struggling to get up the hill. That is what I like to call a normal situation. God is strengthening our muscles and teaching us to persevere.
When God says “No” or “not now” to our dreams, it’s because He is saying “Yes” to His promises. He is building a pathway with His promises. Jesus always says “Yes” to God’s best for us. We may not see the way because of all the curves in the road and the hills or obstacles that block our view. But God has the big picture in mind.
In Hebrew, Amen means “so be it.” Because God has our best in view, we can say “so be it” along the winding path because we know it is for His glory.
All the best stories include conflict. The hero or heroine overcomes a Texas-sized challenge to achieve a goal.
Will you adopt a new mindset by moving forward and trusting God wants to use your challenges for His glory?
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2
