"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."
-Albert Einstein
Since I was in the 8th grade I knew I wanted to study Psychology. My first adventure into the knowledge and understanding of this study of the mind was in order to help others as a counselor.
The more I studied, independently, the more I was fascinated by the different disorders. I became almost obsessed with the idea of research and diagnosing. I left behind my dreams of counseling high schoolers and began pursuing a career in research or analysis. That was, until this beautiful fall semester in 2013.
I worked the summer after my freshman year of college as an intern for Bethlehem Baptist Children's Ministry. It was stressful but more rewarding than any job I have ever had! Those children, even the strong willed ones, touched my heart in a way I never knew was possible. I ignored the love I gained for children and kept in my head that I was no counselor but a researcher. Yet I thought back to those moments in the classroom with the kids so often. I pictured their glowing faces, heard their giggles, and remembered the mind blowing questions they would ask me about God and Heaven. They looked up to me and honestly I kind of looked up to them for their innocence.
Like I said, I was a researcher. Psychologists in research aren't allowed to have feelings or emotions like that. When it comes down to doing experiments anything goes. (Of course we have a standard of ethics to abide by but) I had to keep my head on straight and go the way I thought I wanted.
Notice the problem there?
"the way I wanted." ----> I, not God.
The more I thought my head was on straight the more God pulled me back to show me it wasn't.
I am currently in a Human Growth & Development class. We are finishing up the first few hours after birth in lecture. But I've read on and I take incredibly good notes. I didn't think this class would have any effect on me because of how simple it is. But the more I study children in development the more I remember my days as an intern in Children's Ministry. Then I fall in love with the idea of helping childern.
When I was in elementary school I remember clearly the most incredible school counselor I have ever known. Her name was Nancy. I will never as long as I live forget the day my friend invited me to have lunch with her in the counselor's office. I knew how wonderful that room with the comfy couch was and I knew the comforting smile that would be there to greet us. My friend and I laughed, joked, ate our lunch, and simply had the most wonderful time. Honestly that is my best memory from elementary school. That lunch in the counselors office.
Thinking back to that memory and realizing how fragile this developmental stage is for children made me consider a career path that I have never in my wildest dreams imagined myself doing... becoming a counselor for the elementary school age.
The quote above reminds me everyday how fragile those little minds are. Children are teased, minds twisted, egos formed, and I want to be there as a nurturer to help guide them on a path that will benefit them and strengthen them. Not to harm them but to comfort.
With God's hand on me, my eyes on the Word, and my heart for God's little children I know I could really help a lot of children. Like my elementary school counselor helped me by that one short lunch in her office. Maybe I could touch the lives of some child with a simple "Open Door Policy".
Remember that every heart is fragile and every brain is always soaking up what the environment dishes out. Once you think on this maybe we will all begin to treat others differently.
Since I was little I have heard this saying:
"The Lord works in mysterious ways."
I always took it at face value. I thought, Well yeah He does miracles, like curing cancer.
But lately I have found a new way God can work mysteriously...
through ME.
I've posted things on Facebook and Twitter that I personally have found encouraging but thought I had made up and quoted myself. Yet I have noticed time and time again that other people are finding these words of encouragement more encouraging than I ever did. Sometimes these words of mine will simply be random thoughts that, to me, had no meaning but to someone else absolutely brightened their day.
"Actions speak louder than words."
Well I say that words touch lives more than actions when they come from the Lord.
Sometimes when you can't even see it the Lord is using you in some way. For me it has either been my blog, Facebook, or Twitter. It may be when you're walking on campus or in the office.
My church is hosting a Judgment House this year called Masquerade. It's about wearing a mask; hints the title. God may even be using you in church. What an interesting thought. Someone there may be watching how YOU are acting during church to decide whether or not they want to return.
Realizing how God has been using me and how everyday people are watching my every move, Satan is watching my every move and just waiting for me to slip up, makes me really want to dive into the Word and be open as a vessel/ambassador for Christ.
How will you make yourself open for the Lord to use you?
Are you already noticing how God has been using you to influence others?
(If you'd like to share any of your experiences feel free to comment below. I'd love to hear how the Lord has been working!)
Ever feel like you're being set up to fail?
Like nothing you do will ever go the way you think it should?
Well, welcome to my past few weeks.
*I experienced my first time being "separated" from a job that I had put my all into for an entire year. (My longest job)
*Then my computer started acting up during some online assignments at the time they were due, go figure.
*Then my bank account started depleting.
*If the piles and piles of school work and stress didn't seem bad enough....
I came down with one of the worse sinus infections I had ever gotten in my life.
I put on a smile, got up every morning and dressed up like nothing was going terribly wrong. I walked around like my world wasn't falling in around me and I couldn't catch the pieces. I felt like I was running around with a butterfly net trying to catch those pieces of my life.
Friday my parents finally came down and took me home for the weekend so I could recover from my illness. I was able to lay in bed all day Saturday and Sunday and just pray. I asked silly questions like
"Why, God?"
and
"What did I ever do wrong?"
This morning when I woke up and turned my radio on I got my answer...
"Praise God to whom all blessing flow. Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost." -Doxology by David Crowder Band
"My heart burns for You." -Obsession by David Crowder Band
These two songs really made me realize that all these things happening to me aren't tragedies or ends to somethings. They are merely beginnings to something greater! God has a plan for my life and He is leading me slowly there by strengthening me with these bumps in the road.
"13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he
will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the
temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able
to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
If God didn't think I could handle these trials then He wouldn't have given them to me. I believe this weekend of rest was the beginning of my "escape". Every solider needs a time of rest and recovery after being beaten down time and time again. Now I am back on the battle field ready to fight with the angels of the Lord on my shoulders. I will find a new job and I will conquer this trying semester.
Prayers are welcomed and thanked. Every college student needs them. I am not the only one struggling in this world. I am just one of the few blogging about the struggles of college and life. But my strength comes from the Lord and in Him I find rest and the power to go on!
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
The Lord doesn't break His promises. So go to Him when you are burdened and He promises to give you rest. He gave me rest when I needed it and now I am ready for the fight.
