Continuous Student

Just because I quit college after 2 years doesn't mean I quit learning... not by a long shot.

I've learned many small and large things since then.

Some things were trivial and I probably don't even remember that I learned them, let alone would be able to repeat them back to you (unless it was from this morning-grin!).

Some things were more important and I've written them down...
somewhere...
hopefully to remember them more readily.

But there are some things that are life lessons or lessons of the heart that Holy Spirit is continuously teaching me and I hope that someday, I'll receive the words from God my Father, "well done, good and faithful servant."

These lessons are more like a journey, not just a couple hours in a classroom, and I've chosen that journey for the rest of my life. Sometimes they are the results of much prayer and sometimes they come out of nowhere. Sometimes, I'm not even sure what all I'm supposed to learn, I just keep praying that I won't hinder my own learning process and that He will make sure that I get what I'm supposed to get. Recently, I've finished reading Stormie Omartian's Power of a Praying Woman and am trying to be more diligently in prayer at every opportunity... for myself, for my family, for my friends, for those around me who are without the salvation of Christ. I have found overall, that the more I listen to Bible teaching and music from my daytime radio station, and the more I "pray without ceasing" the more I really feel in His presence. And the more that happens the more I tend to dwell on His word and serving and helping others instead of worrying about me, where I am in life and what I want. This, for those of you that may not realize it, is really a good thing, though not always easy.

I've recently been through an event that has forced me to put some of these newly learned things and thoughts to the test and my hope is that by my feeble human attempts at being faithful, somewhere, someone will see Christ for who He is.

On Friday, while I was at work, my house was broken into and some things were stolen. This is the second time in 2 1/2 years, and thus added an additional layer of frustration and attack. It was a rough go to begin with, but God has blessed me with a church family that stepped up and filled in the gaps, some gaps that I didn't even know were there. I have 3 very faithful Christian sisters that made sure that I was not alone for the first 48+ hours.

They helped me straighten things out,
they hugged me,
they offered me bed and board
and in general just kept me on an even keel,
letting me grieve,
but not letting me wallow,
helping me begin to deal with (again) that feeling of violation that someone had been in my space and in my stuff.

I didn't sleep real well those first couple nights as I couldn't get my mind to turn off. Though I did have a sweet time of conversation with my God during the second night. As He reminded me that He was in control I was able to begin to pray for all the details of the situation and He began to release my frustration and anxiety and as I continued I was able to sincerely pray for those who had done this and to forgive them. Oh, what sweet release He gives when we follow His ways and turn it all to Him.

I had two more huge blessings during these first few days as well. The first was that when I spoke with my parents they decided to change their plans and come two days earlier, so they will be here tomorrow. The second was from another class member who gave in a way that I would never have expected, but that was extremely helpful to me and removed one more detail that I didn't have to concern myself with in the midst of the crisis.

The biggest thing in all of this, is that I really am at the point of praising Him for it all, not easily gained, I'll admit. I'm physically fine. My cat was not in the house that day, but outside so he is fine. Though it's disappointing that I lost some sentimental family jewelry, everything I lost are just "things" and I have good insurance - not to mention that I came into this world with nothing and know that I'll leave it the same way, everything I have is the Lord's anyway. My house is still standing, I still have food and clothes and transporation and a job.

Mostly, I have an opportunity to handle this situation in such a way that His love shines through me...
and maybe...
just maybe, someone will see that there is something different about me and be drawn to Him. I want to be found faithful to Him in how He expects me to carry myself as His child, His student.

"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."
I Peter 1:6-9