Lay It Down

Yesterday, we had an absolutely beautiful service at The Crossroads. Pastor Shawn began a new series on worship. This week, he spoke about the cross. We did things a little differently than normal. We opened with "Made to Worship" and then we left the stage and Shawn talked for a few minutes about the cross and how we all have things we're holding onto - guilt, worries, sins - and he reminded us that God already took care of them all. One of the verses that he shared really stuck with me.

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed."

Isaiah 53:5

It's a verse that I've read and heard for the majority of my life, yet I can't seem to get one line of it out of my head. "...the punishment that brought us peace was upon him..." Punishment and peace. Two words that I typically do not associate together. Peace. It's so hard to find peace these days, and yet so many people are looking for it. I know I have been. God and I have been working through some tough stuff lately, and I find myself ecstatic when I make it through the day and realize that I feel a sense of peace, even if it's just for that day (or even that hour).

After Shawn spoke for a few minutes, he asked us each to take the slip of paper that was in each of our seats and write some of the things down - sins, guilt, worries - that we had been thinking about and invited us to nail them into the cross. Sadly, I had no trouble at all filling up my entire sheet of paper. And quite quickly, too. I walked to the front, and as I knelt down at the cross, I literally felt as if I was kneeling at the feet of my Jesus. The sound of the hammer hitting my nail made it so real for me.

Next, I took communion from the table and knelt down beside a friend who was praying. She turned to me and prayed a Jewish prayer over our bread, then said it in English for me. Next, she prayed Jewish and English prayers over our juice. It was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever heard. It took me completely by surprise. This unbelieveable feeling came over me and it took me a minute to figure out what it was. It was peace. In that moment, God reminded that I didn't have to search for peace every single day. He already took care of it. He already gave up his Son so that I don't have to carry around my guilt or pain or worries. I can experience His peace instead.

Yesterday, God spoke His love over me. He filled me with His peace. He reminded me that even though I have nothing but filthy rags to offer Him, He accepts them gladly, and restores my soul.

Lay it down...

Camp Kindergarten - Top 5

Wow. It's been over three weeks since my last post. Time flies when you're having fun. Or more appropriately in this case... time flies when school starts and you've got about a bazillion things to do!

Well, we have survived the first few weeks of school. I've got a pretty good class this year. Very sweet kids. A few little turkeys. One that's really going to keep me on my toes. But we're going to make it, and it's going to be a GREAT year! It's hard to believe that I'm already in my sixth year of teaching. One of my favorite things about teaching kindergarten are the simply hilarious things that my kiddos say. I'm so thankful for all the laughter that happens in our classroom (mainly because it keeps the tears at bay!) I'd like to share a few of my favorite things my students have said during these first few weeks of school. Here are my top 5...

5. It's the second day of school and our class is playing outside on our brand-new, beautiful playground. The sun is shining (it's HOT) and there's not a cloud in sight. My sweet little "L" comes up to me and says... "Ummmm... what's your name again?"
Me: "Remember, I'm Ms. James. Don't forget me."
L: "Oh yeah, Ms. James. Hey guess what?..."
Me: "Yes, L?"
L: (While looking up to the sky) "Well, according to my calculations..." (Then makes a "beep-beep-boop-beep" sound on his pretend weather-radar machine) "...it's not gonna rain today! So we can play outside!"
Me: (While thinking, 'Thank you, Captain Obvious') "That's GREAT!!! Thanks, dude!"

4. In the middle of a Language Arts lesson the second week of school, C raises his hand and says "Ms. James, if you ever need me for anything, and I mean EVER, you don't need to worry. I am Superman and I can go and change into my Superman clothes if you need me to 'cuz I've got a special secret room in that gym over there and I can change. So you just let me know." Totally out of the blue and completely random. The only response I had was "Ok, thanks. I'm glad to have you on my side."

3. One day during the first week, one of my little girls wore a dress that looked very much like a fairy princess dress (think Halloween costume). After dancing around on the playground for a few minutes...
Me: "O, your dress is very pretty."
O: "Thank you. I take my style with me wherever I go, ya know?!?"
Me: "Yep. Me, too."

2. While walking back from a restroom break one day, one of my little boys had a terrible cough. After catching his breath, I asked him is he was ok. He said, while patting his chest and shaking his head, "Well, I think I'm coming down with some homesick." LOL!!! I couldn't help but chuckle!

1. During Circle Time one morning, J asked me if I had a certain book that she wanted me to read to the class.
Me: "No. I'm sorry, but I don't think I have that book."
J: "Can you buy it and then read it to us?"
Me: "Well, books cost money, ya know?"
J: "Maybe you should get a job!!!"
Me: "Yep, maybe I should!"


I hope these made you laugh as much as me! I know our year in Camp Kindergarten is going to fly by! I hoping we're still laughing this much by Christmas! :)