TGI - Not All Me

My Bible reading lately, however meager, has centered in 1 Corinthians.

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is not altogether a letter of praise. The Corinthian church had so many issues, but despite the issues, Paul opens the letter telling them that God would “sustain [them] to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:8). As I reread chapter 1 for the probably the 20th time in the past 3 weeks, this verse really struck me. Guiltless? Really?
Read through verses 4-9.
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (ESV from Biblegateway.com, bold mine)

Why was Paul thanking God for these people?

If you read the rest of the letter, it seems that they were still screwing up pretty badly. Why in the world would Paul be thanking God for these people?

He was thankful for these people because of God’s faithfulness in them.

How does this apply to my life as a teacher? Well, I can’t believe how much I keep screwing up. I say the wrong thing, act like a child (ask my 6th graders), fail to adequately prepare. Who gave me this job again?

I know the right way to do things, but for some reason, I struggle to get my act together. Instead of going to bed at a decent hour, I binge episodes of Sabrina the Teenage Witch (...don't judge). Instead of working on my curriculum map, I distract myself in the teacher workroom with coffee and treats. Instead of looking only to Jesus for my validation and provision, I compare myself to other first year teachers and feel like a lazy slob.
Then I read this passage, and I take a minute to really look my own growth. Yes, I am a sinner, but I am being sanctified day by day, growing and trusting God to change me. It’s not all on me. I do what I can do, and my good God fills in the gaps.

I am so thankful that he does; otherwise, I wouldn't be able to love the way I do. It seems like God's work in me is being accomplished. See the love I'm getting back?

Try to see your own growth. Accept grace, and trust that your actions in that past can't keep God from using you in the future. You aren't that powerful.

<3 Ashley

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. ~Romans 15:13 ESV

Chunky Snapchat Christian

During my interview for Cookson, the director asked my how I handle high levels of stress. I answered, rather vulnerably, “I gain weight.”

What I should have said was, “I overbook myself. Then, I binge watch TV or make more plans to hang out with people. I do no housework nor any exercise. I eat whatever I want and as much as I want."

Here’s the picture:
After a season of unavoidable hustle and bustle, I’m addicted to the busyness. I find myself unable to handle the nights alone, so I make more plans for “building relationships” every night. I lose all motivation to prepare healthy meals or exercise because I’m so exhausted from all of my activities. Therefore, I gain weight. After a few months of this, I need new clothes and a counselor.

Meanwhile, focused time alone with God disappears from my life. I sort of keep up with my Bible app reading plans, and sometimes I listen to worship music. I still act and talk like a Christian, and I still pray, but it’s like trying to maintain a long distance relationship using Snapchat.

Quickly popping in and out of others’ stories, I send a snap to Him, hoping He looks at it, but not completely believing He will do anything about it. After all, I only vaguely observe any snaps he sends to me.

When I first got to Cookson, I was so bored. I had few friends, no internet, and time. Lots of time. Loneliness followed me around my apartment at night, but God wrapped me tightly in his arms when it was hardest.

Flash forward a few months. Friends and family surround me on every side. Events fill up my calendar, and I am busy. I am spiritually empty, I am impatient with everyone, and my pants are too tight.

I’ve gone through this cycle twice in the past 8 moths, and in an effort to combat the busyness, this is now what my calendar looks like.

Yes. I have planned to Make No Plans.

Taking control of my schedule has given me motivation for a few other changes.

     

You know the saying, “A yes to one thing means is a no to something else”? I have decided that a “NO” to busyness means a “YES” to my sanity, my health, and my relationship with Jesus.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 15:13

Teacher Retreat

Oh, how blessed are we who teach. Especially we who teach at Cookson Hills.

This week we were blessed specifically by a group from Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. They prayerfully, and skillfully, created a time for the teachers to share our hearts with one another. We learned more about each other in one day than we thought possible. We spent the entire day telling our stories. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I will never forget what I learned about my brothers and sisters, and how God has used so many experiences of ours to create a work of art, a symphony, a perfect equation, a masterpiece of His own.

One of the ladies blessed us with her art. Using her calligraphy talents, she drew signs for anyone who wanted one. She asked for a name and a word and/or Bible verse to go along with it.

Here is mine. You may recognize the verse. 

On day two of our time, the SCC ladies took us to Incredible Pizza for a day of childish, rambunctious fun.

Here is the proof.


I am so thankful for the people out there who see what we do and partner with us to give an amazing group of young people an opportunity to see something more than the hurt and trauma of their pasts.

If you’d like more information about Cookson Hills and our mission, please visit www.cooksonhills.org.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~Romans 15:13