My career as an educator was more than a job. More than a “dream job.” It was a beautiful calling. It was a gift. I was a teacher. I loved my students, my teaching colleagues, the joy of making a positive difference in someone’s life.
Today I had the wonderful privilege of reconnecting with a student who was in my first and then second grade classrooms back around 1969-70. Today she is a teacher – and has been honored by being selected as the Turlock School District and Stanislaus County “Teacher of the Year.” Congratulations to Eva Marquez Lear!! Thank you for expressing your gratitude and recounting your love and reaching out to tell me I was one main reason you decided to become a teacher. It’s more than our “dream job” … it’s our calling, our gift … pass it on. God bless you!!
Yesterday’s prompt was: What skills or lessons have you learned recently?
My answer: “It took four accidents in a three month period, but I finally got the message, I think:
SLOW DOWN
AND
LOOK
WHERE YOU’re WALKING!!”
It’ll take a lot of divine guidance, but I think I can slow down and watch! Avoid any further falls!!
How about you? What lesson have you learned recently?
Today the sermon topic was based on the Bible story of Zechariah and Elizabeth’s awe-inspiring birth of baby John (later known as John the Baptist). Zechariah learned not to doubt God’s messenger who told him that he & Elizabeth would at last have a child (they were in their later years of life… maybe as old as their 90’s).
When Zechariah doubted, he was struck dumb… unable to speak for the 9 months of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. But, even though Elizabeth questioned, she accepted and believed. So, she learned that great lesson, “With God all things are possible.”
Do you suppose she was awe-struck? How could she NOT be??
I would have painted them with gray hair… but nevertheless, I love this painting of Zechariah & Elizabeth. I can only imagine how awe-struck they must have been!
What causes you to be in awe these days? Have you learned to slow down and let awe envelop you?
(If you’ve followed JanBeek for awhile, you know I love taking notes in poetry as I listen to the sermon each week). So, on that awesome topic, here’s today’s encouraging sermon delivered by Rev. Mary Grace Reynolds at our Madison Valley Presbyterian Church.
I love the size & sound & the creatures in the ocean I love climbing over the sand dunes to the beach It is sitting on the grassy knoll by the shore Knowing the salty water and waves are within reach
I love oogling at sunsets and standing in the river The world gives me reason for wonder and awe Everywhere I look, I see evidence of God’s wondrous creation Regular bouts of awe are mine – they drop my jaw!
Elizabeth’s healthy baby boy brought awe To all who saw Zechariah write and confirm “John” Entering into the world of awe raises us up Out of night’s darkness, into day’s dawn
Awe can be found every day from sunrise on If we slow down and take time to really see So don’t drown in the tedious mundane of life Intentionally seek the awe – here for you and me
Let no day go by unmarveled at Appreciate the luxury of every single day We are so blessed to be here - alive Let awe and amazement be yours today
Be the #1 Marvelor today! Love and be loved – feel the pull That helps you notice all in awe Change awful to awe-full!!
Awe-men?
It may have been awful to be unable to speak for nine months. But, I’ll bet Zechariah learned new lessons every day as he watched Elizabeth grow large with child …. and as he marvelled at how amazing this turn of unbelievable events was!
Find something to marvel at today! Learn something new.
You have access to all the power you need You just gotta be sure to plug in Connect to the source of your power It’s available to you even if you’re shut in
Like a mighty wave or hurricane Power can evoke awe or cause destruction What’s the source of your power? There’s a ready source… what’s your deduction?
I bet you know where I’m going With this line of reasoning. Yup, the power I have in mind Is filled with the best spiritual seasoning!
In yesterday’s Mornings With Jesus devotional comments by Karen Sargent, she shared an experience she had with power cords. She was preparing for a presentation using various technology. Thinking she might need an extension cord, she added it to her equipment. However, after setting everything up, she realized she didn’t have the part she needed. Sargent wrote,
“… There was a problem. In one hand I held a three-prong plug on my laptop cord. In the other, a two-prong plugin. I checked the projector cord. Three prongs. Without the ability to tap into the electrical source… my technology was useless. I couldn’t power up.”
Sargent extrapolated, “That wasn’t the first time I’d failed to tap into a power source. Sometimes I function on two-prong faith. I know Jesus can do anything… And through Christ who strengthens me, I can do all things (Philippians 4:13). But how often do I connect to the power of the Holy Spirit, the mighty third prong?”
Karen Sargent’s message spoke to me. Yesterday friends helped us install Our Christmas tree here at home – Tucked in along the north-east wall.
We plugged the lights in after A lot of struggle to assemble it. Look closely at the lights there A section is missing … do I resemble it?
Do I lack a portion of my power Because I’m not plugged in totally? The message hit me with a jolt. It fit my plight anecdotally!
Karen Sargent ended her reflections with these thoughts:
“After His resurrection, Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, ‘Receive ye the Holy Spirit’ (John 20:22). But it wasn’t until Jesus ascended into heaven that the Holy Spirit empowered them. Unlike that useless extension cord… the ultimate power source, The Holy Spirit, is always on hand.”
God will send you beauty In the skies and on the land Look for His surprises everywhere Many of them really are quite grand
It’s hunting season here in Montana So the deer and antelope are convinced If they come here to our yard They’re protected as if they’re fenced
Something good happened here today The doe and the buck stuck around I enjoyed their company – you would, too Shhh… don’t scare them. Don’t make a sound!
They see me; they hear my steps Off they go – but they’ll return Good things happen here You’re safe, my friends. Come and learn!
The word for today is PEACE. In a world of chaos, dear Lord, Let there be peace on earth. Let me be an instrument of that peace.
We may not be able to control What everyone else on earth does, But we can control what we do. Are you determined to be a peacemaker?
I want to be a peacemaker. In spite of the chaos in this world, I want to make peace where I am. That may be all I can control.
And I can pray to our Father in Heaven, “Let there be peace on earth! Place the message of peace In the hearts of today’s rulers.”
“Lord. I know you have overcome the world. I know you also have given man free will. Lord, place common sense and compassion In the wills of those who are waging war!
Let there be peace on earth!! And help me find peace in my little corner of it!”
As St. Francis of Assisi prayed, “Make me a Channel of Your Peace.” I love Susan Boyle’s voice singing that prayer. Take a minute to listen to it… and internalize it!
To find peace in my place in the world, I may have to turn off some of the news. I MAY HAVE TO SHARPEN MY SENSE OF HUMOR, And pass some chuckles on to my friends!
Just once, I want a username and password prompt to say CLOSE ENOUGH.
I may have to find reasons to laugh In spite of the sadness and devastation. I may have to look for reasons to laugh, Reasons to pass along a sense of optimism.
I want to be a realistic optimist! The pessimist complains about the wind The optimist expects the wind to change The realist adjust his sails
What will you do today to add peace to your little corner of the world? I am looking for the peace of editing this post and getting rid of the oversized font! What’s happening??
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
Well, it depends on how you’re looking at the word, huh? ASSet? Or maybe who you are and what you do?
If you are a gastroenterologist, (a GI doctor) like Dr. Gentry, who last Sunday performed Bob’s colonoscopy, then you’re looking for a clear anus!!
Oh my! TMI ?? Too much information!!
BUTT (oops!) BUT, hey, we just went through this weekend from hell… and if you’ve read my previous coupla blogs, you know what I mean. And maybe you are waiting for an update?
Bob received wonderful care at the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital. The nurse, Ann-Marie, was the reason he was smiling like this! She was as efficient as she was beautiful!
What’s a woman’s greatest asset? She was kind, caring, efficient, and professional. A real delight! Aren’t those the perfect qualities for a nurse? (Or any of us, for that matter!)
Let me digress for a minute, OK? While Bob was waiting and waiting for his procedure, (it was scheduled for 8:00 am and got bumped twice because of emergencies), I decided to go get something to eat. Neither Bob nor I had anything solid for about 48 hours!
I was sitting at the counter at Jam! (my favorite breakfast place in Bozeman) when the hostess seated a coupe next to me. I glanced up from the CA church service that was live-streaming on my cell phone and said, “Hi!” to the couple. Then I went back to listening to our son, Ty, who was delivering the sermon at his church in Placerville, California. (Isn’t modern technology wonderful?!)
That’s Ty with me – taken last summer… We’re so proud of his decision to pursue the ministry.
Anyway, I digressed… What I wanted to share with you was the way God worked miracles in our lives every time we turned around last weekend!
I was listening to Ty’s sermon when I heard the customer recently seated to my left say, “Hello, Mrs. Beekman.”
Surprised, I looked up… and I studied the handsome young man’s face. “Neighbor? Crowley?? Are you Cole?” I had not seen him in a coupe of years. He and his family live right across the road from us. He’s been away at college. What are the chances in a restaurant with 100+ people that Cole would be seated right next to me??
“When things happen in your Christian walk of faith and you say to yourself what a coincidence, you should know that it’s not, it is God’s hand in your life.”
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Open your hands and your heart for God to fill them!
Cole and I chatted for a while, got caught up on what’s new with him and with us… and I went back to listening to Ty’s sermon on-line. Cole & his girlfriend said their good-byes with “Let me know if you need anything.”
When the sermon was over and it was time to get back to Bob before he went in for his procedure, guess what? I asked for the bill…
“That couple that was next to you paid for your breakfast!”
Every time I turned around, God was working His miracles through the generosity, kindness, professionalism, and compassion of others!!
See that latte pictured up there? Do you think it was a coincidence that a happy bee is floating on the top?
Remember, Bob is a retired beekeeper/almond farmer. No accident that they made my dirty chai latte with almond milk and God sent the bee here to say, “Hah! Here I am to remind you Bob is in good Hands! I’ve gotcha covered!”
I got back to the hospital in time to say a prayer with Bob before he was wheeled in.
It was only a short time when he was wheeled back to the room.
Shortly, the doc came in with the good news, “You have a beautiful anus for an 84 year old!” (See, there’s that asset I was telling you about) Only a GI doctor with 25,000 colonoscopies under his belt would be so observant, right?
“Everything is OK! Whatever was causing the bleeding (no doubt diverticulitis) has healed itself. No surgery needed. Eat more fiber. Drink more water.”
Bob was given his marching orders with instructions to follow-up in a week with his primary care doc here in Ennis.
But before they checked us out and sent us happily on our way, Bob was given solid food (ah, a turkey sandwich never tasted so goood!) We were sent home with grateful hearts. Praise the Lord!!
I believe in miracles. We just experienced more than one. Look for God’s miracles. Expect them. He is busy delivering them every day!
God bless you! Thank you for all your prayers. We love you. Bee well!!
Oh, by the way, what do you think is Man’s Best Asset?
11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” saith the Lord, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
God promises to give us hope and a future. Grace gives me a chance to clean up today’s messes and try again. Be ready for that prosperous, expected end!
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6 (NIV)
Sprinkle the salt of peace. Express the joy of happiness. Smile and let the love of the One who wants only to prosper you shine forth!
Guidepost’s Mornings With Jesus challenged its readers yesterday to “Thank Jesus for seasoning you with His grace” – and “Write down specific ways He has prospered you so you can be salt and light in the world today.”
God provided blue skies. He sent rain to clear the haze. The grass is greening and the flowers are blooming.
I can’t make these things happen… Only God can control the seasons. He sends the sun by day and the moon by night. These are blessings I don’t take for granted.
What are some of the specific ways God has prospered you recently?
I am blessed by your visit here today. Thank you for following JanBeek.
I am gratified by the new followers who have joined us recently.
Written
on October 13, 2023