New Beginnings

One week of school completed. How many to go? Actually, let’s not count that number. The first week of school is always the beginning. The beginning of what you ask? Well, that’s up to you to decide. Is it the beginning of another dreadful year or the beginning of a year of growth? Is this the year you are going to surrender those areas of your life that you tend to hold on to and give them to the Lord? Is this the year to break out of your comfort zone and reach out to others?

To be completely honest, I was very ready for the school year. I like schedules, routines, and school. Yes, you read that right, I like school. Must be the teacher in me coming out. But seriously, I was more ready than I had ever felt. But I wasn’t just looking forward to school, I was most importantly looking forward to what God was going to do through me and how He was going to change me.

Before this school year even started, God started working in my heart in a way I had never experienced before. He was challenging me to reach out to others. Personally, I am not a super outgoing person-I am a simple introvert. Going out of my comfort zone is really scary for me at times, but I knew if this was something God wanted me to do, I was going to do it-but only through His strength. I felt Him preparing my heart for this opportunity and I started to really pray about it.

At the end of last year, I was given the opportunity to become a CRU leader. Something that really blew my mind was that I had been praying about it and then one day I was asked. I have already felt the Lord stretch me in so many ways! It’s only been a week, but I can only imagine how different of a person I will be at the end of the year! I’ve never felt the need to reach out to other people-I always let my own selfishness take over that part of me-but God has been teaching me the importance of that. As I’ve experienced those times this week I have felt uncomfortable, excited, and amazed at the boldness that the Lord has given me. As I continue this journey, I know it will only get better.

The first week of classes has been overwhelming but exciting. My professors have been so inspiring and passionate about the field of education-it only makes me that much more excited. I’m realizing the responsibility and influence I will have as a teacher-I definitely feel intimidated but I know this is what the Lord has called me to do in this season of my life. I am so thankful that He has called me into the mission field of education. I am thankful that He has ignited this passion in my heart to love on children, teach them, and continue to be changed personally. I am very excited to become a teacher, but in the meantime, I have SO much to learn.

I feel like my life is chaotic to say the least. College tends to do that to my life. The homework, clubs, work, classes, etc, life never stops moving. It can be challenging to know if and when to add another commitment. I am excited to get involved with my church’s children’s ministry called River City Kids. At first I was hesitant with everything I had going on, but I want to serve God with the gifts and passions that He has given me. If I’m not serving Him, I am wasting what He has given me. 

As for work, I have a new group of 28 first graders. What an exciting week it was. I know this year is going to be a challenge, but I have seen myself grow so much through this job. I can’t believe I have been working at the Y for almost two years. This job has been a handful, but it is only going to prepare me more to be a teacher, and I get to hang out with 28 wonderful first graders every day. That is a blessing within itself.

This week was full of new beginnings and opportunities. It was crazy. It was exciting. It was overwhelming. But it is my new beginning. A year to grow closer to my Heavenly Father. A year to create new friendships with my brothers and sisters in Christ. A year to step out of my comfort zone and to see Him stretch me. A year to see in what areas I sin and how I need Christ even more. A year to experience Christ in a deeper passion. This is a year that God is going to blow away my expectations.

This is my new beginning. What’s yours?

With Blessings,

Heather