I experienced this very thing in my own life as a little girl. I grew up on the island of Trinidad, where my parents were missionaries. All the missionary kids went to a little school just for MK’s. We had one teacher and we all were in one room. There were only about 9 of us and she taught every grade. My teacher’s name was Miss Gibble. She was also a missionary, and she was a very tough teacher. She did not make school a fun place to be. I feared her and did not enjoy school. One day and I can remember this day as if it was yesterday; I was having a hard time grasping a Math concept. I was only eight years old and just not understanding. Instead of helping me, she told me how dumb I was. At that moment, my heart shattered, and I began to cry. She proceeded to call me a crybaby. That was it. My heart was broken, and now I really didn’t like school. I dreaded to go and was glad when the day was over. The next year, she left to go back to the states. Another missionary became our teacher, and something amazing happened. She spoke kindness and love to us. She helped us and showed us that she cared. That was what my heart needed. Her words and kindness were healing to me. She made me love school. She made me love school so much that I wanted to become a teacher myself. Her name is Mrs. Gwen Broucek, and I have told her several times that she is the reason I am a teacher today.

I am sure we all can think of times when someone’s words crushed us and broke our hearts. But I am sure we can also think of those people who spoke life into us. Proverbs 12:18 tells us, “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Just as I tell my first graders that we need to speak kind words, I need to make sure my words encourage and build up others and not tear them down. God warns us over and over in His Word to watch our tongues. He knows that our small tongues can do major damage. In James 3:3-6, he compares our tongues to a flame of fire. But God also tells us in Proverbs 16:24 that “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

What I learned was that your firm footing can resist the waves. When the waves were growing in strength, I decided to turn my back and let the brunt of the waves hit me. I was standing in a good place, but the waves hit hard. There were times when I almost fell over because the waves were so powerful. The waves reminded me that we have to know what we believe in because we have no idea of the waves' strength; we just know that the waves are coming.

One wave that forced me to change my position was to make sure I was grounded. This often happens in our life with our faith and with our parenting. Something happens, and you have to reassess your position. This reassessment focuses us on selecting a position and seeking the word of God for instruction. For example, I was frustrated because we could not find parking. I had to stop the car and let my wife drive. This could have turned into an argument, but I would not let it. I reminded myself that we are to be slow to anger and that there was a better way. Rather than ruin my vacation, I surrendered those responsibilities to my wife. No one expects their child to come home overwhelmed by the day, by homework, and by sports, but it happens. This is an example of a wave that you know is coming, but you have no idea how large it will be until it hits. When that wave hits, you have a choice, will you allow your emotions to take over, or will you stand firm and begin to have some conversations.

The waves do not address every area of life, but they force you to ask God to help prepare you for whatever is coming.

To fully understand this verse, we have to look at the context and what was going on with the Israelites. Prior to this verse, God reminds His people (through his prophet Micah) of all that He had done for them in the day of Moses. God delivered them from slavery, protected and provided as they traveled, and then fulfilled a promise of freedom.

It was personal because it reminded them of how their past had indeed changed their future. However, this reminder served as a challenge to their beliefs; the prophet sensed that their actions did not match their hearts. They had strayed away from God on the inside. As we would say it, God's chosen people were going through the motions but lacked true belief and commitment to the God that had been so faithful to them time and time again.

So, where are we today in our walk with Jesus? As teachers, parents, and students, do we believe and trust in God who has done so much for us? Does it show both outwardly and on the indise? That is the first true step of faith. This understanding is that each person must make a personal decision to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Believing in Jesus is the catalyst that ignites a desire to do what is right, love others, and follow the example of Jesus.

As our belief in God transforms our hearts, our lives are completely changed, we become distinct in our identities that are reflections of God's grace and love. This Distinct Identity is what we long for, not as a requirement to be recognized, but as an expression of our love and devotion to Jesus.

This year, let's focus on being distinctly identified, not only as a Titan but most importantly, as a Christ-follower in all that we do.

- We would go to the library to look up subjects that we had to learn. Now we have all of the knowledge at our finger tips with the computer, but in some ways, we haven’t gotten any smarter.

- No one used to want to get up to answer the home phone, but now we practically kill ourselves trying to answer our cell phones driving 70 mph down the interstate.  People carry their phones everywhere and some even have them on their wrist.

- Everyone used to sit on the front porch and wave to their neighbors, but now we sit on the back deck so no one can see us and we don’t have to talk to anyone.

Times sure have changed, but God is still the same.  Isn’t it comforting to know that the Lord knows every hair on our heads and wants to hear from us with our prayers?  Let us never forget that God is in control.  He will never leave us or forsake us.  No matter how much the world changes, God will always stay the same.  God still heals, protects, loves, provides, redeems, and comforts.  We are to love Him, trust Him and believe in Him.  His word is absolute truth.  Isn’t it so nice to know that in a world full of change, we can always and forever trust and believe in our unchanging God?

I was the one standing in front of my students giving my all each and every day. I believe I pulled my mask down to speak over a million times this year. God had so much for me to share with your student, and I taught them from every single area of my heart. I went above and beyond to see that I completed God’s task this year. I trusted in Him to do His work through me. My students learned to read my smiling eyes that were hiding beneath my mask as they mastered something new. I hope I am sending home a wiser student who knows his/her teacher loved them unconditionally just as God loves us.  I hope I instilled a love for learning, and I cannot wait to see how far God will take them from here.  Simply put, I pray they learned that God is always in control, and we were put together for a specific reason. 

Did you notice me even though I was wearing a mask?

I was the one sitting at my desk in front of my teachers. I was respectful and wanted to learn.  I did my work, and I did my best on everything I turned in. I trusted the Lord to do His work through me. I obeyed the rules, and I gave all my heart. I gained knowledge because I wanted an education. I wanted to make a difference, and I did my part. My teacher and I were a team, and we made God’s wishes come true.  God created me to be a Christian and a smart student. No mask could prevent me from learning about the love God feels for me.  My teacher proved to me that wearing a mask can’t stop God’s love from showing.

Did you notice me even though I was wearing a mask?

I am the parent who worked hard at my job and still found time to help with homework. Even though I was weary from working all day, I was a team player, and I kept the love of God radiating from my home. I gave encouragement and unconditional love to my child as they learned something new each day.  I did my part, and I played a valuable role in educating my child.  I had days that I was overwhelmed with running my household and trying to get all the homework completed.  However, we did it, and God’s love still could not be masked.

Together, we were a team.  Even though a mask may have covered our faces, it could never stop God’s plan for us. We learned to overcome the obstacles and let God take the lead.  We trusted in Him, and He wrapped His arms around us each day. Our school year was a huge success!  You just can’t mask God’s love!

I recently heard the new song from the Christian group, Mercy Me, titled “Say I Won’t.” This song resonated with my heart, and God used it to speak to me about thoughts that have been on my mind. The song talks about living each day fully, not just happy with being alive. So many of us live to make more money, have a big house, a nice car, and all the finer things of life. We work to get more, but we work so hard we have no time to give to our loved ones. Some of us live for the busyness of life, and we take on more and more commitments. Maybe we think the more we do, the more important we are, or perhaps we are working for the praise and recognition from others. But we can take on so much that we are exhausted and frayed, and by the time we make it home, we have nothing left to give to our family. Some of us carry burdens, deep hurts, and scars that we are living just to get through the day. 

None of these are God’s desires for us. In John 10:10, Jesus says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” The Lord has pressed this upon my heart lately. Maybe it is because of all that has happened this past year with covid and everything that has come with that, but I want to live each day with my heart, eyes, and hands open to all that God has planned. To go through each day with a song in my heart. I desire a life that focuses on the essential things that money can’t buy – precious time with family and friends. Psalm 90:1 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Sometimes we go about our days as if we always have tomorrow. But, none of us know when our last day will be. This past year has made me desire to live each day as if it is my last. I want to shower love and time on my family, friends, and those I come in contact with each day. As the song “Say I Won’t” says, “I’m gonna run. No, I’m gonna fly. I’m gonna know what it means to live and not just be alive.” We need to make the most of each day and live the abundant life God desires for us. For myself, I want to be full of life, just like springtime. Just as the flowers leave a beautiful fragrance in the air, I desire to leave God’s fragrance with those around me. I want my family and friends to know how precious they are and that they are deeply loved. That comes by giving them what matters most, my precious time because one day time will be no longer for me. I don’t want my children to remember me by talking about how clean my house was or how hard I worked through the years. I want them to remember the time spent together and laugh about the wonderful memories. Memories are made by giving our most precious gifts – our time and attention. There is nothing more important in life than the people God has placed in our lives. So, let’s live the abundant life God wants for us. Let us never miss an opportunity to shower love and our undivided attention on those around us. Even on those difficult and dark days, as Mercy Me says, “I will be dancing when circumstances drown the music out.” Let us live as if this could be our last day because one day it will be. One day time will be no longer for us, and what are we going to leave behind. Let us love God deeper and the precious people He has blessed us with. Each morning thank God for another day, and then let us live with abundance every day!

There have been many times in my life that fear has held me in its grip because of not letting God fully take control. Once I release control and give it over to God the fear of the unknown is gone, and everything works out for the best. Living in fear cannot be a way of life for the Christian. Fear controlling your every action goes against God’s word. II Timothy 1:7 states “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Fear takes away your joy and love for everything you do. This has not only been a difficult lesson for me to learn but also one I see with many of my students. Fear can be a powerful tool to motivate us in one direction or another.

My hope for your families within these next few months is to let fear not to take over your life but give everything to God. This might take some time to change our attitudes and habits by including this step. Reminding myself of this everyday can be a challenge but one I glad take on. I want to leave one last thought with you fear is not something new and does not catch God off guard. Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Jesus looked to His Father for guidance throughout His entire ministry--from His first act of "doing His Father's business" to His final act on the cross--He was a man but yet showed complete submission to the will of His Father. You know that wasn't easy. He was challenged His entire time here on earth, yet looked upward for direction. Have you ever needed to speak to one who "considered themselves an expert" in an effort to correct them…or at least make them think? Jesus did it over and over again. Those who observed the religious laws and rituals couldn't quite understand how simple child-like faith in a Savior could be enough. Not to mention how Jesus would pay that price. And don't think for one moment that what Jesus did was just easy…though He was fully God, He was also fully man…so that doubt, disappointment, and feeling of being destitute had to exist within Him, but yet He followed His Father's plan. 

If Jesus can look to His heavenly Father, then I can too. The unrest must be part of God's plan, so our eyes must be on Him. Not on people or things, but on Him. There's a quote that goes something like, "If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you'll be at rest." He is the only peace during the chaos and the orchestrator of a perfect plan for you. As we look to our Father for guidance, we must do so with a spirit of zeal.

Jesus did His earthly work with a spirit of enthusiasm, no matter the dynamics of that specific day. We see Him face multitudes and handfuls, supporters and skeptics--opposing opinions and yes, even those that were "humanly" responsible for His crucifixion (Yes, well aware He chose to give His life). Yet, we never see a hesitation or dread or a negative remark toward anything or anyone He faced. Jesus was the living example of being excited to make the right choices in a society where so many were making wrong choices. It sounds like today, doesn't it? Secular culture has created a culture of what is morally and Biblically wrong into appearing "right." So many are confused and disillusioned; they are excited over temporary situations rather than eternal investments. According to His Word—as Jesus did, we need to be living out the words, actions, and attitude that mimics our Creator and Savior. As we live out our faith, we want others to see Christ in us.

Micah 6:8 sets a standard of doing right, loving-kindness in a spirit of humility. Did we see Jesus do this? Yes--He was an unwavering model of humility. He never boasted. He never acted better than those He chose to serve. He never said "I told you so"--not even to Peter after he had denied Him. 

Do you remember what He said, "Do you love me?" Not "are you sorry" or "I'm really disappointed"--but "do you love me?" So at a point in Peter's life where it would have been effortless for him to turn away from his walk with God, Jesus steps up and reminds him that he has a mission to do for an eternal purpose.  

So how do I cope with the uncertainty of today? Here are my suggestions:

1. Stick close to your Heavenly Father. Our view is tunnel-vision, while His panoramic view stretches as far into our future as we can fathom….and even farther.    
2. Rest in Him and know that through the unknown, He brings the extraordinary. 
3. As we look to our Father, be excited about what He can and will do through you. We don't have all of the answers—and we never will.  
4. Serve Him anyway--"with all of your heart and soul and mind." Not because others are doing it, but because He has called you to make a difference for Him. 
5. As we walk with Him, let's be humble and remember that it is by His power that we have been blessed with talents and abilities.  

During this season of unrest, we have the confidence to look to the author and finisher of our faith, knowing that He has us in his hand…no matter what the future holds.