Month: July 2013

Categories
life

I bet you think this blog is about you. . .

Thoughts can easily take over a woman’s mind. They can start with sensory stimuli and them morph into a body of its own. Thoughts can become fire breathing dragons that block out the sun (and any knights in shinning armor). That is, if you don’t slay the dragon.

Thoughts can cause cesspools to form on dry land in the middle of a Saharan drought. It only takes a second, and your life can begin to spin, with you smack dab in the middle.

What causes this? Your past, fear, doubts, former patterns of success (yes, success can cause whirl winds too), and thoughts of the future. The unknown can paralyze a giant. The Bible says without faith, it is impossible to please God. Well, I believe without faith, it’s impossible to be happy (and subsequently, control your thoughts). The Hebrews 11:1 definition of faith deals with the unknown. If we constantly worry about that which we do not control, how can we defeat the dragon?
Did I loose you? It’s ok, I’m random at times. The point is this, women are emotional. It’s in our fabric. Maybe with the additional rib, and womb, we received extra ability to emote. Emotions are powerful, and when applied correctly, they can prove useful. When emotions overtake thoughts, and that cancer begins to turn into the snowball that leaves us in shambles- we have a problem. Faith eliminates the opportunity for one to be overrun! Is it easy? Absolutely not! What in life, worth having, comes easy. If it were easy, men would understand women (and visa versa). If it were easy, there would be no need for wars or disputes. Taming the beast with faith means surrendering the thoughts that mule over your logic. It means trusting in the One whom you can not see, but surely feel.
No this blog wasn’t about anyone else. It’s a written reminder that I must continue to work at my faith. The many giants in front of me won’t back down. So I must fight to tame and then salt them. Do you fight dragons in your spare time too?

Ivy Out

Categories
life

Proverbs 19:21

Proverbs 19:21

::no caption needed::

Categories
life

You are being watched

There are eyes on you, and you may never know who they belong to.

There is a picture circulating around the web and the caption says something like: I wanted to quit, then I realized who was watching. In the picture, it’s usually a parent and a child. I would like to attribute this to your life.

Someone, somewhere is looking up to you. Sometimes, you are blessed to hear from that person. They will tell you how watching you helped them. It’s an humbling moment. When you are aware that you’ve contributed to the success of someone else, you become significant. However, if they never tell you, be significant anyhow.
It’s not just the victorious moments that motivate others, the transparent ones do a great deal! It reminds people that to err is to be human. It lets them know that they can keep going.

I watch many people. I admire most, from afar. Subliminally: thank you. For those who watch me, I pray that I don’t let you down;).

IVY Out

Categories
life

Won’t Back Down

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I just watched “Won’t Back Down” (the movie) and cried my eyes out. What an honor and privilege it is to teach. You work more than contracted hours, you spend a lot of your own pay check, you nurse wounds and counsel tween concerns, you hang custom art, erase graffiti, hear broken phrases and profanity, dry tears, provide lunch money, buy clothes and school supplies, toggle state and district paperwork, grade 130+ papers, oh yea.. you personally get to greet and touch a generation one heart at a time. Teachers are not perfect, but we are called. Despite the insurgence of “fall back” teachers that people ‘talk’ about, there are a LOT of educators who CARE ABOUT KIDS.  WE care. I care. 

I almost walked away from the impressionable minds that teach me. They mourned my grandmother and great aunt with me. When my mother had surgery, my students made cards. When I got my puppy, my students kept up with his life. They were just as much a part of my life, as I am apart of theirs. I have touched students for four years, this upcoming year is my fifth. I expect the best, there are no exceptions. That goes for Miss. Maiben as well!

Teaching: we are the one industry that all other industries rely on. Without us, where would a nation be? You wouldn’t be able to read this blog, if not for a teacher. Homage to those who taught and still teach me. (p.s. parents are a child’s FIRST teacher – homage to you too!!)

 

Smiling – Ivy Out

Categories
life

Have you ever been afraid to pray?

Disclaimer: If you are the type of person who has it all together, this post IS NOT for you. 

I don’t care how churchy, save or sanctified, fire filled, or pristine you may feel… honesty is necessary to read this post. I have experienced something a couple of times this year. I was afraid to pray. Not because I shun time with the Father, heavens no. I was afraid of the testing that comes after you have been in an encounter with God. You know when your spirit is full, your faith is on, your face is smiling, you feel good…and then…something begins to happen to that foundation you started with.

SEVERAL times this year, especially last school year, I would enter a mind numbing worship experience with the Lord. I would cry out in prayer from the very bottom of my soul. I’d pour out every bit of life I had, into the worship. I would “lay it on the throne” if you would. I would get to work with my spiritual armor on, right. Why then, did I NOT expect a battle? When I got to work stuff went “bad”…and fast. Today wasn’t detrimental, but it was not harmonious. Normally, things would continue to spiral downward until I was a puddle of “has been” on the floor. Not today. While I was still physically shaken, I remembered my time with BIG God. Adjective needed. I held on to the hope that the God that protects me, was still on duty. I am thankful that God doesn’t sleep. 

….regrouping. Realizing that your faith will be tested comes with the wisdom that you’ve got to be ready. Today, for two seconds, I almost regretted that test.

Know that THIS teacher always has the end in mind. God knows how strong you are, even when you don’t. He is not done with any of us. HE sustained me, He will sustain you as well. 

Pray. Worship. Fellowship with the Master. Then remain on alert. Shout victory early!!

 

Ivy Out

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