Satin's Lair

Yesterday, as an intro to the novel The Giver, I had students get into groups and design their perfect world (the book is about a utopian society).  On their posters groups had to brainstorm various aspects of their world--government, punishment, technology, marriage, family structure, etc.  A group of boys decided to create "Satan's World" as their "paradise" claiming to want to go against the norm.  Luckily none of the content was actually satanic...the extent of their "satanism" was "totalitarian rule (by an actually very cute red devil figure they drew)," "school 365 days a year," and "immediate death penalty for any transgressions."

I admit this was slightly disturbing, but when they presented their world to the class, I noticed that, by the grace of God, they had spelled the words incorrectly and their planet actually became, "SATIN'S WORLD." 

Now I'm just wondering if I need to reintroduce weekly spelling tests... 

GOD can do it!

At the beginning of the year (a mere three weeks ago, I realize) I dedicated this year to God, telling him that I would trust that He would take care of me.  I did this because I realized how full my plate was.  On top of my work (which is already more than a full time job, as many teachers can attest), I had youth group and New Life, was starting grad school, got involved as a part of the EMPOWER conference planning committee, and was asked to help revise the curriculum that was used on E-Camp, our short term missions trip to Korea last summer.  All of this was way too much for me to handle alone, and I knew that.  So I thought that trusting in God would ensure my success in all of these responsibilities. 

Well, no surprise when three weeks go by and I'm at my wit's end trying to stay afloat.  Sunday afternoon I got a call from the founder of E-Camp, Pastor Peter.  He was in town from LA and wanted to meet up.  I thought he had called to ask me to begin the curriculum revisions, and being as wiped as I was on Sunday, I was tempted to just give up (part of me, as my attitude would have told you, already did by then).  Being given a little time to pray before meeting up with Pastor Peter, I asked God why He'd given me so much.  Later that night, seeing Pastor Peter was so great.  He has this amazing gift of encouraging people and making them feel genuinely inspired, equipped, and able.  And not only did he re-energize me and remind me of my long term vision, but he also had the greatest news ever--CTS and E-Camp had generated enough funds to HIRE a full-time professional curriculum director for the revisions!  Despite how I had JUST complained about how God had given me too much and lacked the faith to believe it would all be taken care of, He still took care of the situation and reminded me that he WAS in control and would carry me through, if I just believed and let him. 

I think I'll be revisiting Too Busy Not to Pray once again....