Blended Life of an Educator

Dear Thoughtful Educator:  ⁣ When it comes to transforming our minds, we’ve been told we need more discipline and willpower. ⁣ ⁣This is the world’s lie because this approach leaves us defeated and ashamed every time. ⁣ ⁣ We can’t fix ourselves on our own. We need spiritual strength, insight, and wisdom from heaven.  When I began teaching I was like you I had a big vision for changing the world and within the first month of school I realized that the “job” was going to be a lot more complicated than I had dreamed. My colleagues were on the comparison train and I was the youngest and least worthy of a voice than any who had earned their right at the table. But as I pressed into God’s vision for my school and my region, He began to unlock a whole new view of my role in education. He was teaching me who I was called to be, but I needed to make some changes first in my thinking about myself. It was at this pivotal point that I chose to submit my mind and he...

This is a blog entry from 2 years ago... It's exciting to look back and see the progress I've made with the Father about how I see myself and also how I view the NOW moments of motherhood, and the importance of my role as a mother to my children-- both chosen and bio. This entry also helps me to pause, even now, to remember that the intentionality of my thoughts is a learned habit. That's why we are reminded by Paul in in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to purposefully "demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." I have to make the active and intentional choice to reject the thoughts that object to God's truth about my identity, my call, my purposefulness as a mom and as an educator. I also need to demolish thought patterns that say my children won't change, my relationship with them will never breakthough their hard protective heart-shells. I need to...

What does it mean to be a Mom of Influence?  I believe it’s to be a mom that speaks life-- calling out the gold, in each of your children, reversing any curses spoken over them by speaking the truth over their minds and hearts. Influencing through prayer, constant prayer. Asking Papa for wisdom to know how to raise them in general, how to respond, unlock wisdom from Heaven, correct, teach, inspire and even how to start praying.  Being a mom of influence goes beyond the home, too. It’s being one who can share testimonies about what happens in your home that inspires others to want the same, breathes hope into hopeless places in the hearts of others and jumpstarts the expectancy in the places long (even for a moment!) taken over by despair. This all requires taking a breath and LOOKING at what is happening with my kids and not what is NOT happening. SEEING what God is doing in them and in me and not focusing on what any of us is not doing. It’s allowing Hope Himsel...

Have you really every needed to think of this question? If you’re a mom of small children, you know what I’m talking about. The moment you try to take a shower all hell breaks loose. The kids are crying about whatever and you realize that stepping into the shower is going to simply become more hassle than it’s truly worth. Plus there really won’t be time to shampoo And condition and use body wash. Shave your legs? You’ve got to be kidding, right?! I used to joke with other mom friends in the gym shower locker room that that was the best place to shave. We all agreed. Trying to keep the doors closed on my shower while I attempt to clean myself and my daughter roams the house, or rather stays real close to the shower while I am there just wishing to take a few moments to myself to refresh myself with nice smelling applications of soap and make myself feel pretty just by cleaning-- is anything but restful. Hence, the use of the gym shower! And the towel service is worth the whole $5 extra...

“Activate Your Confidence by keeping an alert mind and a thankful heart" (see Colossians 4:2). Recently I attended a women's conference where Rachel Hickson was the main speaker and she really got me chewing on where confidence comes from, or lack thereof. During the conference I learned that the definition of c onfidence (prior to 1975) was "A Feeling or belief that someone can rely on, believe or count on or trust on someone or something." Confidence had nothing to do with the concept of self or self-reliance, which is a wide-spread understanding today. Confidence depended on "Certain of truth. [As in] Confident in a belief." For example, we ask Kingdom Ambassadors, the King's kids are called to walk with this belief: I am confident of WHO’s I am and What I can do w/Him inside me. I have a confident life of freedom, hope, and liberty because I have a deep assurance of my place in Christ Jesus. This resolute assurance, which is a strong and steadfa...

Teacher, you are a conduit of God's Goodness  We are Ambassadors You are an ambassador of Heaven sent to establish His Kingdom wherever you have influence.   A  significant mentor in my life from the Seattle area, Andre Benjamin, spoke some life-changing truths into my heart as a young teacher. He'd remind me, "Y ou are an apostle, an evangelist, a pastor, a teacher, and a prophet as a Teacher." You need to declare the truth of God's word, what He says about who you are in Christ Jesus, over yourself daily. Take communion with Jesus daily to remind yourself that you're anointed to do the works of Jesus-- and that you're covered by His blood and His authority as you go about planning, writing curriculum, relating and redirecting students, teaching, conducting conferences and working with colleagues. You have a voice and it matters in the courts of Heaven and also on the earth because God has placed His favor upon your life and your position. He sees you and...

My name is Paul and I have been chosen by Jesus Christ to be his apostle, by the calling and destined purpose of God. My colleague, Timothy, and I send this letter to all the holy believers who have been united to Jesus as beloved followers of the Messiah. May God, our true Father, release upon your lives the riches of his kind favor and heavenly peace through the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One.  (Colossians 1:1-2 TPT) Like Paul, you have also been chosen by Jesus Christ to be his ambassador to a specific people for a purpose designed just for you!  He knows your personality, your demeanor, your skill-set, your giftings, and what makes you come alive. He knows what you’re capable of doing when you partner with Him. You have been united with Jesus and as a result you have received everything He deserves: the love and affection of Father God, favor with men and with God, the indwelling of His Spirit (God’s dunamis power to perform signs, wonders and miracles-- John 14:12). God ha...